Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)

Support Our Mission Directly from Your IRA

If you are 70½ or older, you can make a tax-advantaged gift directly from your traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) using a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

A QCD allows you to support our work today while excluding the distributed amount from your taxable income. For donors aged 73 or older, QCD gifts also count toward satisfying your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).

Why Consider a QCD?

• Tax-Free Impact: Unlike standard withdrawals, funds transferred directly to our 501(c)(3) organization do not count as taxable gross income.

• Smart Giving Without Itemizing: You receive the tax benefit even if you take the standard deduction on your federal return.

• Fulfill Your RMD: Offset mandatory distributions without pushing yourself into a higher tax bracket or affecting Medicare premiums.

Instructions for Donors & Custodians

Important Rule: To qualify, funds must be transferred directly from your IRA custodian to our organization. If you withdraw the funds personally first, the distribution becomes taxable.

Step 1: Contact Your IRA Custodian

Notify your IRA administrator (e.g., Vanguard, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Merrill Lynch) that you wish to execute a direct Qualified Charitable Distribution. Most institutions have a standard one-page form or online transfer portal.

Step 2: Provide Our Organization Details

Provide your custodian with the following details for check issuance or direct transfer:

Critical Note: Ensuring Your Gift Is Acknowledged

Custodians frequently mail checks directly from clearinghouses without including the donor’s name, phone number, or return address. To ensure we can properly credit your gift and send a timely tax receipt:

1. Request a Memo Line Note: Instruct your custodian to include your full name and "QCD Donation" in the memo line or on the remittance advice.

2. Notify Us in Advance: Please send a brief note info@delcoscience.org or call us at 1-610-566-5126 with:

   • Your name and mailing address

   • The IRA custodian name

   • The expected transfer amount and date

Need Wire or Direct Brokerage Transfer Instructions?

If your custodian requires a DTC transfer, wire instructions, or electronic delivery instead of a physical check, please reach out directly to our treasurer at finance@delcoscience.org for account and routing credentials.

Disclaimers: Delaware County Institute of Science is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. This information is provided for educational purposes and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Please consult your financial advisor or CPA to confirm how a QCD applies to your specific tax situation.