As the year comes to a close, many supporters choose to make a charitable gift to the Southern University System Foundation. The information below highlights several ways to give before December 31 and important updates that may affect the timing of your gift.
An Important Update on Mailing Year-End Gifts
Recent changes to U.S. Postal Service procedures may affect how mailed charitable gifts are dated. Postmarks are now applied at regional processing centers, not at local mailboxes. As a result, the postmark date may be later than the day your gift is dropped in the mail.
To help ensure your mailed gift is credited for this tax year, we recommend:
- Mailing your gift well before December 31, or
- Taking your envelope directly to a USPS post office and handing it to a clerk, requesting counter-purchased postage, a manual postmark, or certified mail
The most reliable way to avoid timing concerns is to give online, where your gift is recorded immediately.
Giving Through Your IRA
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a gift directly from your IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
A QCD may:
- Count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
- Reduce taxable income, since the distribution is not included in adjusted gross income
- Allow you to give up to $100,000 per year directly to a qualified charity
Please note that QCDs are credited when funds are withdrawn from your IRA, not when a check is mailed or received. To ensure your gift qualifies for this year, QCDs should be initiated by early to mid-December.
A Smart Way to Give: Donating Stock
Donating appreciated stock is another tax-efficient way to support the Southern University System Foundation before year-end.
When you give stock directly to the Foundation:
- You may avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation
- You may be eligible for a charitable deduction equal to the stock’s full fair market value
Many donors find this strategy allows them to increase their impact without increasing out-of-pocket costs, making it a powerful way to support Southern’s students, programs, and mission.