Tax Smart Giving

Invest in your community. Give with purpose.

When you give to United Way, you are investing in lasting change that strengthens lives and communities across our region. Through a variety of tax-smart giving options, you can support your community while also making thoughtful decisions about your financial and philanthropic goals.

Explore the giving methods below to find the option that best fits your goals and allows you to make the greatest possible impact.

Questions about tax-smart giving?
Contact Andy Gail, CEO/President  agail@unitedwaynsv.org | 540-536-1610


Choose the option that best fits your financial goals and your vision for community impact.

Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can be a powerful way to give. In many cases, you may avoid capital gains taxes while supporting long-term community impact.

To get started: Contact your broker and request a transfer of securities to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley.

If you are eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), you may be able to donate directly from your IRA and reduce taxable income, depending on your circumstances.

To get started: Contact your IRA plan administrator and request a charitable distribution to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley.

A Donor-Advised Fund is a simple and tax-efficient way to support the causes you care about.

When you recommend a grant to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, your gift is invested in a coordinated community portfolio supporting housing, food security, health, education, and family stability.

Suggested minimum DAF grant: $1,500. Give Here


 

You can make a difference not just today, but for future generations, by including United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley in your will.

Sample Will Language

“I, [Name], of [City, State, Zip], give, devise, and bequeath to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, a nonprofit organization, the following asset(s) and/or property to be used for its general charitable purposes:
• Dollar amount of money
• Percentage of my residuary estate
• Description of specific asset (real estate, stocks, bonds, etc.)”
 

You can name United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley as a beneficiary of an IRA, life insurance policy, or other financial account. This is a simple way to create long-term impact.
 

In some situations, donating property can support community impact while helping you manage tax liability. Examples may include land, vehicles, or other assets, depending on acceptability and condition.
 

You can name United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley as the beneficiary or owner of a life insurance policy to create a meaningful future gift.

This option allows you to make a significant impact without affecting your current income.

To get started: Speak with your insurance provider or financial advisor.

A charitable gift annuity allows you to make a gift to United Way while receiving fixed payments for life in return.

This option can provide steady income for you or a loved one while supporting long-term community impact.

An endowment gift is a way to invest in the future of our community. Your contribution is invested and preserved over time, while a portion of the earnings is used each year to support United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley’s work.

This approach allows your gift to create lasting impact, providing steady, reliable support for housing stability, food security, health access, education, and family support for generations to come.

Endowment gifts are ideal for donors who want their generosity to have a permanent legacy and ensure that community needs can be met not only today, but far into the future.

A memorial or tribute gift is a meaningful way to honor or remember someone special while making a lasting difference in the community.

When you make a gift in memory or in honor of a loved one, your contribution supports United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley’s work across housing, food security, health, education, and family stability. It is a way to celebrate a life, mark an important moment, or express gratitude while helping others thrive.

Tribute gifts can be made to recognize birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, or other milestones, and memorial gifts provide a way to remember a loved one through positive, lasting impact.

These gifts turn personal moments into community change, creating a legacy of care that reaches far beyond a single day.


Advisor Checklist 

Your advisor may need the following information:

Legal name:
United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley

Employer Identification Number (EIN):
54-0525106

Mailing address:
329 N. Cameron Street, Suite 201
Winchester, VA 22601

Suggested designation:
Where Most Needed

Primary contact:
Contact Andy Gail, CEO/President  agail@unitedwaynsv.org | 540-536-1610

Notes:
• Gifts should be made payable to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley
• No goods or services are provided in exchange for your gift
• Donor-Advised Fund grants may not be used to fulfill personal pledges
• Tax receipts are issued by your fund sponsor or financial institution, when applicable


How Different Giving Methods May Affect Taxes

Different giving methods can affect your taxes in different ways. While United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley does not provide tax advice, the general differences below may help guide conversations with your advisor:

Appreciated Securities (Stocks or Mutual Funds)
Donating appreciated securities may allow you to avoid capital gains tax on the increase in value while supporting community impact.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
Eligible donors may be able to give directly from an IRA, which can count toward required minimum distributions and reduce taxable income, depending on individual circumstances.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
Tax benefits are generally realized when you contribute to your DAF. You can then recommend grants over time to support community needs as they arise.

Gifts Through Your Will or Beneficiary Designations
These gifts may reduce estate tax exposure while creating long-term community impact.

Property or Non-Cash Assets
In some cases, donating property or other assets may provide tax advantages compared to selling the asset and donating cash.

Every donor’s situation is unique. We encourage you to consult with your tax or financial advisor to determine which option best fits your goals.Our Commitment to Your Gift


Honoring Your Generosity

United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley is grateful for every donor who chooses to invest in our community.

Donors may choose to be recognized for their generosity through United Way publications and communications, including annual reports and donor listings. Donors who prefer to remain anonymous may do so at any time.

For memorial and tribute gifts, families or honorees can be notified of your gift, unless you request anonymity. Notification letters are sent without reference to the gift amount.

If you have specific recognition preferences, we are happy to work with you to ensure your wishes are respected.

Accountability You Can Trust

When you invest in United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, you deserve to know your gift is being cared for and put to work wisely.

We meet national United Way membership standards and complete required financial and program reporting each year to ensure accountability to donors, partners, and the community. Our organization is also recognized by independent charity evaluators, including Charity Navigator, for responsible financial management and effective use of resources.

These standards and third-party reviews help ensure your gift is managed with integrity and invested where it can make the greatest difference for families and communities across the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

Your generosity is not just received. It is stewarded with care and directed with purpose.

Charity Navigator:
View our independent rating and financial profile 

Candid/Guidestar:
View our independent rating and financial profile 

Financial Transparency:
Access our annual reports, IRS Form 990, and audited financial statements 
 

These independent evaluations help ensure that your gift is managed with integrity and invested where it can do the most good for our community.

Your generosity is treated as an investment in the long-term health and resilience of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley stewards every gift with care, transparency, and accountability, directing resources where they are needed most to strengthen families, stabilize essential systems, and build a stronger future for the region.

Thank you for investing in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.