Ways to Give
What follows is a summary of a number of ways to make gifts that yield immediate benefits to Washington International School. The School is an independent nonprofit [501©(3)] charitable institution. Gifts are tax deductible to the extent of the law.
Download the gift and pledge form
We need and appreciate your gifts. Thank you for your far-reaching support!
Is my gift tax-deductible?
If you itemize deductions on your IRS income tax return in the U.S.A., your gift can be exempt from federal income tax. Your savings depend on your tax bracket, your other deductions, and other factors. Generally speaking the higher your tax bracket, the greater your tax savings. Through cash donations, you are allowed to eliminate tax on up to 50% of your adjusted gross income each year. Gifts too large to be deductible in the year of your gift can be carried over to as many as five future tax years.
Real Property
Gifts of low-yielding securities, real estate, collectibles, and other similar properties can provide a tax-efficient way to make meaningful gifts with little or no effect on your current spendable income. When you give appropriate property you have owned longer than one year, you are entitled to an income tax deduction for the full value of the asset, not just the amount you paid for it. All capital gains tax that would be due on a sale of the property is avoided. Gifts of appreciated assets may be deducted in an amount up to 30% of your adjusted gross income each year. Please call the Advancement Office, (202) 243-1822, if you have property you would like to donate to the School
Appreciated Stock as a Charitable Gift
One of the most satisfactory ways for a donor to give a gift to the Washington International School, a 501C3 charitable organization, is to use appreciated stock.
Giving stocks, bonds, and mutual fund shares that have increased in value (and which the donor has owned for more than one year) provides greater tax benefits to the donor than giving cash. Not only can the donor deduct the full market value of the securities but also avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation.
Instructions for Giving Stock to WIS
- The donor is asked to inform the Director of Advancement at WIS that a stock gift is being transferred. Phone: (202) 243-1856
- The donor’s broker should transfer the stock into the School’s account:
Account No. 376-11915-13
Delivery Trust Company (DTC) No. 0418
Salomon Smith Barney
1850 K St NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20006.
Phone (202) 857-5430
Fax (202) 857-5460
Attn: Marguerite Benson, Financial Consultant - The School’s Federal Identification Number (FID) is 52-0822-077. The stock will then be sold immediately.
Considerations
- If a transfer to the School’s brokerage account is not possible, the donor’s broker should become an agent for the School and set up an account for WIS and sell the stock immediately.
- If a transfer using stock certificates is unavoidable, the donor should send unendorsed certificates by regular first class mail along with a letter of transmittal signed by the owner to the Director of Advancement. Under separate cover, the donor should mail a signed stock power executed in blank for each security along with a copy of the letter of transmittal. The donor should not fill in the School’s name as transferee on either the stock certificates or stock power.
- Securities that have decreased in value should first be sold by the donor and the cash proceeds given to the School. The donor then can deduct the capital loss to offset any capital gain.
Gift Value
The gift value for Internal Revenue Service declaration will be the average of the high and low selling price of the stock or bond on the date of the gift. An increase in value after the date of the gift and before sale will accrue to the School: a loss will be absorbed by the School as a cost of doing business.