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Some of the most common ways to make a gift to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation are to write a check, make a gift using a credit card, or donate online.

A gift of cash could be right for you if:

You want the easiest way to donate to AAACF.
You want the largest possible income tax charitable deduction for your gift.
You would like to make the gift to AAACF that has the greatest immediate impact.

How it works
You make a gift of cash directly to AAACF and you receive an immediate income tax charitable deduction.

How Your Gift Helps

AAACF’s deep roots within the local community enable us to have a deep understanding of local needs. By giving through us, you benefit from…

Personalized help and assistance in order to fulfill your charitable goals;

Professional investment management that ensures the charitable fund will continue;

Magnifying your impact with your gifts being combined with those of other donors.

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What is an outright gift of cash?
An outright gift of cash is when you transfer funds to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and get nothing of financial value in return. The most common way for donors to make an outright gift is to write a check payable to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

Gift provides immediate support
Unlike some other gift arrangements, your outright gift will provide resources that AAACF can put to immediate use. If you prefer to restrict our use of your gift in any way, please contact us so that we can be sure that we can carry out your wishes.

Maximum tax savings
You may deduct the full amount of your donation up to 50% of your adjusted gross income, providing tax savings if you itemize. You may carry forward all of your unused deduction for up to five additional years.

Ways to give cash
Most donors make an outright gift by writing a check payable to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and mailing it to us. You may also make a cash gift using your credit card.

Example

Helen Carlson would like to make an immediate $15,000 gift to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Helen could write a check for this amount and earn a charitable deduction equal to $15,000. Alternatively, Helen could make a gift using her credit card by calling us on the phone, responding to a mailing, or by donating online through our website. Gifts of checks and gifts made via credit cards are considered cash gifts.

Benefits

Helen may deduct up to 50% of her adjusted gross income for her gift of cash, providing tax savings if she itemizes.
If Helen itemizes deductions but cannot use the entire deduction in the year of gift, she may carry the balance forward for up to five additional years.
Assuming Helen itemizes deductions and can use her entire income tax charitable deduction of $15,000, she will save her $5,550 (37% tax).
Helen will gain the satisfaction of making a $15,000 gift to AAACF.