If you’re 70½ or older, an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution is one of the most tax-smart ways to support UC Berkeley. Your gift transfers directly from your IRA to Berkeley, tax-free, and can count toward your required minimum distribution.
A tax-smart way to give in retirement
A QCD allows you to give directly from your traditional IRA to UC Berkeley without recognizing the distribution as taxable income. That’s a meaningful advantage, especially if you don’t itemize your deductions or if your required minimum distribution would otherwise push you into a higher tax bracket. Your gift goes to work immediately at Berkeley, supporting the schools, programs, and causes you care about most.
Reasons to consider a QCD
- Reduce your taxable income. A QCD is excluded from your adjusted gross income, which can lower your overall tax liability.
- Satisfy your required minimum distribution. If you’re subject to RMDs, a QCD can count toward that annual requirement.
- Give without itemizing. You receive the tax benefit of a QCD whether or not you itemize deductions on your tax return.
- Make an immediate impact. Unlike many planned gifts, a QCD goes to work at Berkeley right away.
- Fund a charitable gift annuity. A one-time QCD election can be used to establish a charitable gift annuity, providing income for life in addition to supporting Berkeley.
Do You Have Questions?
How to make a QCD
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1
Contact your IRA administrator
Request a Qualified Charitable Distribution payable to the University of California, Berkeley Foundation (Tax ID: 94-6090626).
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2
Specify the purpose
Tell your administrator, and our team, which Berkeley fund or program your gift should support.
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3
Notify our team
QCD checks often arrive without donor information, so a quick note ensures we credit your gift correctly and recognize your generosity.