Charitable giving

[Purron]

I can't take it with me.
Just as soon give it away while I'm alive.

And you didn't even mention the typo in my post More evidence of your kind nature

 

[Khan]

I was very generous with cash donations when I was w*rking. My budget more than allowed for that.
These days, I continue my annual donation to the local volunteer fire department but no others. I purchase raffle tickets for every good cause that comes across my path.
I do contribute a fair amount of time to the Legion, helping out with or just plain attending breakfasts and spaghetti dinners held as fundraising events.

I've thought of contributing time. Having to be around people is a major reason I retired early.

 

[Moemg]

I believe charity begins at home so most of the money I give away goes to family. The rest goes to Breast cancer research and a small local charity that has a special place in my heart .

 

[MooreBonds]

and then I got mail every 4 weeks asking for more..

While I can't speak for all charities, I'd imagine that many of them buy/rent mailing lists (or simply subcontract out their direct mailing fundraising) to certain firms that will make their own decision on how often to inundate your mailbox with requests. So I'm willing to bet that not all of them have someone sitting in their marketing department waiting to get to the next 6 week mark to release the next wave of envelopes.

When I was 29/30, I had an abnormally high income for 2 years. At that time, because of the tax bracket I was in, I decided to contribute to a DAF (Vanguard Charitable) an amount that equalled roughly 10% of all of my income earned up to that point in my working years since college.

I hadn't really made significant charitable donations prior to that (maybe $250/year to my church). My primary recipient is my church, and I give roughly 4% of my total income (gross wages before taxes/401k contributions + dividends/interest) each year out of the DAF.

Thankfully, I had a large % in cash in my DAF in early 2008, and moved about 20% of my DAF portfolio into the market in March 2008. That move has brought my DAF account balance to 12% above the initial contributions from 4 years ago, even though I've withdrawn 5% in contributions and went through a significant market correction. I'm hoping that I'll be able to make another contribution to the DAF in the near future to bring up the balance high enough to allow it to grow considerably, as I slowly raise the withdrawals.

 

[Texas Proud]

While I can't speak for all charities, I'd imagine that many of them buy/rent mailing lists (or simply subcontract out their direct mailing fundraising) to certain firms that will make their own decision on how often to inundate your mailbox with requests. So I'm willing to bet that not all of them have someone sitting in their marketing department waiting to get to the next 6 week mark to release the next wave of envelopes.
/snip/

First, it was me you quoted..... so I will respond to what you wrote...

I never had received anything from the specific charity that was doing it every 4 or so weeks... until I contributed money... so I do think there is someone at the charity that put you in their database... my name was not purchased...

As to outside firms... the charity gets to make the decision.... if they do not want to inundate people they can tell the outside firm how often they can mail... also, there was a 'newsletter' page that looked like it had to have been prepared by the charity... it could have been one they recycled as I did not look at them often...

Charities have to take the heat for whomever does the 'bad' marketing..... and as I said in one post.... they seem to get more money this way than with the way I would want it to be... so why change for me

 

[mickeyd]

The Q asks about "budgeted" charitable contributions. I vote zero. I do not budget for my charitable gifting at all. When I see a situation that needs immediate contribution I am generally the guy that ponies up the first lump of cash to get it going (at my church mainly). If I had a limit (budget) for this I would feel restricted and I do not want that kind of restriction.

 

[KingB]

I'm thinking about certain religions that practically mandate 10% of a person's income to go to the church, but I wonder if that's way outside the norm or if I'm just a cheapskate.

From what I understand, 10% if for all charity giving and not just for the church. And since charity begins at home, I try to help my relatives who I know need the help. That way, I know that the money goes to people who deserves help. I also give to our church, but not 10%.

The percentage is not what counts. It is a sacrificial giving.

 

[Texas Proud]

From what I understand, 10% if for all charity giving and not just for the church. And since charity begins at home, I try to help my relatives who I know need the help. That way, I know that the money goes to people who deserves help. I also give to our church, but not 10%.

The percentage is not what counts. It is a sacrificial giving.

Time to get some education... here is the first paragraph from Wiki...

"A tithe (pronounced /ˈtaɪð/; from Old English teogoþa "tenth") is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a (usually) voluntary contribution or as a tax or levy, usually to support a religious organization. Today, tithes (or tithing) are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required to be paid in kind, such as agricultural products (that grown of the land, or fruit of the tree). Several European countries operate a formal process linked to the tax system allowing some churches to assess tithes."

The history is 10% to the church....


Here is Wiki for modern time..

"In recent years, tithing has been taught in Christian circles as a form of stewardship that God requires of Christians. The primary argument is that God has never formally "abolished" the tithe, and thus Christians should pay the tithe (usually calculated at 10 percent of all gross[citation needed] income from all sources), although at the Council of Jerusalem the Apostles did not include it in the letter to the Gentile believers (Acts 15:29) and some Christians believe that "Old Covenant" laws have been "abrogated". The tithe is usually given to the local congregation, though some teach that a part of the tithe can go to other Christian ministries, so long as total giving is at least 10 percent. "

My underline... so I can see where you might get that idea... but it does say Christian ministries count... so I would assume that others (cancer society, United Way, etc.) do not count...

 

[braumeister]

My OP didn't mean to distinguish between religious giving and other charitable donations.

My (very limited) understanding is that the Mormons have a very organized and efficient (like everything else they do) system of official tithing for their members. If we have any LDS members here, perhaps you could confirm or deny that?

Fot other religions, I think tithing is mainly voluntary, sometimes strongly encouraged, sometimes left to the individual's conscience.

In the past, I have sometimes struggled to get close to the 10% figure for all kinds of donations, but I don't do that any more.

 

[Independent]

I answered the poll in terms of tax-deductible giving (around 10%). But, for the last couple years that's been overshadowed by direct gifts to family members who have been hit by a combination of health issues and the bad economy.

I'd like to consider some of the taxes I pay "charitable" giving since I know that gov't provides means-tested benefits to people that would otherwise be looking for private charity. The only problem with that is the federal government borrows so much money that it's hard to figure out which part of the spending is actually funded by taxes.

 

[ziggy29]

I don't want to get preachy here, but in terms of how much giving we do, I would invoke Matthew 6:1-4. It may not be for everyone, but I generally try to live it.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Of course, I guess an anonymous poll doesn't really violate that since you aren't drawing attention to yourself. And I guess merely answering the question isn't really going out of your way to say "hey, look at me"...

 

[Martha]

The whole tax deductible thing tends to piss me off. I support the tax deduction but I only used it a couple of years. This is because I end up giving in ways that are not tax deductible. For example, I pay copays for drugs for young people at the day shelter in my old town , where I used to volunteer. Even if they are on medicaid some have to pay copays and have no money. There is no charity set up for this.

I've thought about setting up my own tax exempt charity that would do a few things like this and some other ideas I have, but I am not in one place enough yet. Maybe in a few years. Or not. I'd end up spending time fund raising and that is something I really do not enjoy. I used to be on the board of a couple of charitable organizations and I really, really did not like hitting people up for money all the time.

 

[kyounge1956]

The whole tax deductible thing tends to piss me off. I support the tax deduction but I only used it a couple of years. This is because I end up giving in ways that are not tax deductible. For example, I pay copays for drugs for young people at the day shelter in my old town , where I used to volunteer. Even if they are on medicaid some have to pay copays and have no money. There is no charity set up for this.

I've thought about setting up my own tax exempt charity that would do a few things like this and some other ideas I have, but I am not in one place enough yet. Maybe in a few years. Or not. I'd end up spending time fund raising and that is something I really do not enjoy. I used to be on the board of a couple of charitable organizations and I really, really did not like hitting people up for money all the time.

Would a contribution to the shelter itself have been tax deductible? It might have been possible for you to write a check to the shelter, which could then turn around and use the money to pay that individual's co-pay, or even for the shelter to have a line item on their budget specifically for that purpose which donations could be directed to. Just a thought in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future.

 

[Westernskies]

The whole tax deductible thing tends to piss me off.

Please, don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel.

 

[Texas Proud]

Would a contribution to the shelter itself have been tax deductible? It might have been possible for you to write a check to the shelter, which could then turn around and use the money to pay that individual's co-pay, or even for the shelter to have a line item on their budget specifically for that purpose which donations could be directed to. Just a thought in case you find yourself in a similar situation in the future.

I would think this would have a lot of negatives to it..

First, the shelter would have to agree with that.... then they would have to decide who was worth it and who was not... you can not direct a contribution to a beneficiary... so if you wanted to help out 'Suzie'... you just have to hope they help her...

I also bet there are some IRS rules that might not past muster... but I could be wrong on this...

 

[kyounge1956]

I would think this would have a lot of negatives to it..

First, the shelter would have to agree with that.... then they would have to decide who was worth it and who was not... you can not direct a contribution to a beneficiary... so if you wanted to help out 'Suzie'... you just have to hope they help her...

I also bet there are some IRS rules that might not past muster... but I could be wrong on this...

It is a trade off. Is it more important to direct the donation to one specific individual, or for it to be tax-deductible? It may not be possible to give the cake and deduct it too.

Quite possibly you are right that one couldn't make out a check to the shelter for the purpose of paying Suzie's deductible, but it might be possible to direct the contribution to "paying deductibles for Medicaid recipients who are unable to pay the deductible themselves"—a category which includes Suzie.

 

[Khan]

The individuals to whom I have given money did not ask for such, except indirectly (mention on a blog...).
I have my own criteria for giving away cash.
Have also shipped clothing (after asking if it was wanted).
Have also received clothing.
Have also shipped electronics not used.

Life's too short to keep tight tabs.

 

[ERD50]

The whole tax deductible thing tends to piss me off.

Another super-crazy aspect of charitable tax deductions, is you have to itemize to get them (unless I totally misunderstand this, which is very possible considering the complex counter-intuitive nature of tax code).

Many people, for various reasons cannot itemize (renting versus a mortgage and paying property tax directly can easily make the difference). If we accept that the intent of the deduction is to encourage contributions, what is it about that renter's contributions that are less worth motivating than the homeowner's? Makes no sense to me. Isn't money fungible?

The other thing the govt seems to be saying with that deduction, is that any qualified charity must be more efficient than the govt at helping people (by the amount of your marginal rate). OK, so encourage ALL people to give, if that is the point.

-ERD50

 

[braumeister]

No one will argue that the tax code isn't way too complicated.
Unfortunately, no one wants to give up their pet deductions or exemptions, or squirrelly loophole.

I think most of us give simply because it makes us feel good. I know that's the case for me.

 

[Moemg]

The whole tax deductible thing tends to piss me off.

Me too , most of the money I give is direct to people who need it .

 

[Texas Proud]

Another super-crazy aspect of charitable tax deductions, is you have to itemize to get them (unless I totally misunderstand this, which is very possible considering the complex counter-intuitive nature of tax code).

Many people, for various reasons cannot itemize (renting versus a mortgage and paying property tax directly can easily make the difference). If we accept that the intent of the deduction is to encourage contributions, what is it about that renter's contributions that are less worth motivating than the homeowner's? Makes no sense to me. Isn't money fungible?

The other thing the govt seems to be saying with that deduction, is that any qualified charity must be more efficient than the govt at helping people (by the amount of your marginal rate). OK, so encourage ALL people to give, if that is the point.

-ERD50

I guess you missed the part about the zero bracket amount... it is a high level of deductions so you do not have to keep track of anything... just take it... and it is supposed to include all deductions that an ordinary person would have... including charitable deductions...

Giving it a higher priority than that would not be good... and a lot more fraud to go after.... Also, if you gave it to people who use the standard deduction... then you have taken the benefit away from the people who itemize... you would get the standard plus charity... other would get whatever they added up to be... no extra for charity...

Now you know why the tax code is the way it is... you can not be 'fair' no matter what you do....

 

[ERD50]

No one will argue that the tax code isn't way too complicated.

Unfortunately, no one wants to give up their pet deductions or exemptions, or squirrelly loophole.

I think most of us give simply because it makes us feel good. I know that's the case for me.

Don't say no one, I'll do it in a second. I think the overall benefits of an understandable, well designed tax code are far greater over time than any 'pet deduction' I might get in any given year.

Wait, there's a deduction for pets? Here kitty!

-ERD50

 

[ERD50]

I guess you missed the part about the zero bracket amount... it is a high level of deductions so you do not have to keep track of anything... just take it... and it is supposed to include all deductions that an ordinary person would have... including charitable deductions...

OK, I can see that - the standard deduction supposedly includes an average amount of charitable giving. But that does nothing to implicitly motivate any giving. Though I mostly agree with others, I give what I give pretty much independent of tax deductions - but it was a consideration in some high income years. I gave more in those years and averaged down in other years. Overall, it is a factor to some degree on average, even if it doesn't affect some individuals.

Did someone say 'charity begins in the home', and that one definition of tithing was to include all charitable donations in that %? Well, this past year I donated new appliances and granite to the kitchen in our home, and it really needed it and was very appreciative. I suspect next year I'll be donating a coat of paint, maybe a new A/C and furnace and water heater. It feels good to be so generous.

-ERD50

 

[braumeister]

Don't say no one, I'll do it in a second. I think the overall benefits of an understandable, well designed tax code are far greater over time than any 'pet deduction' I might get in any given year.
-ERD50

OK, I should have said "most people" instead of "no one".
I'm with you. I would love to see the tax code simplified, and would have no problem giving up my favorite deductions if the system could be made really fair. Replacing the entire income tax with a simple VAT or national sales tax might work, but the devil is in the details. How do you keep it low enough to make groceries affordable, yet high enough to reasonably soak the buyer of a mega-yacht?

Putting a lot of IRS employees out of work would rank very low on my list of regrets.

 

[FreeAtLast]

I used to try to give to everyone that was legitimate and requested a donation. I got on too many mailing lists and they started asking for donations more and more frequently.

Recently I started to only donate at the end of the calendar year. I found that many of the charities that I gave to had a year end special push. I also know my income by December and thus now try to give less in years that I have had big personal expenses and more when I find that I have extra.