Ways to Give

We offer a wide range of gifting options and vehicles that you can use to establish or add to a named charitable fund. Since we are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity, donors are provided with the maximum tax benefits allowed by law. Once your fund is established you can add to it at any time and in any dollar amount.

Gifts of Cash

A cash gift is the simplest way to establish a named fund or to add to an existing fund. Cash gifts are fully deductible up to 50% of the donor’s adjusted gross income in any one year. Deduction amounts exceeding this limit may be carried forward for up to five additional years.

Gifts of Real Estate

Gifts of real estate to the Greater New Orleans Foundation can include a house, apartment building, farm, vacation home, commercial buildings and income-producing and non-income-producing land. You can make an outright gift of property now or through your estate, or use it to fund a Charitable Remainder Trust that provides income to you or your children. A gift of real estate that your client has owned for more than a year entitles them to a tax deduction for the full market value of the property while allowing them to avoid capital gains tax.

Gifts of Securities

Gifts of appreciated securities (bonds and stock, including stock in closely held companies) also may be used to establish a fund or add to an existing fund. Such gifts often provide important tax advantages. Their full fair market value is deductible as a charitable contribution up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. Gifts of closely held stock enjoy the same tax benefits as with publicly traded stock.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Life insurance policies also can be used as charitable gifts. If you name our community foundation as the owner and beneficiary of an existing or new life insurance policy, you receive an immediate tax deduction, which usually approximates the cash surrender value of the policy. All premium payments made by you thereafter will be deductible as a charitable contribution

Gifts from a Private Foundation

A private foundation can make a grant to any fund at the Greater New Orleans Foundation or transfer its assets to a Donor Advised Fund or supporting organization to alleviate tax and administrative burdens.

If you have any questions about the various ways to give, please contact Alice B. Parkerson, vice president of development, by email or at (504) 598-1291.