Your Generosity, Your Way
There is no single right way to support the Kernersville community – and the Kernersville Foundation is designed to meet you where you are. Whether you want to make an immediate difference, honor a personal passion, plan a lasting legacy, or simply give in the most tax-efficient way possible, we have a path for you. Below you'll find the full range of giving options we support, along with the types of gifts we accept. If you have questions about what makes sense for your situation, we're happy to assist.
HOW YOU CAN GIVE
General Unrestricted Gift: The most flexible form of support. An unrestricted gift goes into the Foundation's grant pool and is distributed by our Board of Directors to the Kernersville nonprofits with the greatest need in the upcoming grant cycle. If you trust us to put your dollars where they'll do the most good, this is the simplest, most powerful option.
Designated Gift: Have a cause or organization close to your heart? A designated gift directs your contribution to one or more specific nonprofits of your choosing. Your wishes are honored, and your support is added directly on top of the Foundation's existing grants to those organizations, amplifying the impact even further.
Donor-Advised Fund (DAF): A Donor-Advised Fund lets you receive a charitable tax deduction now while taking your time deciding how to direct the funds. You establish the fund, receive an immediate tax benefit in that year, and then choose which organizations to support through disbursements – even years down the road. There is no start-up cost to establish a DAF through the Kernersville Foundation. We charge a 1% annual fee to manage the account, with the fee being passed along to Kernersville nonprofits through our grants.
Planned Giving: Planned giving is one of the most meaningful ways to ensure Kernersville's future, and it can be simpler than you think. At its most straightforward, it means designating the Kernersville Foundation in your will or trust. Donors can choose to: name specific local nonprofits to receive the gift; spread it broadly across the Kernersville nonprofit community; or contribute to the permanent fund, where the principal is preserved in perpetuity and only the earnings are used to support local organizations each year. We encourage you to contact us before finalizing any planned gift so we can help ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as intended.
Endowed Fund: Establish a fund in your name or in honor of someone you love, and the Foundation will invest the principal and use the earnings to support the charitable purpose you designate, year after year. It's a way to create a lasting, named legacy in the Kernersville community.
Estate Gift: A gift through your estate, whether via will, trust, or beneficiary designation, is an expression of your values and your connection to this community. Estate gifts of any size help ensure the Foundation can serve Kernersville for generations to come. Please reach out to us before making your decision; we'd welcome the conversation.
TYPES OF GIFTS ACCEPTED
Cash: The simplest form of giving. Checks, credit cards, and electronic transfers are all welcome.
Appreciated Stock: Giving stock that has grown in value is one of the smartest ways to give. When you donate appreciated stock directly to the Foundation rather than selling it first, you avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation. Plus the full fair market value of the stock counts as a charitable deduction on your return. It's a win for you and a win for the community.
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) / Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): If you are 73 or older, federal law requires you to withdraw a minimum amount from your retirement accounts each year. That withdrawal is ordinarily taxable income. But there's an alternative: you can direct that distribution straight to the Kernersville Foundation as a Qualified Charitable Distribution. Because the funds go directly to the Foundation rather than to you, they don't count as taxable income. Donors aged 70½ or older can also make voluntary QCDs from an IRA at any time, reducing tax liability regardless of whether an RMD is required. Simply ask your investment advisor to send a check directly to the Kernersville Foundation, and designate which organizations you'd like to support.
Company Matching Gifts: Many employers match their employees' charitable contributions, sometimes dollar for dollar. Check with your HR department to find out if your company participates, and we'll work with any matching gift program to make it seamless.
Will or Trust: You can name the Kernersville Foundation as a beneficiary in your will or trust. Please contact us before finalizing the language so we can ensure your gift is structured to achieve your exact intentions.
Life Insurance & Non-Cash Gifts: The Foundation accepts gifts of life insurance policies as well as certain tangible personal property, such as jewelry. Please contact us to discuss the details of any non-cash gift before making arrangements.
Real Estate: Donors occasionally make a gift of real property to the Foundation – whether land, a home, or other real estate – and receive a tax benefit in return. Real estate gifts can be an impactful way to support the Kernersville community while addressing your own estate or financial planning goals. Please contact us directly to learn about our policies and processes before proceeding.