ways of giving

There are many ways to support Caltech, some of which may even allow donors to provide more than they realize. Some key tax considerations that may help donors increase the amount of their gifts are described below.

Cash Gifts

The simplest method of giving is to send a personal check. Please make checks payable to Caltech.

Please send checks to:

California Institute of Technology
Mail Code 5-32
Pasadena, CA 91125

Credit Card

To make a credit card gift online to the Alumni Fund, please click here.

Appreciated Securities

When donors give long-term appreciated securities, not only do they receive an income tax deduction equal to the fair market value of their securities, but they also avoid capital gain taxes on the transfer.

Real and Personal Property

A residence or other real property may be given as an outright gift, or donors may prefer to give their home and retain the right to occupy the property for life. Personal property such as paintings, library books, or musical instruments can also make useful gifts.

Bequests

A will provision allows donors to make a substantial contribution without diminishing the assets available to them during their lifetime. Since bequests are deductible from their taxable estate, significant estate tax savings are possible.

Pooled Income Fund

Gifts to a pooled income fund are invested together with gifts of other donors to the fund, and the income earned by the fund each year is shared among the participants. Donors incur no capital gain on the transfer of appreciated long-term securities to the fund. Donors also receive a charitable deduction for a portion of their gift as calculated with Internal Revenue Service tables.

Charitable Gift Annuity

In exchange for a gift of money or securities, Caltech will pay the donor or a loved one a fixed amount annually for the rest of his or her life. A large portion of the income is tax free, and donors also receive a charitable deduction for part of their gift.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Donors can use an irrevocable trust to provide themselves or a loved one with a fixed annual income or an income that varies with the amount of the trust. Part of the trust qualifies for an income tax deduction. At the death of the last income beneficiary, the corpus of the trust is distributed to the charity.

Charitable Lead Trust

Donors can support Caltech for a term of years or for the life of an individual by creating a charitable lead trust. Income will be paid to the Institute each year during the life of the trust. When the trust terminates, the assets in the trust revert to the donor or to individuals the donor wishes to benefit.

Life Insurance

When donors give a life insurance policy to charity, the present cash surrender value of the policy is deductible as a charitable contribution. If donors continue to pay premiums after their gift, they are also deductible.