Outright Gifts

Monetary Contributions

An outright gift is the simplest form of giving, and may be made in the form of cash, check, or credit card. If you would like to restrict your gift to a specific area, please indicate that with your gift. Otherwise, we will direct it to the area of greatest need. To donate by check, please make it out to “Giant Steps” and mail to 1390 N. McDowell Blvd Suite G #331, Petaluma, CA 94954. To donate online, please click below. You will have the option to make a one-time or a recurring gift.

Life Insurance

Donors may make Giant Steps the owner and beneficiary of life insurance policies. An existing policy yields a current charitable income tax deduction approximately equal to the cash surrender value. A paid-up policy yields a charitable tax deduction approximately equal to the policy’s replacement value the exact figure is available from the issuing company. Whether it’s a new policy or an existing contract, donors continue to pay the premiums and take a charitable deduction for each additional premium payment.

Please note that the above is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal or tax/financial advice. Donors should consult their lawyer and personal financial advisor prior to making such a gift.

Stocks & Securities

An outright gift of securities to Giant Steps can offer a donor significant tax savings if the securities have appreciated, and have been held for over one year. To realize tax advantages, the securities must be donated directly to Giant Steps, rather than being sold with the proceeds donated. Please click below for instructions.

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) Gifts

Donors may also opt to make charitable gifts through their personal Donor Advised Fund (DAF), which would be administered by a financial services company or community foundation. The donor receives credit for a charitable deduction when the DAF is funded, not when the gift is made to Giant Steps. If you are planning to make a distribution to Giant Steps through your DAF, please let us know so that we can properly honor your gift. Not all DAF gifts share the name of the donors.

Personal Property

Gifts of personal property such as a riding equipment, art, jewelry, etc. may be donated to the Giant Steps. Giant Steps may keep the donation for use by the organization, sell it, or include it in an auction. The charitable tax deduction for gifts of personal property is typically determined by the donor. The IRS requires additional documentation including qualified appraisals for certain gifts of tangible property. For example, gifts of personal property valued over $5,000 require a qualified appraisal.

Matching Gifts

Many companies match employees’ charitable contributions through a formalized matching gifts program. Donors are encouraged to contact their employers directly to see if gifts can be matched.

IRA Charitable Rollover

The SECURE Act passed in December 2019 increased the age at which an individual must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from a retirement account such as an IRA. Under the IRA Charitable Rollover Act, donors may distribute up to $100,000 per year to qualified charities directly from their IRA. This Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) satisfies an individual’s RMD but is excluded from taxable income in the year of the distribution. Please note that since these types of distributions are not subject to income tax there is no charitable income tax deduction permitted. Before making this type of transaction, please consult with your tax advisor to determine if a QCD makes sense for you and your specific tax situation. If it does, please call the office to receive information on the best way to make this gift: 707-769-8900.