As a valued member of our community of park protectors, your generosity through cash gifts has fueled countless conservation projects, educational programs, and vital maintenance efforts across California's state parks. Your contributions have led to tangible improvements, preserving the beauty and accessibility of our parks for everyone. For this, we are immensely grateful. 

Today, we invite you to explore additional avenues for giving that can magnify your impact while offering you potential tax benefits. By considering options like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), donating stocks or other appreciated assets, making Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), workplace giving, or planned giving, you can continue to support our mission in powerful and tax-efficient ways. 

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): Simplify and Maximize Your Giving 

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) offers a flexible and strategic approach to philanthropy. Community foundations run a number of these funds and so do financial service companies such as Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard. You can set up a DAF through these institutions by opening an account and contributing assets, allowing you to recommend grants to charitable organizations. By directing a gift from your DAF to California State Parks Foundation, you can: 

• Simplify Your Giving: A DAF allows you to manage all your charitable donations from one account, making it easier to support your favorite causes. You also have the option to give anonymously, ensuring your privacy while still making an impact. 
• Enjoy Potential Tax Benefits: Contributions to your DAF are eligible for favorable tax deductions, helping you maximize your giving while aligning with your financial planning and providing the flexibility to donate at your own pace. 
• Make a Bigger Difference: Funds from your DAF can often enable you to make a more substantial gift, providing greater resources for significant conservation projects that will leave a lasting legacy. 
• Create Strategic Philanthropic Impact: With a DAF, you have the flexibility to support immediate needs or plan for future giving, ensuring that your philanthropic vision aligns with your values and the causes you hold dear. 

Your DAF gift can be a powerful statement of your dedication to preserving California’s natural beauty for future generations. We would be delighted to discuss how a gift from your DAF could align with your philanthropic strategy and our nonprofit's goals. 

Click here to learn more about DAFs. 
 

Donating Stocks or Other Appreciated Assets: Increase Your Giving Potential 

If you own stocks or other appreciated assets, donating them to California State Parks Foundation can be an incredibly effective way to support our mission. Here’s why: 

• Bypass Capital Gains Taxes: When you donate appreciated securities, you can often avoid paying capital gains taxes on the increase in value. This means you can give more without it costing you more. 
• Receive a Tax Deduction: You may be eligible for a tax deduction based on the full market value of the donated asset, further enhancing the financial efficiency of your gift. 

Imagine the additional impact you could have by donating stock that has significantly increased in value. Your contribution could support ongoing conservation efforts, educational programs, and improvement projects, all while providing you with potential tax savings. Use our free gift illustrator tool to calculate your potential deductions, tax savings, and other benefits instantly. 

Click here to learn more about gifts of stock.
 

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): A Tax-Efficient Way to Give from Your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) 

For individuals aged 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) can be a tax-efficient way to support California State Parks Foundation. Here’s how a QCD works:  

• Tax Efficiency: A QCD excludes the amount donated from your taxable income, even if you don’t itemize deductions on your tax return. 
• Satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): A QCD can count towards your RMD requirement, reducing the income tax liability that comes with these distributions. 
• Maximize Your Giving: By lowering your taxable income, a QCD may reduce your overall tax burden, potentially freeing up additional funds for your philanthropy. 

Your QCD could help restore delicate ecosystems, contribute to climate resilience efforts, or enhance programs that inspire the next generation of park stewards. This powerful legacy would reflect your enduring commitment to California’s natural wonders. 

Click here to learn more about giving from your IRA. 

Workplace Giving: Double Your Impact with Employer Matching Gifts 

Many employers offer workplace giving programs, allowing you to easily support California State Parks Foundation. One common way to participate is through employer matching gifts, where your donation can be doubled — or even tripled — by your employer. This is a simple yet impactful way to enhance your contribution to preserving California’s parks. To see if your employer offers matching gifts, check with your Human Resources department or explore the tool on our website to see if your employer has a matching gift program.  

Additionally, you can contribute through automatic payroll deductions, which offer a convenient way to give. By having a set amount automatically withdrawn from each paycheck, you can support our work in preserving parks without having to think about it. 

Click here to learn more about workplace giving. 
 

Make a Big Impact with a Future Gift 

When you include California State Parks Foundation in your estate plan, your generosity protects and preserves our state's park system for generations to come. Your thoughtful planning ensures that California’s diverse and culturally rich parks continue to inspire and delight future visitors. 

If you want to leave money to California State Parks Foundation in your will but also maintain the flexibility to change your plans if life circumstances shift, you can do both. In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift. This type of donation through your will or living trust helps ensure that we continue our mission to protect and preserve California's state parks for years to come. 

Click here to learn more about planned giving. 
 

Leave a Lasting Legacy 

Your commitment has already left an indelible mark on California's state parks. Imagine the legacy you could build by exploring these tax-advantaged giving options. Whether through a DAF, stock donation, or a planned gift, your support will ensure that our parks' beauty and accessibility continue to reach all who seek their wonder. 

We recognize that every donor's situation is unique and are happy to discuss how these strategies align with your philanthropic goals and our vision for parks. While this information can guide your tax-smart giving, please consult qualified financial and legal advisors to ensure your plan fits your goals. Together, we can protect and preserve California’s state parks for future generations.  

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