Ways to Support WQED

There are several ways to support WQED through your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), depending on your age and giving goals. We encourage donors to consult their financial or tax advisors to determine what is most appropriate for their circumstances.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA. Beginning the year you turn 73, QCDs can satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).

QCDs are excluded from your taxable income, subject to IRS rules. Because the distribution is not included in adjusted gross income, a QCD may help reduce your overall income level and, in some cases, limit the portion of Social Security benefits subject to tax or affect income-based Medicare premium calculations.

Key considerations:

• QCDs must be made directly from your IRA custodian to WQED
• Gifts must be unrestricted; you may not receive benefits in return

IRA Distributions

If you are at least 59½ years old, you may take a distribution from your IRA without an early-withdrawal penalty and then make a charitable gift to WQED.

• The IRA distribution is generally treated as taxable income.
• If you itemize deductions, you may be eligible to claim a charitable deduction for your gift, subject to IRS limitations.

IRA Beneficiary Designations

At any age, you may choose to designate WQED Multimedia as the beneficiary of all or a percentage of your IRA. Assets pass to us free of income and estate taxes, making this a simple and tax-efficient way to create a lasting legacy.

To name WQED as a beneficiary:

• Contact your IRA administrator for a change-of-beneficiary form, or
• Download the form directly from your provider’s website

If you notify us of your plans, we would be honored to steward your intentions and ensure your legacy is recorded according to your wishes.

Tools to Help You Get Started

► WQED has partnered with GivingDocs to offer a simple, secure tool that allows you to initiate a variety of gifts—including QCDs and beneficiary designations directly online.

Donating appreciated securities is a tax-efficient way to support WQED. In many cases, donors may avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair-market value of the securities, subject to IRS rules.

To ensure your gift is transferred smoothly and credited correctly, please contact us before initiating a transfer. Securities often arrive without identifying information, and advance notice helps us acknowledge your gift promptly and accurately.

► WQED has partnered with GivingDocs to offer a secure, self-service tool to notify us and retrieve our stock transfer instructions.

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account established at a public charity. Donors may make a contribution to their fund, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to qualified nonprofits over time.

If you have established a Donor-Advised Fund, you may recommend a grant to support WQED’s work at any time. If your grant is intended for a specific purpose or if you have recognition preferences, please let us know so we can honor your intent.

Tools to Help You Get Started

► WQED has partnered with GivingDocs to offer a simple tool that lets you connect with your financial institution and submit a DAF grant online.

Many employers offer matching-gift programs that can double or even triple the impact of your contribution — at no cost to you.

You may be eligible for a matching gift if you are:

• a current employee,
• a retiree, or
• a spouse or domestic partner of an eligible employee.

Check with your employer’s Human Resources department or search your company in our matching-gift database. If your employer requires verification of your donation, we’re happy to assist.

A gift membership is a thoughtful way to share WQED with friends or family while supporting the programs and services you value.

Gift memberships may be used to:

• provide access to WQED+ with PBS Passport,
• celebrate a birthday or holiday, or
• mark a special occasion.

You may choose whether the recipient is notified immediately or at a later date. If you have questions about timing, recognition, or acknowledgements, our team is glad to help.

Honor or remember someone special with a gift made in their name or memory. Tribute gifts are a meaningful way to celebrate a life, milestone, or achievement — while also supporting WQED’s mission.

When you make a tribute gift, we will:

• send a notification to the individual or family you designate, and
• ensure the amount of your gift remains confidential.

Tribute gifts may be made at any time and in any amount.

Planned gifts allow you to support WQED while meeting your personal, financial, and philanthropic goals. Many planned gifts cost nothing today and can have a lasting impact in the future.

Common planned-giving options include:

• bequests through a will or trust, or
• beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance policies.

If you have already included WQED in your plans, we would be honored to know — so we can steward your intentions and thank you appropriately.

Tools to Help You Get Started

Here’s sample language to share with your attorney to make a gift in your will or living trust:

“I hereby give [$x.xx or xx%] to WQED Multimedia, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, incorporated in Pennsylvania with its headquarters at 4802 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.”

► WQED has partnered with GivingDocs to provide a simple, secure way to document beneficiary designations and other planned gifts. This suite of estate planning resources is available at no charge to you.

Donating a vehicle — such as a car, truck, boat, or motorcycle — is a convenient way to support WQED.

• Maybe you don’t want the hassle of selling your vehicle.
• Perhaps repairs are too expensive, or you don’t trust your car to be safe on the road.
• To be eligible, your vehicle must have an engine and be towable.

Our partners at Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS) will pick up your vehicle (if within range) and sell it at auction. You will receive documentation for your tax records.

Tools to Help You Get Started

Visit this website or call 855-700-9733 with this information:

• the year, make, and model of your vehicle;
• the general condition of the vehicle;
• your 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN); and
• your Social Security Number (required by IRS).

Please have your legal title and lien release in hand.

Gifts of real estate can be a powerful way to support WQED, but require careful review and approval by our Board of Directors.

Depending on the property, gifts may include:

• Personal residences,
• Vacation homes,
• Commercial or investment property, and
• Undeveloped land.

All real estate gifts are subject to WQED’s gift-acceptance policies and due diligence. If you are considering a real estate contribution, please contact us in advance so we can discuss feasibility and next steps.

Tools to Help You Get Started

► Visit this webpage for more information and to begin the due diligence process with our third-party administrator.