Ways to Give

Please see the Printable Pledge Card.

Memorial Healthcare Foundation and Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County are grateful for the contributions they receive, large and small, from friends in support of its mission. Because of this support, Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County has progressed from modest beginnings to take its place as an integral part of our community and area.

There are a variety of ways you, you and your spouse, partner, business, company, or firm may choose to make a significant gift to the Caring and Compassion…Close to Home Campaign. This material illustrates some of the ways donors can provide financial support to this campaign while increasing and advancing personal and/or estate-planning interests.

Donor Counsel
Donors are advised to consult with their legal/financial counsel before planning their gifts. Such counsel can help donors make the largest possible gift to the Caring and Compassion…Close to Home Campaign through the Memorial Healthcare Foundation at the least possible net expense to himself/herself. Personal financial circumstances vary considerably, and must be carefully considered to receive maximum benefit from existing tax laws.

Pledges
Many donors have chosen to make a pledge in support of the Caring and Compassion…Close to Home Campaign. The benefits of a pledge are numerous, for both you as the donor, and Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County.

When payments are stretched out over the course of several months or years, donors may find it easier to make larger gifts. Pledging also allows the donor to determine a schedule for making payments. The Foundation and Hospital benefit from pledges by knowing they have a solid, predictable base of support.

Matching Gifts
Many corporations will provide matching gifts in recognition of an employee or an eligible individual’s support of his/her favorite charity. Matching gifts are usually equal to the donor’s gift, although some generous corporations match at a two-to-one ratio. Typically, the donor must obtain the company’s matching gift form and send it with the gift to Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

Appreciated or Depreciated Securities
Donors who choose to make outright gifts of securities will most likely receive significant tax advantages. Because of tax considerations, it is usually more beneficial to contribute securities directly to Memorial Healthcare Foundation rather than selling them and giving the proceeds.

To make a gift of appreciated or depreciated securities notify your broker or custodian bank that you intend to make a gift to Memorial Healthcare Foundation. Instruct the broker or bank to contact David Eaton, Owner, Eaton Financial Advisors at (608) 776-8688 regarding disposition of the securities. Or, send certificates without endorsement, and under separate cover, send a stock power of attorney for each certificate to:

A letter of transmittal should accompany the stock certificates, stating the name and address of the donor, and the purpose of the gift as support for the Caring and Compassion…Close to Home Campaign. Gifts of securities will be credited at their mean market value on the date of delivery to Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

Appreciated Real Estate
Donors who give real estate that has increased in value will enjoy tax advantages. Benefits to a donor of appreciated real estate include a full fair-market value charitable deduction, up to thirty (30) percent of adjusted gross income, with a five-year carry-over provision, and no capital gains tax on the property appreciation. Gifts of real estate will be credited at their appraised value at the time the gift is made. The Campaign Cabinet for the Caring and Compassion…Close to Home Campaign reserves the right to accept or reject any offer of real estate.

Life Insurance
Choosing to name Memorial Healthcare Foundation on behalf of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County as the irrevocable beneficiary and owner of a life insurance policy will provide the donor with immediate and long-range income and estate tax benefits. Because of the complexity of insurance policy gifts, donors are encouraged to consult IRS rules, their tax advisor, and Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

Irrevocable Deferred Gifts
Irrevocable deferred gifts are those gifts in the form of trusts, wills, contracts, deeds, and life insurance, whereby a donor has irrevocably transferred assets (cash, securities, and/or real estate) in such a way that the remainder or other interest intended for Memorial Healthcare Foundation is vested at the time of the gift. Donors giving irrevocable deferred gifts receive a charitable deduction for the gift, equal to the value of the charitable remainder interest.

Life Income Plan
Life income plans, often called "deferred gifts" or "planned gifts," offer donors the opportunity to obtain an immediate charitable deduction, income for themselves or others for life or a term of years, as well as estate tax savings. Through the use of instruments such as annuity trusts, unitrusts, and pooled income funds, a donor may make a substantial gift of cash, securities, or real estate, and still receive lifetime income from that property. The income beneficiary (the donor or another individual) continues to receive such income until his/her death or for a term of years, at which time the charitable remainder principal is transferred to the Memorial Healthcare Foundation on behalf of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County for use as specified by the donor. If the gift is made with appreciated property, a donor may avoid capital gains tax. Often the donated asset is converted to another type of asset to produce a higher annual rate of return for the income beneficiary. The tax benefits vary according to the income beneficiary and the type of life income plan selected.

Life estate gifts are gifts of property, for example, a residence, farm, or vacation home. The donor will receive a charitable tax contribution at the time of the gift, and the donor retains a life estate in the property (continues to use the property for life). After the lifetime of the donor, Memorial Healthcare Foundation receives ownership of the property.

Bequests
You may choose to make a provision in your will for Memorial Healthcare Foundation. These bequest and trust arrangements often allow a donor to provide significant and meaningful financial support for the Hospital above and beyond that which is possible through a current gift. Such gifts are very important to the long-term future of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County and are encouraged in conjunction with a current gift. Memorial Healthcare Foundation is grateful for all gifts by bequest and would be pleased to work with donors to ensure such bequests can receive credit in the Caring and Compassion…Close to Home Campaign.

Cash
Cash, usually in the form of a check, is the most common and popular type of gift. Gifts of cash may be deducted from taxable income as long as a donor itemizes his/her deductions. The donor may deduct up to fifty (50) percent of his/her adjusted gross income; any excess may be deducted over the next five (5) years. Actual savings from the deduction depend on the donor’s tax rate and other factors. Generally, the higher the tax rate, the greater the savings.

To give, please see the Printable Giving Form.