Qualified Charitable Distribution Gifts2024-02-08T10:41:22+00:00
  • How to Support

Make a gift from your IRA

If you are 70½ or older, donating through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can be a great way to make your charitable contribution go further. Making a donation to Coalition for Rainforest Nations from your QCD can have tax benefits and provides vital support for CfRN’s mission.
  • How to Support

Make a gift from your IRA

If you are 70½ or older, donating through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can be a great way to make your charitable contribution go further. Making a donation to Coalition for Rainforest Nations from your QCD can have tax benefits and provides vital support for CfRN’s mission.

How It Works

If you are 70 ½ or older, and have a traditional IRA:

  • You can transfer up to $100,000 per year to charitable organizations such as Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) through a QCD (otherwise known as IRA charitable rollovers or IRA gifts).
  • The IRA charitable contribution counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution.
  • The amount you give is not included in your adjusted gross income (AGI), so you will not incur income taxes on this portion of your withdrawal.

Other Considerations

  • Your IRA administrator must make the distribution directly to CfRN or you may write a check to the charity from your IRA checkbook (payable to Coalition for Rainforest Nations). Funds that are withdrawn by you and then donated do not qualify.
  • You cannot transfer your IRA distribution to a donor advised fund (DAF). You cannot receive any goods or services in exchange for your contribution.
  • You may distribute an amount, up to $100,000 in a calendar year, to one or more public charities, so long as it is completed by December 31 of that year.

Benefits of making a QCD

  • For many supporters, giving through a QCD is a smart way to help protect rainforests and decrease tax expenses.
  • Your gift will be put to work immediately in helping CfRN end and reverse global deforestation.
  • Your IRA charitable distribution can be made every year, so it’s a great way to make your annual gift.

How to make a QCD contribution to CfRN

  1. Contact your IRA plan administrator or tax advisor to discuss if an IRA gift is right for you.
  2. When ready to make your gift, please have your financial institution make the withdrawal check payable to “Coalition for Rainforest Nations” and identify you as the donor by name and address. Your financial administrator should note that the transfer is an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution.
  3. Please let CfRN know of your donation so we can be sure to credit and acknowledge your gift. Contact us at giving@cfrn.org or 646-448-6870, x6895 to let us know of your gift.

If mailing a check, please send to:

Coalition for Rainforest Nations

52 Vanderbilt Ave., 12th Floor,

New York, NY 10017 USA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Required Minimum Distribution?2022-05-08T11:34:29+00:00

The IRS defines the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) as “the minimum amount you must withdraw from your IRA each year”. The 2019 SECURE Act increased the age at which retirees must begin taking RMDs from 70 ½ to 72 years, but it did not increase the age at which an IRA owner can take an RMD, which remains 70 ½ years. For more information, please contact your financial advisor or IRA custodian.

How should I direct my gift to CfRN?2022-05-08T11:34:38+00:00

Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN); CfRN is a registered 501c3 charitable organization (EIN/Federal Tax ID: 26-3221530.

I’ve already named Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) as the beneficiary of my IRA. Why should I consider giving a charitable distribution this year?2022-05-08T11:34:46+00:00

By making a gift this year, you can start seeing the impact of your philanthropic investment in your lifetime.

I’m turning age 70½ in a few months. Can I make this gift now?2022-05-08T11:34:52+00:00

No. The IRS requires you to reach age 70½ by the date you make the gift.

I have several retirement accounts—some are pensions and some are IRAs. Does it matter which retirement account I use?2022-05-08T11:34:58+00:00

Yes. According to the IRS, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can be made only from an IRA. To determine if you are eligible to make a QCD, consult your tax advisor or retirement plan administrator.

Can my gift be used as my required minimum distribution?2022-05-08T11:35:03+00:00

Yes. If you have not yet withdrawn your annual required minimum distribution, your IRA charitable distribution can satisfy all or part of that requirement. Contact your IRA retirement plan administrator with any questions.

Is there a date I need to make my gift by to count for the current year?2022-05-08T11:35:08+00:00

To qualify for any tax savings in the current year, your withdrawal must be postmarked by Dec. 31. Depending on your IRA, it can take a few weeks to process withdrawals, so it is recommended to start the process at least a few weeks before the end of the year to make sure your distribution is withdrawn this year.

Do I need to give my entire IRA to be eligible for the tax benefits?2022-05-08T11:35:12+00:00

No. You can give any amount under this provision, as long as it is $100,000 or less this year.

What if my spouse and I would both like to give IRA charitable distributions. Can we give more than $100,000?2022-05-08T11:35:18+00:00

If your spouse is 70½ or older and has an IRA, your spouse can also give up to $100,000 from their IRA.

If I want to mail in my IRA charitable distribution gift, what address should I send it to?2022-05-08T11:35:25+00:00

Make your contribution to Coalition for Rainforest Nations, and address it to: 52 Vanderbilt Ave., Suite 1401; New York, NY 10017. Please ensure there is identifying information included so we can correctly attribute the gift to you.

Questions

Have a question not listed here, or want more info? We recommend you consult your tax advisor or read the IRS Retirement Plan FAQs here.

Support our Climate Movement. Save the Rainforest

Support our Climate Movement. Save the Rainforest

Rainforest nations feel the brunt of the climate emergency daily.

Only concerted national action can reverse deforestation and help reduce emissions.

“Amongst all the organizations evaluated, CfRN stands out because of outsized leverage of their presence at key international negotiations”

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