How to Give
Giving to our cause can be done either directly or through a gift model that can provide tax benefits and even income. Click on a gift model below to learn more.
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Give cash or assets such as stocks, bonds, collections, equipment, or real estate to make a significant impact today.
- Benefits: Immediate income tax deduction and potential capital gains tax avoidance.
- Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): Donors aged 70½ or older can transfer up to $111,000 per year directly from your IRA to support our work without paying income taxes on the transfer. This also counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). In 2026, there is an annual limit of $111,000 per donor.
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Sell assets to us for less than their fair market value.
- Benefits: Receive a partial income tax deduction and reduce capital gains tax on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value.
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Create a trust that provides income to The Salvation Army for a specified term or for life, after which the remaining assets return
to you or your heirs. The Salvation Army can be the trustee.
- Benefits: Potentially reduce gift and estate taxes. Choose between an income tax savings option (grantor lead trust) or a gift/estate tax savings option (non-grantor lead trust).
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Establish a permanent endowment to support our mission perpetually or give to an existing endowment.
- Benefits: Enjoy income tax deductions, avoid capital gains tax, and have a lasting impact through a signed endowment agreement with us.
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Create a fund that makes grants to us and other charities over time, like a private foundation but with fewer expenses and administrative duties.
- Benefits: Receive a tax deduction in the year you make the gift to the DAF. You can recommend grants to charities in future years, while the DAF sponsor handles all administrative responsibilities.
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Include The Salvation Army in your will or revocable trust to support our future efforts.
Sample Bequest Language- Benefits: You can designate a specific amount or a percentage of your estate. Your bequest can be unrestricted or designated for a specific purpose, such as an endowment, and qualifies for an estate tax deduction.
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Designate us to receive assets such as bank or stock accounts, or real estate, upon your passing.
- Benefits: You can specify a percentage or purpose for your gift. These transfers qualify for an estate tax deduction.
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Name us as a beneficiary of your retirement plan for all or a portion of the plan.
- Benefits: Avoid income and estate taxes on the transferred retirement plan assets. You can designate a percentage and specify if the gift is unrestricted or for a specific purpose, like an endowment.
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Gift an old or new life insurance policy with us as the owner or beneficiary.
- Benefits: Make a large impact with a relatively small cost. Receive an income tax deduction for the policy's cash value or the premiums you pay. You can specify a percentage or purpose for your gift.
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Give your home or farm while retaining the right to live in or use the property for life.
- Benefits: Enjoy the use of your property for your lifetime. Receive a partial income tax deduction, avoid capital gains tax, and potentially reduce estate taxes. We will work with you to create an agreement that includes contingency plans.
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Enter into a simple agreement where we pay you a fixed percentage of your gift amount annually in exchange for your donation of cash or assets.
- Benefits: Receive fixed, lifetime income with a portion free from income tax. Enjoy a partial income tax deduction and potential capital gains tax savings.
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Create a trust that provides you or others with variable income (unitrust) or fixed payments (annuity trust) for life or a term up to 20 years, with the remainder going to The Salvation Army.
- Benefits: Your income can increase if the trust's value increases. Enjoy a partial income tax deduction, avoid capital gains tax on donated assets, and benefit from estate tax savings.
