Giving Options
Where your heart leads, your giving can follow.
If we all leave a gift of just 5%, together, we can make a strong, positive impact on our community for many years to come.
Maximize Your Giving
Be strategic in your giving, in light of the new federal tax bill. Check out Giving Matters and learn how to maximize your giving today!
Ways To Give
Cash, Check & Credit Card
You can give online or call us with your credit card in hand, 231.845.0326.
Make checks payable to CFMC, noting the fund you’re giving to on the memo line, and mail to our office:
Community Foundation for Mason County 119 S. Rath Ave., Ludington, MI 49431
Securities
Stocks, bonds, and most mutual funds are great gifts and they offer tax advantages as well.
Typically, you can avoid capital gains tax on appreciated securities by transferring them straight to us rather than selling them and gifting the proceeds.
IRA / Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)
If you’re 70½ years or older, you can transfer up to $111,000 (for 2026) per year from your IRA to the Community Foundation without having to pay tax on the distribution as income. You can also use up to $55,000 (for 2026) of a QCD to make a one-time donation to a charitable remainder trust (CRT) or charitable gift annuity (CGA).
While the law doesn’t allow this gift to be used to start or add to a Donor Advised Fund, there are plenty of other options you can consider to make the impact you desire. Give us a call and let’s talk about them.
Donor Advised Funds
You can give to Community Foundation Funds with a DAF held at a commercial or other nonprofit institution.
Charitable Gift Annuity
You make a charitable gift to the Community Foundation of $10,000 or more, and we set up a contract to pay you a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life, based on your age. You can donate cash, stocks, real estate, or other assets.
If you are 70½ and older, you can also make a one-time election of up to $55,000 (2026) from your IRA to fund a gift annuity.
You provide much-needed support to your community while receiving guaranteed income for life.
Learn more and contact info@cffmc.com to request a custom illustration.
Life Insurance Policy
When you name the Community Foundation as the owner and beneficiary of an existing or new life insurance policy, you receive an immediate tax deduction that usually approximates the cash surrender value of the policy.
All premium payments made thereafter are deductible as a charitable contribution.
Closely Held Stock
If you own closely held stock in your business, which is generally not sold to the general public, you may choose to give it to the Foundation.
We can help you pass company ownership to children or key employees without hurting assets and liquidity; sell the company and plan for minimized estate and capital gains taxes; gain enough equity from the company to provide income; and use assets of your business to create a family giving program. Give us a call.
Property
Whether it’s real estate or personal items such as art or jewelry, giving property can be an attractive option.
If you have a home, cottage, business property, land, coin or stamp collections, or other valuables that you would like to use for a charitable gift, we can help.
Because each gift is unique and specific rules apply to property, we would be happy to meet with you to confirm we are able to accept your gift and discuss the details.
Plan A Gift For Later
Bequest
Including a gift in your will or trust is a great way to contribute to the future. Work with your attorney to indicate a specific amount or percentage to come to the Community Foundation, using our Sample Bequest Language. Then talk to us about what you’d like your gift to do for the community. If your thoughts about what to support change over time, all you need to do is let us know and we can update our records.
If you need to create or update your will, you can do it at no cost through our partnership with FreeWill at Freewill.com/masonfoundation. If your situation is more complex, we’re happy to refer you to a trusted local advisor.
IRA, Retirement Plans, or Life Insurance
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
A CRT will eventually transfer property to the Community Foundation after paying income to one or more non charitable beneficiaries for life, or a set number of years. These gifts allow you to receive income for the rest of your life, knowing that whatever remains will benefit your community.
Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
A CLT is the opposite of a CRT. With a CLT, income payments are made initially to one of our funds for a term of years. At the end of the term, the remaining assets pass to heirs or others you choose.
Note: If you are a professional advisor and would like additional information on giving arrangements that can benefit your clients, please contact us.