Year End Giving Tips

Your philanthropic support enables our students and faculty to transform the world, empowering the next generation of global changemakers. As you consider your year-end giving options, here are a few tips to maximize your year-end donation and how to maximize your end of year giving opportunities.

Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA): The Gift That Pays You!

Good News! Gift annuities remain a tax-effective gift strategy providing life-long income and the satisfaction of giving back to RPI. CGA payout rates remain high and are fixed, no matter what the markets do. The table below illustrates the rates, annual payments and the charitable deduction of a $25,000 gift on our mission:

Age Annual Income Payout Rate Charitable Deduction in 2025
65 Immediate 5.7% $7,942
70 Immediate 6.3% $8,662
65 Deferred 5 years 7.9% $9,856
70 Deferred 5 years 8.8% $11,473
  • With a gift annuity, you donate using cash, marketable securities, or other assets, and we, in turn, pay you a fixed amount for life.*
  • Establish a CGA before 12/31/25 for a 2025 charitable deduction. The Discount Rate fluctuates monthly, so act today to take advantage of your maximum charitable deduction.

To learn more about CGAs, please contact Drew Babitts, Director of Gift Planning, at babita@rpi.edu or 518-276-8365.

*CGAs may not be available to residents in certain states.  Age restrictions apply.

Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under this agreement, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association.  A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. This information should not be considered legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Your actual benefits may vary depending on several factors, including the timing of your gift

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from Your IRA

Quick Facts:

  • Must be 70 ½ or older.
  • Donate up to a total of $105,000 per year.
  • Must be transferred directly from your IRA to Rensselaer.
  • Does not create taxable income, nor is it tax deductible.

MORE ABOUT QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS

Donating Long-term Appreciated Securities: The Benefits

Quick Facts:

  • Costs less because you paid less. No capital gains tax.
  • Itemizers can deduct the fair market value.
  • Eliminate capital gain from your portfolio by repurchasing the security with the cash you would have donated.

VIEW TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS

Donor Advised Fund Gifts

  • Donor Advised Fund gifts are another year-end gift option and make an immediate impact to help our students change the world.

VIEW DETAILS AND GIVE NOW FROM YOUR DONOR ADVISED FUND

Please note that the content found on this site is general in nature and intended to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be relied upon as legal, tax, accounting or other professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are my options for year-end giving?

Gifts of cash (money order) or personal check are generally tax deductible up to 50% of the donor’s adjusted gross income. Any excess can be carried over for five years.

Send your gift to RPI via secure lockbox:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Gifts Processing Center
P.O. Box 3164
Boston, MA 02241-3164

For information about giving stock and securities please visit our Appreciated Securities page.

For information about all our giving options please visit our How to Give page.

Note: If you’d like to make a gift in honor or memoriam, please indicate the name of the person on the memo line in your check, or on the online form. You may also email us and let us know a recent gift is in honor or memoriam.

How do I ensure that my contribution is counted in 2025?

For your year-end contribution to be credited for the 2025 tax year, please make your gift on or before December 31, 2025.

Will someone be available to answer my questions during the time period the Rensselaer offices are closed?

Yes, a representative will be available via phone (518) 276-6055 and email to answer questions. We will return your message as soon as we can.

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