Qualified Charitable Distributions
Support Georgia's parks while reducing your tax burden with IRA distributions
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals age 70½ or older to donate directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. This tax-smart giving strategy can help you support the parks you love while meeting your Required Minimum Distribution requirements.
How It Works
- You can transfer up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to Friends of Georgia State Parks
- The amount counts toward your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
- The transfer is excluded from your taxable income, reducing your overall tax burden
- QCDs must be made directly from the IRA custodian to the charity to qualify
Benefits for Donors
- Reduces taxable income (even if you don't itemize deductions)
- Counts toward your RMD, satisfying IRS withdrawal requirements
- Supports parks and historic sites while reducing your tax liability
- No upper limit on the amount that can be excluded from income (up to $100,000)
Requirements
- Donor must be 70½ or older at the time of the gift
- Must come from a traditional IRA (other retirement accounts, like 401(k)s, need to be rolled into an IRA first)
- The gift must go directly to Friends of Georgia State Parks; you cannot receive the distribution personally
- The charity cannot provide goods or services in exchange for the gift
Example Scenario
Sarah is 73 years old and required to take a $25,000 Required Minimum Distribution from her IRA this year. Instead of taking the distribution personally (which would be taxable income), she directs her IRA custodian to transfer the entire $25,000 directly to Friends of Georgia State Parks.
Result: The $25,000 satisfies her RMD requirement but is not included in her taxable income, potentially saving her thousands in taxes while supporting the parks she loves.
How to Make a QCD
- Contact your IRA custodian (the bank or financial institution that manages your account)
- Request a direct transfer to Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
- Provide our legal name, address, and EIN (Employer Identification Number)
- Notify us so we can properly acknowledge your gift
Sample Language for Your IRA Custodian
Ready to Make Your QCD?
Our team can help guide you through the process and ensure your Qualified Charitable Distribution is handled properly. Contact us for assistance with your IRA transfer.
Phone: (770) 383-8900
Email: legacy@friendsofgastateparks.org