Frequently Asked Questions
[Glossary]
1. What are the three kinds of gifts I can give to KenCrest Centers ?
Generally speaking, during your lifetime you can make an outright
gift of cash, securities or other property (e.g., real estate, personal
property).
Upon your death you can make a gift through your will or
revocable trust, or through a distribution from a retirement
plan or life insurance policy.
You also have the option of making a gift that returns lifetime payments to
you, your spouse, or other individuals, such as a charitable
gift annuity or charitable
remainder trust.
2. What sort of assets can I use to make a gift?
Almost anything: cash, publicly traded securities, the balance in your retirement
account. Other assets can be very valuable but are more complicated to administer
and must be reviewed by us before we can accept them as gifts: real estate,
closely held stock and artwork.
3. What tax deduction will I receive for my gift?
It depends on the form your gift takes:
- Outright gifts to KenCrest Centers generate a full income-tax
charitable deduction. Outright gifts of appreciated securities are deductible
at fair market value, with no recognition of capital gains - a great tax
benefit!
- Gifts of personal property, like art, books and collectibles, are fully
deductible so long as they are relevant to our mission. We can advise you
on this point.
- Bequests do not generate
a lifetime income tax deduction. They are exempt from estate tax, however.
- Similarly, life insurance distributions
to KenCrest Centers are not income-tax deductible, but are exempt
from estate tax.
- A lifetime gift of an insurance policy to KenCrest Centers generates
a deduction for the value of the policy. If you give a policy with premiums
still owing, you may also deduct annual gifts that offset our premium payments
(for more details on this point, see Question 5 below).
- The charitable deduction for a gift that makes payments to you, such as
a charitable gift annuity or
a charitable remainder trust,
is the fair market value of the gift asset minus the present value of the
income interest you retain.
4. Can KenCrest Centers serve as the Executor of my estate?
No. State law, the limitations of our corporate powers, and our internal policies
prevent us from taking such a role in your affairs.
5. I want to set up a life insurance policy, name KenCrest Centers as
beneficiary, but retain ownership of the policy. Can I deduct the premium
payments I make?
No. The IRS would not consider that a "completed gift" - they'd
say that, as the owner of the policy, you could change the beneficiary designation
to a friend or family member. KenCrest Centers must be made the
irrevocable owner of the policy for gifts offsetting premium payments to be
deductible.
6. Can I transfer my IRA to KenCrest Centers to set up a life-income gift, and avoid income tax on the transfer?
New legislation gives donors aged 70½ and older an opportunity to direct lifetime distributions from their IRAs to us without incurring income tax liability on the withdrawal. The provision will be in effect for just the 2006 and 2007 tax years. Distributions can total $100,000 per year, and must be made outright — they cannot fund a life-income gift. Just e-mail us and we'll be happy to give you more information about this new charitable incentive.
Donors younger than 70½ can make a withdrawal from their IRA or other type of retirement plan, pay income tax on the withdrawal, and donate the proceeds to us. These gifts can be made outright or can fund a life-income gift and will generate a charitable deduction for the donor.
7. I'd like to donate a painting. Will you determine its value for my income
tax deduction?
No, we can't. The IRS requires that donors of artwork and collectibles secure
an independent appraisal of the items to establish fair market value. The appraisal
has to be related to the gift and an insurance appraisal won't suffice. We
can assist you on this point.
8. I'm interested in establishing a charitable
gift annuity. What financial provisions do you make for the income
payments to me and my husband?
Your charitable gift annuity will be treated as a general obligation of KenCrest Centers,
backed by all its assets. KenCrest Centers is in full compliance
with Pennsylvania provisions regarding non-profits' offering
of gift annuities. We have an unbroken record in making timely payments to
our annuitants, and that ongoing responsibility is a key element in our financial
policies.
9. If I create a bequest or life-income gift, will KenCrest Centers continue
to ask me for annual contributions?
We will, because the commitments address two different needs. Your planned
gift is a significant addition to our long-term financial strength — our
ability to meet the challenges and opportunities the future will bring. The
obligations and expenses that we encounter today, however, are met through
your annual gift. We are very grateful that you want KenCrest Centers to
succeed both today and in the future.
KenCrest Centers
502 West Germantown Pike
Suite 200
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(610) 825-9360 x210