Get Into Giving

Philanthropy is our individual response to human needs. By giving to charitable and philanthropic organizations, we exercise our support for the goals, the people and the purposes we believe in.

There are many motivations for giving one's money and other resources for charitable purposes. Below are a few reasons why we give:

• Helping others gives us a great feeling of satisfaction
• We have a desire to make a significant difference and to leave a lasting imprint on society.
• We wish to return something to the communities in which we live.
• Giving is one way to express our religious faith.
• We want to get involved and connect with others who share our passions and interests.
• By giving, we can memorialize a friend or loved one.
• The tax advantages can be considerable.

Whatever your motivation, this information is designed to guide you to find the giving choice that is right for you.

How much to give - Cash options
Determining how much to give to charity is a very personal choice. The only legal requirements for giving levels relate to private foundations, which are required by federal law to pay out annual grants totaling a minimum of five (5) percent of their assets.

Individual Giving Levels
The appropriate charitable giving amount will differ from person to person. Deciding how much to give to charity can be influenced by many factors including your family situation, retirement goals, as well as your personal values and passions. A professional advisor can help you determine your appropriate charitable giving level. In addition, here are a few resources that may help you get started: