Ways to Give

The Community Giving Foundation makes it easy for individuals and organizations to effectively support meaningful philanthropy in the Central Susquehanna region. Working with the Foundation allows you to utilize a variety of assets as charitable gifts. Our staff is happy to assist you in carrying out the most convenient ways for you to give—either now or through a planned gift in the future.


Give Now

You can start supporting your community now with an outright gift of:

CASH: An easy and convenient way for you to support worthy causes in the community. Gifts of cash enable you as a donor to claim a current tax deduction of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income in any one year when you itemize deductions, with the excess—if any—carried forward for an additional five years. Actual savings from gifts of cash depend on your tax bracket—the higher the tax bracket, the higher the deduction.


  • Check: Make check payable to Community Giving Foundation and note the name of the fund you are donating to in the memo line. Mail your check to: 725 West Front Street, Berwick, PA 18603

SECURITIES: Gifts of appreciated securities offer important tax advantages, since their full fair market value is deductible as a charitable contribution up to 30% of your adjusted gross income each year when you itemize deductions. Like gifts of cash, deduction amounts that exceed the limit can be carried forward for up to five additional years. You do not have to pay federal or state capital gains taxes on the appreciated portion of the gift. After the Foundation liquidates the securities, the full value of the gift is available to support your charitable goals.

REAL ESTATE: Community Giving Foundation can accept a gift of a house or other personal residence, farm, commercial buildings, and income producing or non-income producing land. A gift of real estate that you have owned for more than a year entitles you to the same federal tax advantages as those for gifts of securities - a tax deduction for the fair market value of the property while allowing you to avoid paying capital gains tax. The Foundation can accept most unencumbered real estate property gifts.

PERSONAL PROPERTY: Community Giving Foundation will consider gifts of personal property, such as artwork and jewelry. This type of gift must be discussed individually and in advance with the Foundation.

COMMODITIES: Community Giving Foundation will accept farm commodities as charitable gifts. It is important that you arrange this gift with the Foundation to be eligible for tax benefits.


Give Later

You can make a planned gift to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime, support your community, and possibly give more than you ever thought you could. Planned gifts can be used to start an endowed fund or add to an existing one. Learn more about Planned Giving here. Designate Community Giving Foundation as the beneficiary of:

BEQUESTS: May enable you to reduce estate taxes while supporting your community. Learn more about Bequests here.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES: Allow you to make a gift now that will provide a tax deduction and income for life. The remaining funds of the charitable gift annuity will be used to support your charitable interests. Learn more about Charitable Gift Annuities here.

IRA ROLLOVER or QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION: Allow you to transfer up to $100,000 directly from your individual retirement account tax-free if you are over the page of 70 1/2. Learn more about IRA Rollover here.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS: Allow you to receive income (or provide income for another person), with the knowledge that the funds remaining when the trust terminates will be used to support your charitable interests.

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUSTS: Enable you to make significant charitable gifts in the near term while transferring substantial assets to beneficiaries, who may benefit from significantly lowered gift and estate taxes.

RETAINED LIFE ESTATES: Ensure that you or another person have lifetime security in a home that you have given to the Foundation as a charitable contribution.

LIFE INSURANCE: Can be used as a charitable asset, thereby enabling you to be eligible for a charitable tax deduction based on the current value of the paid-up policy.

RETIREMENT FUND PLANS: Can be used to support your charitable interests while achieving significant tax advantages for your heirs.


For More Information

Please contact Community Giving Foundation Staff for more information on charitable giving. The Foundation's Gift Acceptance Policy is available upon request.


Alyssa Meyers-Sanonu, Director of Philanthropy
570.752.3930 ext. 3 or [email protected]

Kara G. Seesholtz, President and CEO
570.752.3930 ext. 4 or [email protected]


Planned giving can be an important component of your estate plan. The information on this site is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice. Please consult an attorney, tax advisor, or investment professional.

All contributions are administered through the Community Giving Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. IRS regulations require us to state that no goods or services were provided in consideration for your gift, and the Foundation has exclusive legal control over the contributed assets. The official registration and financial information of the Community Giving Foundation may be obtained from PA Dept. of State by calling toll free, within PA, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.