Planned Giving
Make a Lasting Difference
Your planned gift, carefully invested by RMHC NEO, can help families year after year.
Why Planned Giving?
- It’s easy. Helping families can be as simple as adding a sentence to your existing will or adding Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc. (RMHC NEO) on a beneficiary form.
- You have flexibility. Your gift can be a percentage so it remains in proportion to other desires you wish to fulfill. It can also come to our House only after your other needs are met.
- You have options. Your gift can be unrestricted, placed in our endowment, or you can choose to help fund a specific program.
- You may realize tax benefits. Gifts of appreciated stock also help to avoid capital gains and are accepted by RMHC NEO.
- Every gift will have a profound impact.
How Do You Want to Make a Difference?
Your gift is important—it provides the support and comfort our families rely on every day.
Providing a Gift Through Your Will
RMHC NEO has partnered with FreeWill to give you an intuitive online resource that helps you write a legally valid will online. This free resource can help you create your legacy in 25 minutes, ensuring the peace of mind that comes with having a plan for you and your loved ones. Just go to freewill.com/rmhcneo to get started.
Charitable IRA Rollover: A smarter way to give for those 70.5 or older
Another planned giving option for supporters 70.5 or older is to give a tax-free gift directly from your IRA. This gift can be made whether or not you itemize deductions. A gift from your IRA makes an immediate impact on our services and may come with great personal tax benefits. We have a free tool to get you started in 10 minutes or less. Get started at freewill.com/qcd/rmhcneo.
Explore more ways to leave a lasting impact—download our Legacy Society Planned Giving Guide!
Donating Stock
While the market is down and preserving cash is a concern, donating stock can still be the most effective way to make an impact and SAVE money in the process.
Save on taxes: When you donate your appreciated assets (stock), you avoid paying capital gains tax. If you itemize deductions, you can also take a charitable deduction for the entire donation amount.
Timing: For your gift to be eligible for your current year’s tax return, you must give by December 31 of that year.
Value: Even if the value of your stock is down, many long-held securities have appreciated over time. Donating these, rather than cash, avoids capital gains and the shares can be repurchased at the lower price, which also resets your cost-basis.
Charitable deduction: The amount of your charitable deduction is the mean price between the high and the low price of your stock on the day your shares transfer.
Questions? Contact Aristea Tzouloufis, in the Development Office at 330-253-5400 x1109.
This information is not intended as tax, legal, or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation.
For Attorneys and Advisors
Legal Name
Bequests and other forms of planned / estate gifts should be designated to:
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc.
The information that you or your broker may need includes:
Legal Address
10415 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Intended Use of Gift
Please indicate whether the gift is intended for general purposes and uses, for a specific program, or to be added to our endowment. Please contact us in advance if there is a specific or restricted use for the gift to make sure that we can fully honor the donor’s wishes.
Sample Bequest Language
“I give, devise and bequeath to Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northeast Ohio, Inc., or its successor in interest, (Tax ID #34-1269123), whose legal address is currently 10415 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106, the sum of $_________ (or describe the percentage of estate or specific asset/type of property you wish to give), for its unrestricted and general purposes (or for a designated purpose of your choice).”
Tax Identification Number: 34-1269123
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Planned Giving
Do I have to include my wish to leave a gift to a specific organization in my will?
To be certain that the group receives the gift, you should state your intention in your will. Without a will, you lose control over your belongings after your death. Your property and finances are settled according to state laws, whether or not they coincide with family wishes. Make sure when specifying a gift in your will that you use the official name of the organization. For example, though many people know what “Cleveland’s Ronald McDonald House” or “Akron’s Ronald McDonald House” is, the registered name of the charity is now “Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc.”
Must I have an estate in order to leave a gift?
An estate is simply a word used to describe any property, money or personal belongings that you may have at the time of your death. Most people leave an estate when they die, even though they may not have a great deal of wealth. Anyone can arrange to leave a charitable gift from their estate when they pass away.
Who can help me arrange for a gift?
When contemplating a planned gift, working with an experienced professional can ensure that you receive maximum tax benefits while fulfilling your philanthropic wishes. If you are already working with a professional financial planner, lawyer, accountant or insurance agent, discuss with them your intentions to leave a charitable gift. Most can either help you directly or refer you to someone with experience in estate planning and/or charitable giving. If you do not have a relationship with a professional, please contact our office and we can provide some organizations for you to contact.
How do I leave a gift in memory or in honor of a person or for a specific purpose?
A gift is a wonderful way to recognize someone who has made a difference in your life or to thank an organization or person that helped you or your family. You may also want to give to a specific cause such as research or to a new building or program. This kind of memorial/honorarium gift can be arranged in your will, the same way that you would leave a personal gift from your estate. Just make sure that the language clearly states that the gift is given in memory or in honor of a particular person or for a specific use. If you would like to talk through current options for restricted gifts, please call Aristea Tzouloufis at 330-253-5400 x1109.
Do I tell the charity I’ve arranged for the gift?
This is up to you. Nonprofit organizations often like to know in advance so they can recognize your generosity. They also can help you direct your gift to a specific program that fits your intentions. Ultimately, it is entirely up to you as to whether or not you let the charity know of your decision to leave a gift.
What are my options if I want to leave a gift to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc.?
Philanthropic gifts to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc. can and do come in many forms. Of course, at any time you may make an outright gift of cash, appreciated securities or mutual fund shares, artwork, equipment or even real estate. If you are interested in additional flexibility in planning a gift to the House, you may also pledge a specific money amount that is payable over a mutually agreed upon period of time.
The organization can also receive life income gifts either through charitable remainder trusts or the pooled income fund. Life income gifts allow the donor to receive income while making a gift to the House. Additionally, life income plans can offer an immediate income tax deduction. The charitable remainder unitrust and the charitable remainder annuity trust can be funded with cash or appreciated securities and structured to provide life income for the donor, with RMHC NEO as the ultimate beneficiary. Charitable remainder trusts are individually managed by an external trustee designated by the donor.
All gifts to RMHC NEO are used efficiently and effectively to continue its important mission. Further, RMHC NEO will continue as long as there are sick children who need their families near them while they receive serious medical attention. Whatever you decide, please know that your planned gift is a lasting tribute and testament to your commitment to philanthropy. Today, begin thinking about how you’d like to leave your legacy, and make a lasting and important difference in your community for many tomorrows.
For more information about our giving program, please contact:
Aristea Tzouloufis, Chief Development Officer, 330-253-5400 x1109