Make a Tax-Free Gift Through Your IRA
Are you 70½ or older? You can make a powerful impact through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) — a special way to give directly and tax-free from your traditional IRA or ROTH IRA to the Westerly Land Trust.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution
- May count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)– instead of taking your RMD, paying income tax on it, and then donating the after-tax amount, you can instruct your IRA custodian to send the funds directly to the Westerly Land Trust.
- May reduce your taxable income– this direct transfer counts towards your RMD for the year, but isn’t included in your taxable income, which lowers your adjusted gross income.
- Allows you to see the impact of your giving today
Utilizing a QCD is a simple, smart way to support the causes you care about.
How it works:
You direct distributions in the amount of your choice up to an annual limit set by the IRS from your IRA made payable to the Westerly Land Trust. Please note that the most an individual can donate in a calendar year, across all charities is $108,000 (2025). It is best practice to consult a financial professional for the most up to date rules regarding QCDs.
Many IRA custodians make this a quick and simple process that you can do in minutes on their website through just a few button clicks.
Some might require a bit more information. If need be, contact your IRA custodian and ask them to send the check for a “qualified charitable distribution” to the Westerly Land Trust at the following address:
The Westerly Land Trust
P.O. Box 601
Westerly, RI 02891
Employer Identification Number (EIN)/Federal Tax ID Number: 22-2864907
Here’s a sample request letter from Plan Owner to Administrator for a Charitable Distribution from an IRA.
Please request that your IRA custodian reference your name and address if possible.
With any questions, contact Director of Development Erika Lebling at elebling@westerlylandtrust.org or 401-315-2610 ext 2.