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The Two Decisions of Giving


The Purpose

Charitable giving can take many forms. It is a very personal matter, and the satisfaction you derive comes from knowing that your gift will benefit skaters of all levels and U.S. Figure Skating programs that you care about. Your gift should fulfill your own goals as well as those of U.S. Figure Skating.

There are a variety of ways to support U.S. Figure Skating:

Unrestricted Gift: The broadest and most useful gift is an unrestricted gift to U.S. Figure Skating. This means that U.S. Figure Skating's executive director will decide how your gift would best be used to support the organization. To make this kind of gift, you need only write the word "unrestricted" on the memo line of your check or type "unrestricted" in the online form used for making your gift.

Restricted Gift: You may restrict your gift in several ways. To place a restriction on your gift, indicate the restriction on the memo line of your gift check or in the online form used for making your gift if you do not see your preference listed below. Your gift will be placed into a fund that matches the restriction you have indicated. Below are some of the more popular ways in which gifts may be restricted.
    1. To support a specific program (e.g. "Basic Skills" or "Elite Athletes")
    2. To support a specific use (e.g. "to provide athlete scholarships" or "to help with travel expenses of the World Team")
    3. To support an existing fund. U.S. Figure Skating manages existing funds, which have been established to benefit specific areas of the organization. Your gift will be added to your designated purpose. To find out if there is a fund already established, please contact the Development Department and someone will tell you which existing funds fit the purpose or area you wish to benefit from your gift. (e.g. collegiate skaters, the Mozer Matching Gift Fund)
    4. To establish a new fund. If you wish to have your name or someone else's name on a fund (e.g. the Joyce Komperda Athlete Support Fund) or establish a fund for a very specific purpose (e.g. to provide travel assistance for synchronized skating teams) for which U.S. Figure Skating does not already maintain a fund, you may establish a new fund at U.S. Figure Skating. The director of development will be happy to help you establish the criteria and application for your fund. Contact Stacey Marsh at 719.228.3424 or smarsh@usfigureskating.org.

When deciding on the restrictions for a new fund, you may find the following options helpful:

Restricted
If you do not have plans to endow a fund within three years, the fund will be considered restricted with an annual distribution for the defined purpose until there is no funding left to distribute from the fund. Donors may make annual gifts to the restricted fund for distribution or to increase the principal of the fund over time. A minimum of $10,000 is required to establish a restricted fund and may come from one donor or several.

Endowments
Endowments for any purpose - restricted or unrestricted - may be created with a minimum gift of $25,000. An endowment may be established to support a particular skating discipline, to provide an annual cash award for placement in a competition, as a scholarship or for any other defined use at U.S. Figure Skating. An annual gift would be required if you want distributions made immediately while the fund generates earnings toward future distributions.

Scholarships or Awards
This requires a $500 minimum award per athlete or an endowment gift of $25,000 minimum.

Named Program Fund
Named funds may be established within individual programs (e.g. Hauff & Dreeland Fund for Basic Skills and Community Development). A minimum endowment of $25,000 is required and funded with one gift or endowed within three years with multiple gifts. An annual gift would be required if the intent is to begin making distributions the first year while the fund generates earnings toward future distributions.


The Form

The second decision that comes with every gift is what form (or mechanism for making the gift) your gift will take. Below are the most popular options.

Cash
A simple donation of cash, which includes checks and credit card payments. These types of gifts may be made online, in person or through the mail.

Stock
A gift of shares of common stock that you own. The stock will be sold by U.S. Figure Skating and the net proceeds used for the purpose you have specified for your gift.

Bequest
A simple bequest in which you write a will that passes a portion of your estate to U.S Figure Skating upon your death to be placed into the fund(s) you have created.

Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust in which you provide a gift of cash, stock or real property to U.S. Figure Skating. The money or proceeds from the sale of your gift would be invested by U.S. Figure Skating, and a certain percentage would be sent to you each year as an annuity payment. The payments would continue until you and your spouse, if desired, pass away, at which point the amount remaining in the trust would be used for the purpose you have specified for your gift.

Revocable Living Trust
A revocable living trust in which you establish a trust that will benefit U.S. Figure Skating. You place a portion of your assets into that trust. Upon your death, the assets in the trust would pass to U.S. Figure Skating and be used for the purpose you have specified or placed into the fund(s) you have identified.

Life Estate Agreement
A life estate agreement in which you donate your home to the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation that, in turn, grants you the right to live in the home until you die. Upon your death, the home is sold by U.S. Figure Skating, and the proceeds would be used for the purpose you have specified or placed into the fund(s) you have identified.

Life Insurance
A life insurance policy in which you would buy a policy and donate it to U.S. Figure Skating. U.S. Figure Skating would hold the policy until your death, at which point it would be cashed in and the proceeds would be used for the purpose you have specified or placed into the fund(s) you have identified. Alternatively, you could name U.S. Figure Skating as the beneficiary of an existing policy. Upon your death, the same thing would occur.

Real Estate or Tangible Personal Property
A donation of real estate or other tangible gift, such as silverware, art, etc. Once in the hands of U.S. Figure Skating, such a gift would be sold, and the proceeds would be used for the purpose you have specified or placed into the fund(s) you have identified.

*Other mechanisms exist, but these are the most popular. Please consult a tax professional to explore which method may give you greater tax benefits. For resources related to estate planning and gift calculators, visit our Planned Giving page.

**For our tax ID number, please contact the Development Department at 719.228.3424 or smarsh@usfigureskating.org.