Cash gifts—made via check, credit card, or currency—are a popular and vital way to support our mission. They offer both an immediate impact on our work and potential tax advantages:

Immediate Support: Your gift provides direct, tangible funding for our current programs and initiatives.

Tax Deductibility: If you itemize, the full amount of your gift may be tax-deductible, potentially reducing your overall tax liability.

Deduction Limits: You can deduct up to 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) in the year of the gift.

Note: Your actual tax savings will depend on your specific marginal income tax bracket and current IRS deduction limitations.

Donating appreciated assets—such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds held for more than one year—is often the most cost-effective way to maximize your impact.

Double Tax Advantage: You receive an immediate income tax deduction for the full market value of the security, while also avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation.

Deduction Limits: Deductions for long-term appreciated securities are generally limited to 30% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Any excess may be carried forward for up to five years.

Provisions: Note that deductions are subject to specific IRS regulations, including AGI thresholds and potential caps on tax benefit percentages based on your tax bracket.

A gift in your will is the simplest way to give. You can designate a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your assets to the Museum in your will or living trust.

Sample Language for Your Will:
"I give, devise, and bequeath to the Louisiana Children’s Museum, a non-profit corporation located in New Orleans, LA, [percentage of estate / specific sum / description of property] for its general charitable purposes."

Continue your support without touching your current cash flow by naming LCM as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or life insurance policy. This is often as simple as filling out a form with your plan administrator.

Both Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) and Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs) allow donors to align their personal financial goals—such as income security or wealth transfer—with their philanthropic desire to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Louisiana Children's Museum.

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT): Donors transfer assets into a trust to receive a steady income stream for a specific term or life, with the remaining assets eventually benefiting the museum.

Charitable Lead Trusts (CLT): The museum receives income from the trust for a set period, after which the principal assets pass to the donor’s heirs, often providing significant estate and gift tax benefits.

Donating appreciated property can provide a double tax benefit, allowing you to avoid capital gains tax while receiving a charitable deduction for the full market value.

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) offers a flexible, tax-efficient way to manage your charitable giving. It allows you to make a contribution today—securing an immediate tax benefit—while maintaining the freedom to decide which causes to support down the road.

Think of it as a personal "charitable savings account" that empowers you to support the Louisiana Children’s Museum and your other favorite nonprofits on your own timeline.

How It Works

Simple Setup: Establish your fund with an initial donation and add to it whenever you choose.

Diverse Assets: Beyond cash or securities, many DAFs accept complex assets like real estate, cryptocurrency, or closely held stock, helping you unlock more value for your giving.

Expert Administration: Once contributed, the fund sponsor handles all the management and paperwork, freeing you from the day-to-day administrative burden.

Immediate Tax Benefits: You qualify for a charitable income tax deduction the moment you contribute to your DAF, even if the funds aren't distributed to a charity until later.

Advisory Privileges: You retain the right to recommend grants from your fund to specific charities, ensuring your generosity reaches the organizations that matter most to you.

Note: Charitable deductions are subject to specific limitations based on your individual tax situation.