Glaucoma Research Foundation President and CEO, Thomas Brunner, has made generous annual contributions since joining the staff in 2003. Tom notes: “I truly believe in our mission and feel it is critical for me to lead by example by making a meaningful gift each year. My gifts are an investment in a future free from glaucoma.”
In addition to Tom’s deep and ongoing commitment to Glaucoma Research Foundation’s work to restore vision and find a cure, he is also mindful of tax-smart ways to contribute. Currently, both he and his wife, Wallace, make yearly gifts through their IRAs. “Utilizing our IRAs to make charitable gifts makes great economic sense for us as the distributions we direct to Glaucoma Research Foundation are not subject to income taxes,” Tom adds. “It allows us to make more significant contributions each year to support our innovative research programs and patient education initiatives.”
Known as the IRA charitable rollover or qualified charitable distribution (QCD), individuals 70½ years of age or older can give up to $105,000 per year without having to pay income taxes on the funds distributed. Also, beginning the year you turn 73, you can use your QCD to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD). Since you do not pay income taxes on the gift, the transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so donors can benefit even if they do not itemize their deductions.
Tom adds: “No matter your age, you can designate Glaucoma Research Foundation as the beneficiary of all or a percentage of your IRA. Retirement assets are an excellent way to support causes important to you since they pass tax-free after your lifetime.”
If you are inspired to help create a future free from glaucoma, there are many ways you can make a gift to fund innovative research to find a cure without giving up assets you may need today.
To become an integral part of Glaucoma Research Foundation’s future, contact Nancy Graydon at 415-986-3162 ext. 231 or ngraydon@glaucoma.org for more information.