Qualified Charitable Distribution from Your IRA

Make a difference today and save on taxes. It is possible when you support Catholic Charities through your IRA.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD, from your traditional or Roth IRA account is an easy way to support Catholic Charities' life-giving work and avoid increasing your taxable income. Moreover, for those who are at least 72, QCDs count toward the IRA owner's required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year.
Distributions from an IRA are taxable when received, but with a QCD, these distributions become tax-free as long as they're paid directly from the IRA to an eligible charitable organization like Catholic Charities.
QCDs can be made either electronically or by check payable to Catholic Charities. Please see below for our legal name and EIN to be sure that your gift goes toward the people and programs you care about.
Lowering your taxable income may reduce the impact on certain tax credits and deductions, including Social Security and Medicare.

At-a-glance: Some requirements and restrictions to keep in mind:
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• Donor must be 70 ½ or older.
• Gift must be made directly from the IRA to a 501c3 charitable organization. Gifts from 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans are prohibited.
• Gifts to all charities combined may not exceed more than $100,000 per individual taxpayer for the year.
• Gifts may not be made to a donor-advised fund, supporting organization, or private foundation.
• The gift is not included in taxable income; thus, no charitable deduction is allowed.

​If you still have questions, please review the FAQs below or contact us at the information listed at the bottom of the page. Catholic Charities is not a legal or financial advising entity. We encourage you to reach out to a legal or financial advisor you trust before making these important decisions.

I am turning age 70½ in a few months. Can I make this gift now?

​No. You must be 70½ by the date you make the gift.

I have several retirement accounts, including pensions and IRAs. Does it matter which retirement account I use?

Yes. Direct gifts to a qualified charity can only be made from an IRA. Under certain circumstances, however, you may be able to roll assets from a pension, profit sharing, thrift savings plan (TSP), 401(k), or 403(b) plan into an IRA and then make the transfer from the IRA directly to Catholic Charities. To determine if a rollover to an IRA is available for your plan, speak with your plan administrator.

Do I need to give my entire IRA to be eligible for the tax benefits?

​No. You can give any amount under this provision, as long as it is no more than $100,000 per year. If your IRA is valued at more than $100,000, you can transfer a portion of it to fund a charitable gift.

When do I need to make my gift?

​We must receive your gift by Dec. 31 for your donation to qualify this year. If you have check-writing features on your IRA, please be aware that your check must clear your account by Dec. 31 to count toward your required minimum distribution for the calendar year.

I have two charities I want to support. Can I give $100,000 from my IRA to each?

​No. Under the law, you can give a maximum of $100,000 per year. For example, you can give each organization $50,000 this year or any other combination that totals $100,000 or less. Any amount of more than $100,000 in one year must be reported as taxable income.

My spouse and I would like to give more than $100,000. How can we do that?

​If you have a spouse (as defined by the IRS) who is 70½ or older, they can also give any amount up to $100,000 from their IRA.

I have already named Catholic Charities as the beneficiary of my IRA. What are the benefits if I make a gift now instead of after my lifetime?

​By making a gift this year of any amount up to $100,000 from your IRA, you can see your philanthropic dollars at work. You are jump-starting the legacy you would like to leave and giving yourself the joy of watching your philanthropy take shape. Additionally, you can enjoy the financial benefits mentioned above, and know that you and Catholic Charities are both benefitting from your decision today.

Ready to make your gift?

If you wish to make a charitable IRA rollover transfer, you can contact your IRA administrator and request them to transfer funds to the charity or charities you have chosen. Please be sure to use our legal name and contact information provided below to ensure your gift reaches us. We would be pleased to assist you by answering any queries you may have and guiding you through the process of making your donation.

Tip: It is critical to let us know of your gift because many popular retirement plan administrators assume no obligation to notify a charity of your designation. The administrator also will not monitor whether your gift designations are followed. We would love the opportunity to talk to you about your intentions, and to thank you for your generosity.