Donate

Your Gift = Community Impact

Your money supports some of the most significant agencies in the County which offer a variety of programs and services. Your dollars are well spent. United Way makes certain that Member Agencies are fiscally responsible and meeting genuine needs. United Way works hard to achieve its mission while keeping its own costs to a minimum. United Way of Kent County is well managed by a diverse, hard working Board of Directors. Designated contributions are sent directly to the Member Agency without United Way retaining fees. Your money makes a difference. United Way provides the most difficult funds for an organization to raise – administrative costs, scholarships, new program costs. Just ask our Member Agencies, they will tell you that United Way dollars make a difference.

Donate Online

Donating online is the easiest and simplest way to start living united

Donate Online Now

Make a Gift of Stock

If you are fortunate enough to own a stock, bond or Mutual Fund that has experienced tremendous growth since you’ve bought it then congratulations. And if you are thinking of making a gift or donation to the United Way of Kent County then we thank you for your consideration. We have a solution for you that may help you save on your Capital Gains taxes.

Highly appreciated stock, Bonds or Mutual Funds held in a non-IRA or non-Qualified account can carry a hefty capital gains tax when you sell them. Depending on your income-tax bracket, you may owe either 15 or 20% on your gains. For example, let’s say you bought XYZ Stock at $10 per share a few years ago. Then XYZ company benefited from some good business years and now their stock is worth $100 per share. You have a profit of $90 per share owned. In the 15% Capital Gains bracket you could owe the Federal Government $13.50 per share you sell. If you owned and then sold 100 shares that can cause a $1,350 capital gains hit.

If you were going to donate to the United Way of Kent County and used a stock transfer instead, you do not owe the Capital Gains tax and you may collect the credit for donations at the same time. If you itemize on your taxes you still get the deduction for the amount of the actual donation (check with your tax advisor to see if you itemize and how much you need for a deduction) and you have made your donation to a worthy cause. (You may also save on your State income tax too.)

If you are considering this contact your Financial Advisor or the United Way of Kent County and we can walk you through the simple process.

Donating the Required Minimum Distribution from an IRA

Once an IRA investor reaches 70.5 years of age they are required to begin withdrawing money from their account. The amount required to be withdrawn is called a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and is based on the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. The RMD is taxable income and causes not only an increase in income taxes but may also increase Part B and D Medicare premiums. The extra income can result in more of Social Security income to be taxed.

In December 2015, Congress passed the Qualified Charitable Distribution provision and made donating pre-tax money from the RMD a permanent provision of the tax code. Now, an IRA holder over the age of 70.5 can donate up to $100,000 of their RMD to a qualified charity. And with the 2018 new tax law making itemizing a rare case, it makes even sense to make your charitable gift from your RMD. If you don’t itemize you cannot claim charitable donations on your tax forms. You immediately save on income taxes due on the RMD and reduce your overall income for the year.

A few simple requirements; the money is limited to the RMD and capped at $100,000. The money must come direct from the IRA custodian to the charity. It cannot go to the owner first. Plus, the money contributed reduces income but cannot then be claimed as a charitable donation (if you itemize)—that would result in a double deduction.

For more information on how to donate from your IRA RMD, contact your financial advisor or the custodian of your IRA.

Check or Money Order

To make a donation by check or money order, please make payable to “United Way of Kent County” and mail to:

United Way of Kent County<br>P.O. Box 594<br>Chestertown, MD 21620

Leaving a Donation in a Will

Having a will is an important planning step in dealing with your property and assets when you die. When you leave this world you leave behind all your worldly possessions. Those close to you, or the State are then forced to decide what to do with the leftover assets. Without a valid will to direct them, your wishes, even if known, can go unheeded.

Establishing a will relieves much of the family stress of dealing with your property and assets. It also allows you to have more control over what happens to your estate. The will is your last message to the living world and often creates a peace-of-mind knowing that your plans are in order should something sudden happen.

After providing for your loved ones you can make a lasting positive impact on the community you lived in by naming the United Way of Kent County as a recipient of a final gift. The United Way of Kent County will allocate your gift to meaningful charitable and non-profit organizations within Kent County.</p>
<p>Adding the United Way of Kent County can be a simple as adding a codicil to your original will, or part of an overall Estate Plan when first writing or updating your will. Contact your Attorney to update or create a new will and mention that you would like to leave something to the United Way of Kent County.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust

Set up a Chariable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT). A CRUT distributes a fixed percentage of the value of its assets on a regular basis to you and at the expiration of a specified time the remaining balance of the CRUT’s assets will be distributed to the United Way of Kent County.

Donate Online Using PayPal

You can donate directly to United Way of Kent County with PayPal. Use your current account or create a new one and click here to donate now.