If you're 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA to charity (up to $100,000 annually) to satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD). This reduces your taxable income while supporting causes you care about.

This provision may be especially attractive for retirees who don’t need all the income from their IRA to meet current living expenses. By donating the money to charity, you can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to a worthy cause while effectively lowering your tax bill.

A charitable bequest can be established through a current Will or Revocable Living Trust prepared with the guidance of your legal advisor. You may choose to designate your gift as a percentage of your estate, or as a specific bequest of cash, securities, or other property.

Upon the settlement of your estate, the Northwest CT Arts Council will receive your gift, helping to sustain arts and culture in our region for generations to come. Your estate may also qualify for an estate tax charitable deduction equal to the full value of the bequest.

Create tax savings now while preserving assets for your family through a Charitable Lead Trust. 

The trust pays annual income to Northwest CT Arts Council for a period you choose, then transfers remaining assets to your beneficiaries. This approach reduces gift taxes while supporting our mission and protecting your family's inheritance.