WHAT TO GIVE

When you choose to make a gift to a charitable organization, you may be considering what assets are best to give. Below is a list of various assets that the Bridge accepts as a donation. As in the case of any charitable gifts, before you make a gift you should consult with your tax advisor and/or attorney to determine any income tax and estate tax consequences associated with the gift. In addition, please contact Martha Rennie, Director of Development, at 860.521.8035, ext. 325 with any questions you may have.

Cash: You can deduct the full value of your cash gift up to 50% of your adjusted gross income on your federal income tax return. If you make a contribution of more than 50% of your adjusted gross income in one year, the excess can be carried over and deducted for up to five years following the year of your gift.

Publicly-Held Securities: It is advantageous to make a gift of appreciated publicly-held securities, such as stocks and bonds, because you can avoid the capital gains tax that would otherwise be imposed if you sold the securities. Generally you can deduct the fair market value of your securities up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, with a five year carry-over. However, you should contact your personal tax advisor to discuss the implications before you make gifts of publicly-held securities.

Closely-Held Stock, Partnership Interests and LLC Interests: If you wish to make a gift of closely-held stock, partnership interests or limited liability company interests, please contact Martha Rennie at 860.521.8035, ext. 325 to discuss the gift.

Real Estate: If you wish to make a gift of real property, please contact Martha Rennie at 860.521.8035, ext. 325 to discuss the gift.

Life Insurance: The Bridge or our endowment fund can be named as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.  However, if you wish to make a gift of the life insurance policy itself, please contact Martha Rennie at 860.521.8035, ext. 325 to discuss the gift.

Retirement Plans: The Bridge can be named as the beneficiary of all or a portion of your retirement plans. Distributions from some retirement accounts to individuals may be subject to both income and estate tax. The distribution to the Bridge will not incur income tax as the Bridge is a 501(c)(3) charity, making it more advantageous to direct your retirement plan assets to the Bridge.


HOW TO GIVE

The following are various ways that you can make a gift to the Bridge or to its endowment fund.  As in the case of any charitable gifts, before you make a gift you should consult with your tax advisor and/or attorney to determine any income tax and estate tax consequences associated with the gift. In addition, please contact Martha Rennie at 860.521.8035, ext. 325 with any questions you may have.

Direct Giving: You can make a tax-deductible gift directly to the Bridge or to The Bridge Family Center Fund, our endowment fund at The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. In addition, many corporations offer matching gift programs to their employees, retirees and their families. Please contact the human resource department at your company to learn how to submit a matching gift request.

Charitable Remainder Trust: You can establish a trust that pays income to you and/or other beneficiaries for life or a term of years, then pays the remaining balance to the Bridge. Transfers to a Charitable Remainder Trust will generate an income tax deduction for you in the year of the contribution.

Charitable Lead Trust: You can establish a trust to support the Bridge now and your family or other beneficiaries at a later date. The trust pays income to the Bridge for a period of years and then passes the remaining balance to your beneficiaries with minimum or no gift or estate taxes.

Bequest: Provide for a bequest to the Bridge, or our endowment fund, in your Will or trust. At your death, the bequest will be made.

Life Insurance: The Bridge or our endowment fund can be named as the beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy. However, if you wish to make a gift of the life insurance policy itself, please contact Martha Rennie at 860.521.8035, ext. 325 to discuss the gift.

Retirement Plans: The Bridge can be named as the beneficiary of all or a portion of your retirement plans. Distributions from some retirement accounts to individuals may be subject to both income and estate tax. The distribution to the Bridge will not incur income tax as the Bridge is a 501(c)(3) charity, making it more advantageous to direct your retirement plan assets to the Bridge.