As you consider year-end tax planning, we hope you consider making good use of the income tax charitable deduction. A year-end gift can significantly reduce your income taxes, while providing meaningful support for St. Francis Children's Center.

No matter your income, if you itemize, you can almost always lower your income taxes through charitable giving. The amount of the savings will depend on your tax bracket.

Giving is, of course, much more than tax brackets and charitable deductions. Your charitable gifts make an important difference in what St. Francis Children's Center is able to accomplish. Here are some of the best year-end gift ideas:

Gifts of Cash - If you itemize, you can lower your income taxes simply by writing us a check by December 31, 2007. There is no easier way to garner a 2007 year-end charitable deduction! Some employers will match your charitable gifts, meaning your gifts are worth even more. If your company has a matching gift program, simply enclose the form along with your check.

Gifts of Stock - If you own stock, it is almost always more tax-wise to contribute stock than cash. This is because a gift of appreciated stock generally offers a two-fold tax savings. First, you avoid paying any capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock. Second, you receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift.

Make sure you have owned the stock for a "long term" period of time (this generally means that you have held the stock for more than one year) to qualify for these significant tax advantages. Your gift of stock should be postmarked by December 31. In the alternative, a stockbroker or trust officer can arrange for a year-end gift of stock from your account.

Gifts of Life Insurance - If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed, consider it the perfect vehicle for a 2007 year-end charitable gift! To receive a charitable deduction, name St. Francis Children's Center as both the owner and beneficiary of that policy. If the policy has a cash value, you can take a charitable deduction approximately equal to the cash value at the time of the gift. In addition, if annual premiums are still to be made and you continue to pay them, those premiums will become tax deductible each year. It's easy to do-just check with your life insurance agent on which forms to complete.

Bequests - While you're considering your 2007 income tax savings, this may also be a good time to consider long-term tax savings. The federal estate tax can still take 37% to 55% of one's estate at the time of death. A way to save on federal estate taxes is to provide for a charitable bequest in your will. Tax laws favor those who are charitably inclined. A bequest in your will, which remembers St. Francis Children's Center, is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes.

We hope you will consider a charitable bequest in your will to benefit us while you save estate tax dollars at the same time. We can be named as a beneficiary in a will in any one of a number of simple ways. In many cases you can easily add us to your will through a simple amendment, thus your entire will does not have to be redrafted.

For Further Information - Please call the Development Office at (414) 351-0450 if you would like additional information on any gifts you may be considering. We deeply appreciate your support…year-end and throughout the year.

As always, make sure to check with your accountant, tax attorney, or other tax advisor for additional information on how these general rules apply to your situation.

Thank you for your interest and support.