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Getting Involved as a Donor
Opportunity Knocks is almost completely privately funded. We count on support from individuals to keep our programs going. Please consider getting involved as a donor.
Giving Options
RECURRING DONATIONS
Monthly or recurring gifts let you spread your giving throughout the year, easily budget for charitable contributions and make an ongoing commitment to Opportunity Knocks. To set up a recurring donation, click on the Recurring Donation link below. Then select your donation amount, check the box ‘Create Recurring Donation’ and set your donation frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc). It’s that easy!
CORPORATE MATCH
Corporate matching gifts are a type of philanthropy in which companies financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations.
When an employee makes a donation, they’ll request the matching gift from their employer, who then makes their own donation. Companies usually match donations at a 1:1 ratio, but some will match at a 2:1, 3:1, or even a 4:1 ratio.
DONATE GENTLY USED SPORTING GOODS
Did you know that you can support OK by donating your gently used sports or fitness equipment to Play It Again Sports in Forest Park?
Whether gently used, too small, or just no longer needed, bring it in to Play it Again Sports! Anything they can re-sell, they will purchase and give you the option of donating your proceeds to OK.
For more information on the types of gear they purchase, visit their website via the button below!
Where to Give
Donate Stock
Donation of appreciated shares of marketable securities like stocks, bonds and mutual funds is an attractive, tax-wise alternative to a cash contribution. Benefits to you are many. You will have lower out-of-pocket costs for your contribution. You may avoid capital gains tax by donating the appreciated securities to OK. You may take a charitable income tax deduction, as defined by law, equal to the value of the donated securities on the date the gift is irrevocably transferred to OK through its intermediary Stock Donator.
Memorial & Honor Gifts
Remember the life of a departed one or honor a special person in your life through a donation to Opportunity Knocks. Donations made in remembrance or in honor of a loved one positively impact individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.
Donate Tax-Free from Your IRA
You can donate some or all of the amount of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA directly to a charity, tax-free. If you’re eligible to do so, you can use a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
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Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
- Ensure you’re eligible to make a QCD. You must be at least 70½ years old at the time of the donation, and the maximum annual QCD amount is $100,000.
Step 2: Choose a Qualified Charity
- Pick a qualified 501(c)(3) charity that can accept QCDs. Donor-advised funds and private foundations generally don’t qualify, so check with the charity if you’re unsure.
Step 3: Contact Your IRA Custodian
- Reach out to your IRA custodian (the financial institution that holds your IRA) and inform them of your intention to make a QCD.
- Request the necessary paperwork or online forms for a QCD. Most custodians will have a process specifically for QCD requests.
Step 4: Complete the QCD Request Form
- Fill out the QCD form provided by your custodian. You’ll need to specify the charity’s details, the donation amount, and confirm that it’s a direct transfer.
- Ensure you list the charity’s name exactly as registered and include any required tax identification numbers if requested by your custodian.
Step 5: Verify Direct Transfer to Charity
- For the distribution to count as a QCD, it must go directly from your IRA to the charity, not to you personally.
- Your IRA custodian will send the check directly to the charity, or in some cases, they may send the check to you to deliver as long as it’s made payable to the charity.
Step 6: Keep Records of the QCD
- Request a receipt from the charity confirming the donation. The IRS doesn’t require itemization for QCDs, but having a receipt is good for your records.
- Your IRA custodian will send you a 1099-R form at tax time showing the distribution, which you’ll need when filing.
Step 7: Report the QCD on Your Tax Return
- On your tax return, report the QCD as a non-taxable IRA distribution. You’ll indicate the gross distribution but show the taxable amount as zero.
- Write “QCD” next to the line on your tax return where you report IRA distributions to show it was a Qualified Charitable Distribution.
Important Notes:
- Make sure the donation is completed by December 31 if you want it to count for the current tax year.
- QCDs count toward your RMD but aren’t included in your taxable income, which can reduce your Adjusted Gross Income and, in turn, potentially lower your tax liability.
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
Here at Opportunity Knocks, the door is always open. We strive to help one another and consistenly grow in our community as we work together to reach goals and build friendships that last a lifetime. Consider signing up on our mailing list and joining our community. Do you hear that? That’s Opportunity Knocking!
Also be sure to come check out our blog to keep up with the latest events and stories happening here at Opportunity Knocks!