Ways to Give

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The Western Foundation provides an online opportunity to give to Western directly from your credit card.

From the simple outright gift to the complex estate plan, we are well versed in legal and tax benefits achieved with proper gift planning. The examples described below are only a few ways that we can plan a gift around your needs. As you know, certain methods of giving provide tax or estate planning benefits. You should consult your independent advisor before implementing any plan.

Cryptocurrency Donations

Are you into crypto? If so, Western Foundation wants to give you the opportunity to give it for the educations, lives and futures of our students. Western Foundation is ready and able to safely and securely accept your gift of cryptocurrency! Does it make tax sense to use crypto to make your gift? Yes! Cryptocurrencies are like any appreciated asset, including securities and real estate, in terms of taxes. No taxes are owed on the capital gains of assets donated to a charity, so the Western Foundation effectively receives more money, and you pay less taxes. Just as with appreciated stock, if you have held the cryptocurrency asset for more than one year, the tax deduction for your gift will be equal to the fair market value of the donated cryptocurrency (as determined by a qualified appraisal). By following this link follow the instructions to complete your donation through Coinbase Commerce with your Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Dai, Ethereum, Litecoin or USD Coin.

Cash Gifts

The simplest way to support Western is with your gift of cash. Making your check payable to “Western Foundation” will expedite handling. For those who wish to make monthly donations, we offer ACT (Automatic Contribution Transfer), a new option that allows your gift to Western to be automatically deducted from your bank account in smaller, more manageable, monthly installments. Visa and MasterCard are also welcome.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

You can direct your banking institution to issue payments directly to Western Colorado University on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Print off the EFT Form and return along with voided check to:

Western Colorado University Foundation
PO Box 1264
Gunnison, CO 81230

Gifts of Appreciated Property

Depending on the circumstances, gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds or other securities held in excess of one year are often very tax wise. Such gifts are one of the preferred methods for giving for major donors. However, many other donors can and should take advantage of this tax saving technique.

Gifts of Personal Property

Direct gifts of appreciated property such as books, furnishings, works of art, automobiles or other personal property can provide additional tax savings compared to a distribution of the proceeds from the private sale of such assets. In order to get these savings, the donated property must relate to the use of a particular Western program, or its overall goals. Since Western provides many disciplines and services, we can accept most gifts of property.

Gifts of Real Property

You can also contribute appreciated real estate to Western. Examples are personal residences, ranches, commercial property and most any other real estate. Some gifts of ranch property and personal residences can provide a current (deductible) gift, yet allow you to retain the right to live on or farm the property for life or the joint lives of your or your spouse.

Matching Gifts

Please note that many employers match the charitable contributions of their employees. Ask your employer if such a program exists. Matching gifts are a great way to leverage your donation.

Planned or Deferred Gifts, Gifts that Give back to the Donor

Increasingly, Donors wish to make large gifts but fear the loss of the income that donated assets provide. Additionally, a donor may need to diversify a portfolio, but is hesitant to do so because of onerous capital gains taxes. The Western Colorado University Foundation can address each of these needs by helping with the implementation of a plan that provides lifetime payments to the Donor. Such a gift can avoid or defer a great deal of capital gains taxes as well as provide a current income tax deduction. Examples of such gifts are Charitable Remainder Unit rusts, Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts and Charitable Gift Annuities.

Gifts through a Donor’s Will

Donors often name Western Colorado University Foundation in their wills. These gifts can take many forms. Such gifts may benefit both loved ones and Western if made in Trust (e.g., a Testamentary Charitable Remainder or Lead Trust). To receive examples of language for testamentary outright bequests or gifts in Trust, contact our office.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Donors can effectively use gifts of life insurance policies to further their charitable plans. Please contact our office for a discussion of options.