Real Estate
Gifts of real estate are considered on a case by case basis.

Tangible Personal Property
When donating items such as works of art, antiques or books, your deduction is based on the fair-market value, provided WCU's use of the items is directly related to its educational function. If the use is unrelated, your deduction is based on the lesser of either cost basis or fair market value.

Life Insurance
You can designate the WCU Foundation as the primary or contingent beneficiary of an insurance policy that you own. Premiums are not deductible. If the insurance policy is paid up and you make the University the owner of the policy, you will receive a tax deduction equal to the lesser of the cash value of the policy or your cost-basis.

If the policy is not paid up, you may make the University the owner of the policy. You will receive an immediate income tax deduction equal to the current cash value of the policy. You will receive future tax deductions for donations made to the University to pay the premiums.

Qualified Retirement Plans - IRA's, 401K, Keogh and Others
These plans provide income tax benefits at the time contributions are made and the assets in the plans are allowed to build tax-free. These plans are part of the owner's taxable estate and are not subject to income taxes until they are withdrawn by the owner or paid to a beneficiary. The beneficiary, like the owner, will pay income tax at his/her current rate.

Because of the high taxation (possibly as high as 70-80%), these plans are an excellent source of both income and estate tax savings when used to make charitable gifts. For further information on such gifts, please contact Norma T. Clayton, Director of Planned Giving, at 610-430-4152.


Charitable Lead Trust
A charitable lead trust allows you to provide a generous gift to West Chester University of Pennsylvania through annual payments from the trust for a period of time that you designate. At the end of the term of the trust, the assets used to fund it and any growth in this principal is returned to the donor or passed on to specified noncharitable beneficiaries. This type of trust is often used to pass assets to your children or grandchildren with considerable tax advantages. A charitable lead trust can also be established upon your death by your will. The term and payout would be selected to meet your charitable intentions, maximize the estate and gift tax benefit, and defer the distribution of the assets in the trust to your beneficiaries. The longer the term and the higher the charitable payout rate selected, the greater the tax benefits.

If you are interested in more information on charitable lead trusts, please contact Norma T. Clayton, Director of Planned Giving at 610-430-4152.