Ways to Make Your Gift

There are a few giving options available that might meet your personal, charitable, and financial goals. You can make smart gifts that benefit the birds – and save you at tax time. If you are making your gift before the end of the year, some options may require additional time to ensure the gift arrives within this tax year, so planning ahead is key.

To get you started, we’re pleased to offer three smart, easy ways to give below. You can find more information, including detailed instructions, via the links provided. If you would rather talk with us, we would be more than happy to arrange a phone call or zoom meeting to discuss options and answer your questions.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

Donating appreciated securities is a tax-smart way to give. By making a gift of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, you may be able to avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction. For instructions, visit birds.cornell.giftplans.org or contact us at labgifts@cornell.edu.

Donor-Advised Funds

Use your tax-advantaged donor-advised fund to make a gift to the Cornell Lab and still receive a council membership! We seek counsel review of our benefits annually to ensure we can offer you a membership for your donor-advised fund gift. Please tell us about your forthcoming gift so that we may confirm it is properly designated by emailing labgifts@cornell.edu. To learn more, visit birds.cornell.giftplans.org.

Qualified Charitable Distributions

If you are 70.5 or older, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is a smart gift you can make from a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). QCDs are always tax-free, regardless of whether or not you itemize deductions on your tax return. By excluding distributions from your taxable income, they lower your taxes and count towards your required minimum distribution (if you are subject to one). To get started, visit birds.cornell.giftplans.org or email labgifts@cornell.edu.

We also offer the convenience of paying online at http://birds.cornell.edu/GivingCouncil.