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Support the future of Illinois forests
Gifts to the Illinois Forestry Association fund education programs, stewardship of our woodlands, and the technical assistance that helps people make good decisions about the land in their care. There are several ways to give, some immediate and some that take effect later, and a number of them carry tax advantages.
Gifts Having an Immediate Impact
Cash can be donated to IFA via check, wire, or online credit card contribution.
IRA distributions, within certain limitations, to a qualified charity are excluded from your taxable income and can be used to satisfy your annual Required Minimum Distributions if you are age 70 ½ or older. Commonly referred to as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), the distribution must be transferred directly from the IRA custodian to an eligible charity, such as IFA.
Appreciated Securities such as stocks, mutual funds, or other securities, directly donated to a qualified charity is another tax-efficient way to give. It allows you to avoid paying capital gains taxes on the appreciation while claiming a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock.
Real Estate donated to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity, like IFA, may allow you to avoid capital gains tax, eliminate depreciation recapture, and claim a federal income tax deduction equal to the property’s full fair market value. Further, IFA may be able to permanently preserve and steward a forested tract of land that you have nurtured for years and use it to teach others about the benefits of forests and forestry.
Planned Giving |
Making a planned gift to the Illinois Forestry Association leaves a meaningful legacy that will ensure Illinois’ woodlands remain healthy and productive for generations to come.
Whether through a bequest in your will, a gift from your IRA, or another planned giving option, your contribution helps sustain our work in forest stewardship and landowner education across the state. Planned gifts, large or small, leave a powerful impact on Illinois’ forests, as well as on the people and wildlife who depend on them. Plus, most planned giving strategies can reduce taxes for you or your estate.
If you have any questions about IFA or planned giving, please email us at donate@ilforestry.org.
Gifts for the Future
Wills or Trusts can be used by designating a particular asset or a percentage of an estate to IFA by including a bequest provision in your will or trust. IFA would receive the gift after your lifetime. This distribution is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes and there is no limit, as well as often being exempt from state inheritance taxes. If you have any questions about including a provision to benefit IFA, we would be happy to work with you and your advisers.
Life Insurance Policies can be used to donate by naming Illinois Forestry Association as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. At death, the benefits pass to IFA free of federal estate tax.
Retirement Plans can be used to donate to IFA by naming Illinois Forestry Association as a beneficiary of a portion, or all, of an account. After your lifetime, the remainder of the plan passes to IFA and any other named beneficiaries.
Donor StoriesWhy give to IFA? Here is one member, in his own words.A dream, 2,500 walnut trees, and a Qualified Charitable DistributionAs long as I can remember, I had a dream to build a log cabin in the woods. As you can see in the photo, early in my childhood, I was trying. This photo was taken early in 1953 with my Grandfather supervising my friend and me as we worked feverishly on my first log cabin. But it did not stop there.
After 2 major home renovations to give me experience and my wife a high level of confidence, we purchased 80 acres in Southern Illinois. Then along came the Illinois Forestry Association (IFA). I was trying to figure out how to refocus my attention from being an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel working in Communications to being a guy who wanted to plant a bunch of walnut trees. I thought IFA might help so I called an IFA member and asked if there were any groups or committees that might give me the knowledge I needed. His answer was “Absolutely yes” and I joined immediately. In 2008, I started building our log home and planting walnut trees in earnest. Today, some 2500 trees later, I believe my wife and I have succeeded in both. When we sit on our deck in the evening time with a glass of wine and 3 dogs lying nearby, my thoughts drift to the influence IFA had on me and all we enjoy today. It was an easy transition for me to consider donating to IFA using the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). The non-profit gets donations I probably would have made anyway. Plus, I pay no taxes! Win-Win in my mind. — Mike McMahan, Johnson County, IFA member since 2007 |
Name, Address, and Tax ID
Illinois Forestry Association
403 W Saint Charles Rd, STE B
Lombard, IL 60148-2113
EIN: 27-0134781
IRS recognizes IFA as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Disclaimer
The information provided is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. The Illinois Forestry Association encourages you to consult your attorney, tax advisor, or financial planner before making a planned gift.
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