Make a lasting impact on Ithaca Children’s Garden while maximizing the benefits of your retirement assets by giving through your 401k or IRA. If you’re 70½ or older, you can make tax-smart contributions directly from your regular IRA to support our mission of connecting children with nature. Here’s how you can make the most of your gift:
A tax-smart alternative to cash giving.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from Your IRA
If you are 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to Ithaca Children’s Garden, which counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution without being taxed as income. This allows you to give more while lowering your tax burden.
How a QCD Works:
- No Income Tax on the Distribution: Giving directly from your IRA excludes the gift amount from your taxable income, unlike regular withdrawals.
- Counts Toward Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD): If you’re 73 or older, a QCD can satisfy all or part of your RMD, helping you avoid penalties and extra taxes.
Give Up to $100,000: You can give up to $100,000 each year from your IRA through a QCD, making it a powerful way to contribute significantly to our programs.
Benefits of Giving Retirement Assets
- Tax Efficiency: Since gifts from your retirement accounts are tax-free, you can make a bigger impact at Ithaca Children’s Garden while reducing your taxable income.
- Simplicity: Your IRA custodian can help you transfer funds directly to Ithaca Children’s Garden, making it an easy, hassle-free way to give.
- Leave a Legacy: By including Ithaca Children’s Garden as a beneficiary of your IRA or 401k, you can leave a lasting legacy that nurtures future generations. Learn more about planned giving here.
Disclaimer: Ithaca Children’s Garden does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. We encourage you to consult with your legal or financial advisor before giving.
Ithaca Children’s Garden is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. TIN: 52-2291247. EIN: 52-2291247 ICG’s mailing address is 1013 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850. (This is different than our Physical address: 121 Turtle Way, Ithaca NY 14850.)
Faces of Philanthropy
Why do you love & support The Garden?
Photographer Sarah Clapp asked this question to some of ICG’s incredible members, partners, and Garden enthusiasts, and the outcome was simply beautiful. The resulting exhibition, Photographing Philanthropy for the Love of Humanity, debuted at ICG’s 2017 Annual Celebration and perfectly encapsulates the role of the Garden in the lives and hearts of ICG devotees. See for yourself!
“I was born and raised in Ithaca and I was looking for a way to give back to the community, a friend was on the board of the garden and I was intrigued by working with children to get them out into the natural world. Being part of educating a generation on the importance and wonder of the natural world is one of the many reasons I became involved with the garden.”
Ed
“My involvement with the Ithaca Children’s Garden started many years ago. I was able to work with the team involved, and I realized quickly that the team was very passionate which was inspiring. From the team, to the enjoyment I see in the faces of the children who explore it, being outdoors and interacting with nature, that connection with the natural world is amazing to see.”
Todd
“I know how much my children love the Garden, and I feel like the Garden is a place where I can contribute my unique skills to add to the already existing magic. I can see how the passion of the staff helps to make that magic happen which is one of the many reasons I love being a part of it.”