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Colorado Neurological Institute (CNI)
701 East Hampden Ave.
Suite 330
Englewood, CO 80113
(303) 788-4010
(303) 788-5469 fax
NPyle@TheCNI.org

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More Ways to Contribute to CNI > Planned Giving

Planning a Gift for Now or In The Future

There are many ways to make a gift to CNI.

Possible Gift Plans

A.  Cash  (Learn more)
All gifts of cash from individuals are acceptable. All corporate and business gifts of cash are acceptable. Checks shall be made payable to “Colorado Neurological Institute.”  Donors may establish a pledge to Colorado Neurological Institute.  

B.  Stock (Learn more)
If you own stock that has appreciated in value and you would like to help CNI, consider contributing the stock to us.  There are many benefits.  You pay no capital gains on the appreciation.  You’ll also receive a tax deduction.  You will know you’re making a difference in the lives of others through patient care, research, and education. 

C. Tangible Personal Property (Learn more)

Colorado Neurological Institute may accept gifts of tangible personal property. These gifts include, but are not limited to, medical devices and equipment, gifts of art, antiques, and other collectibles and property gifts that have appreciated in value. Colorado Neurological Institute may also accept vehicle donations.

Criteria for acceptance of the gift shall include:

  • If the property will be used by the organization, the cost of insurance, transportation, maintenance, and other expenses shall be identified.
  • If the property will be sold, the market for sale shall be determined, together with the costs of holding and delivering the property for sale.
  • If restrictions are placed on the use, display, or sale of the property, the Board of Directors will determine if the restrictions are reasonable.

The Board of Directors shall make the final determination of acceptance of tangible personal property gift where necessary.

D.  Memorial/Tribute/ Honorarium Gifts  
Named memorial, tribute and honorarium funds may be established in any amount with Colorado Neurological Institute.  Funds may be named in memory or tribute to an individual, family or business. The Board of Directors may establish minimum amounts and establish recognition guidelines for named funds.

E.  Planned Gifts   
The following are the types of planned gifts a donor may establish with Colorado Neurological Institute and how Colorado Neurological Institute may accept them. Click on any link below to learn more about that type of planned gift.

  1. Bequests
  2. Marketable Securities 
  3. Closely Held Securities  
  4. Real Estate 
  5. Retained Life Estates/Partial Interests and Remainder Interests 
  6. Oil, Gas, Mineral and Water Interests
  7. Bargain Sales 
  8. Life Insurance 
  9. Intellectual Property
  10. Charitable Gift Annuities 
  11. Charitable Remainder Trusts 
  12. Charitable Lead Trusts 
  13. Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designations 
  14. Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations  
  15. Other Miscellaneous Gifts  

Cash Gifts

If you want to make a gift today and maximize your charitable deduction, you can certainly consider a cash gift. Cash is the simplest donation and provides immediate benefits. Your gift can be made outright or fund many of our planned gifts that provide income such as annuities, etc.  Gifts of cash include currency, personal checks, money orders, credit cards and wire transfers.

Are there benefits to using cash to fund a charitable gift?

Yes. First, you are entitled to a charitable income tax deduction. Second, this deduction counts against a larger portion of your taxable income than with a gift of appreciated assets. Here’s why: The IRS allows you to claim charitable deductions for gifts of cash up to 50% of your adjusted gross income but only up to 30% for gifts of appreciated assets.

What if I like the security of having cash on hand?

Your gift can be used to fund a planned gift that provides income for life.  These are charitable gifts in which you receive an income in return for a gift, either for your lifetime or a term of years.  (link to annuities, charitable remainder trusts, etc.)

Gifts of Tangible Personal Property

How it works

Do you have antiques, a valuable painting, collectibles or other personal property you’d like to use as a donation?  You can transfer these to the Colorado Neurological Institute.

CNI may elect to hang on to the property and display it or use it as a way to further our mission.  Or, CNI can elect to sell the property at some point in the future and use the proceeds directly for our programs.

Benefits

  • You receive gift credit and an immediate income tax deduction for the appraised value of your gift and pay no capital gains tax, provided your gift satisfies the "related use" requirements of the IRS.
  • In certain cases, you can use personal property to fund a life-income gift, such as a FLIP Unitrust, that benefits CNI and provides you with income now.
  • You can have the satisfaction of making a significant gift to the Colorado Neurological Institute without adversely affecting your cash flow.

Planned Gifts

1.  Bequests using a Will/Trust:  Bequests are one of the most popular ways to make a planned gift.  A donor may make a revocable bequest to Colorado Neurological Institute under a will and/or trust. 

It’s very simple to do. 

  • You provide for the future by including a bequest provision in your will or a revocable trust.
  • Your will or trust directs the assets to your family heirs
  • Your will also directs funds as a bequest to help CNI for the specific purpose you want

2. Marketable Securities: Colorado Neurological Institute may accept publicly traded securities. Marketable securities will be transferred to an account maintained at one or more brokerage firms or will be delivered physically with the transferor's signature or stock power attached. Marketable securities shall be sold upon receipt unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors. (See Appendix G in the Planned Giving and Endowment Policies.)

In some cases applicable securities laws may restrict marketable securities; in such instance the Board of Directors shall make the final determination on the acceptance of the restricted securities.

The benefits to this type of gift include,

  • You receive credit for the gift and an immediate income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer…no matter what you originally paid for them.
  • You pay no capital gains tax on the securities you donate.
  • You have the option of directing your gift to a specific fund or program.
  • This type of gift enables one to make a significant gift now or have the donation help fund a planned gift that benefits CNI later.

Closely Held Securities, including debt and equity positions in non-publicly traded companies and interests in LLPs, LLCs, or other ownership forms may be accepted subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of CNI.  (See CNI’s Policies and Procedures (link) for additional information.)

3. Closely Held Securities: Closely held securities, including debt and equity positions in non-publicly traded companies and interests in LLPs, LLCs or other ownership forms, may be accepted subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Non-publicly traded securities and other properties shall be liquidated at the earliest possible time. The donor shall be responsible for obtaining and paying for a qualified appraisal. 

Criteria for acceptance of the gift shall include:

  • The security shall be reviewed for restrictions that prevent or hinder a timely sale of the asset.
  • If the security will be sold, the market for sale shall be determined, together with the costs of holding and delivering the property for sale.
  • The form of the security shall be reviewed to determine if the asset will generate unrelated business income to Colorado Neurological Institute.  

If potential problems arise on initial review of the security, further review and recommendation by legal counsel or an outside professional may be sought.

The Board of Directors shall make the final determination on the acceptance of closely held securities. Every effort will be made to sell such securities as quickly as possible.

4. Real Estate: Gifts of real estate may include developed property, undeveloped property, or gifts subject to a prior life interest or remainder interest. The donor shall be responsible for obtaining and paying for a qualified appraisal and a title policy.  

Criteria for acceptance of the gift shall include:

  • If the property will be used by Colorado Neurological Institute in operations or programs.
  • If Colorado Neurological Institute will use the property, the cost of insurance, transportation, maintenance, and other expenses shall be identified.
  • If the property will be sold, the market for sale shall be determined, together with the costs of holding and delivering the property for sale.
  • If restrictions are placed on the use, display, or sale of the property, the Board of Directors shall determine if those are reasonable.
  • Restrictions, reservations, easements, or other limitations associated with the property shall be identified.
  • Carrying costs, including property taxes, mortgages, or notes, etc., associated with the property shall be identified.
  • Prior to acceptance of real estate, the Board of Directors shall determine if the donor should provide Colorado Neurological Institute with the appropriate level environmental audit report. If an audit is requested, Colorado Neurological Institute must approve the firm conducting the audit. The donor shall be responsible for obtaining and paying for the audit. (See Appendix H-1, H-2, and Appendix I)

What is a gift of real estate?

If the property is a long-term asset (held for over one year), you receive a charitable income tax deduction based on the appraised value. You may apply the deduction for up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income and carry it forward for up to five additional years. Furthermore, you are freed from paying real estate taxes, maintenance costs, insurance, and capital gains taxes on the property’s appreciation. You also avoid capital gains taxes on the transfer and remove the asset from your taxable estate.

What if I’m still using my real estate?

You can irrevocably deed a residence (such as your home, cabin, or farm) to us but reserve the right to use it during your lifetime. This arrangement creates an immediate income tax deduction and a federal estate tax deduction.  To read more about retained life estates click here (link).

What if I need income?

Your real estate gift can generate income for you by funding a life income gift, such as a charitable remainder unitrust.  For more information about unitrusts click here (link).

Another option is a bargain sale. In this case, we consider purchasing property from you for a price lower than its appraised value. We receive the property, and you receive cash plus a tax deduction.   For more information about bargain sales click here (link).

What we need from you.

We will gratefully review your gift possibility and evaluate the condition and marketability of the property.

  • You will need to obtain a philanthropy title report and an independent appraisal.
  • Our advisors will inspect the property and complete an environmental checklist. We may need to conduct a phase one environmental study in some cases.
  • The IRS requires an independent appraisal to establish the fair market value of the property. We can assist you in following the IRS procedures.

5. Retained Life Estates/Partial Interests/Remainder Interests: Colorado Neurological Institute may accept a partial interest or remainder interest in a personal residence, farm, or vacation home subject to the above provisions regarding real property gifts.  The donor shall be responsible for obtaining and paying for a qualified appraisal.

The donor or other occupants may continue to occupy the real property for the duration of the stated life or a term of years. At the death of the donor, Colorado Neurological Institute may use the property or sell the property, converting it into cash.

When Colorado Neurological Institute agrees to accept a remainder interest, the donor or primary beneficiary shall pay all costs and expenses for maintenance, real estate taxes, and any other property expenses or indebtedness.  

Benefits to this type of gift can be:

  • You receive a credit and an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of the appraised value of your property
  • You can end your life estate at any time and take an additional income tax deduction
  • And, you will know you’ve made a wonderful gift that benefits CNI later.

6. Oil, Gas, Mineral, and Water Interests: Colorado Neurological Institute may accept oil, gas, mineral, and water interests. Prior to acceptance of an interest, the Board of Directors shall approve the gift.

Criteria for acceptance of the gift shall include:

The organization shall take into consideration the surface rights connected with the interest and the amount of income that will be generated each year in royalties to determine if the interests, rights and royalties have a reasonable value for the organization.

  • The property should not have extended liabilities or other considerations that make receipt of the gift inappropriate
  • Colorado Neurological Institute may require a current environmental audit indicating that the property is environmentally sound.

7. Bargain Sales: A bargain sale is a part sale and part gift arrangement where the sale of the property to Colorado Neurological Institute is for an amount less than the property’s current market value. The excess of the value over the sales price represents a charitable contribution. Colorado Neurological Institute may enter into a real estate bargain sale arrangement in instances in which the bargain sale furthers the mission and purposes of the organization. The Board of Directors must approve all bargain sales.

Criteria for acceptance of the gift shall include:

  • Donor shall obtain an independent qualified appraisal substantiating the value of the property.
  • The organization may not assume debt with the property.
  • The organization must determine that it will use the property, or that there is a market for sale of the property.
  • The cost and expense of safeguarding, insuring, and holding the property prior to sale (including property tax, if applicable) must be determined.

       Benefits of this gift can be

  • You receive an immediate income tax deduction for the appraised market value of the portion of the property you donated.
  • You pay no capital gains tax on the donated portion of the property.
  • You can receive cash from the sale portion to retire a mortgage or for other purposes.
  • You can have the satisfaction of making a significant gift to CNI during your lifetime.

8.  Life Insurance: A donor may establish a new life insurance policy or commercial annuity policy with Colorado Neurological Institute as the applicant, owner and beneficiary.  In order to be recorded as gift, Colorado Neurological Institute must be named as both beneficiary and irrevocable owner of an insurance policy. The gift is valued at its interpolated terminal reserve value, or cash surrender value, upon receipt. A donor may also irrevocably assign an existing policy with premiums still due or a paid-up policy to Colorado Neurological Institute.   

When a donor contributes future premium payments, Colorado Neurological Institutewill recognize the payment as a gift in the year it is made. If a donor elects to discontinue future premium payments, Colorado Neurological Institute may:

  • Continue to pay the premiums
  • Convert the policy to paid-up insurance
  • Use the cash value of the policy to keep the policy in force
  • Surrender the policy for its current cash value

9.  Intellectual Property: Colorado Neurological Institute may accept intellectual property rights, which include royalties, patents, copyrights, contract rights or other similar interests. Prior to acceptance of an intellectual property right, the Board of Directors shall approve the gift.

Criteria for acceptance of the gift shall include:

  • Ownership of intellectual property right must be transferable to Colorado Neurological Institute.
  • If Colorado Neurological Institute will use the property, the cost of insurance, transportation, maintenance, and other expenses shall be identified.
  • If the property will be sold, the market for sale or licensing of the intellectual property rights shall be determined.
  • Determination of the costs associated with the acceptance of the intellectual property right.
  • Determination of restrictions on the use or retention of the property.

10.  Charitable Gift Annuities:  Colorado Neurological Institute may offer charitable gift annuities to donors. The minimum gift for funding an immediate charitable gift annuity or deferred gift annuity shall be $25,000. The minimum gift amount for funding a gift annuity shall be subject to revision by the Board of Directors where necessary.

The minimum age for life income beneficiaries of an immediate charitable gift annuity shall be 70 years old. The minimum age for life income beneficiaries of a deferred gift annuity shall be 70 years old. No more than two life income beneficiaries will be permitted for any gift annuity. Annuity payments shall be made twice a year.

Colorado Neurological Institute will not accept real estate, tangible personal property, or any other illiquid asset in exchange for immediate charitable gift annuities.

Colorado Neurological Institute may accept real estate, tangible personal property, or other illiquid assets in exchange for deferred charitable gift annuities on a case-by-case basis.

Funds contributed in exchange for a charitable gift annuity shall be set aside and invested during the term of the annuity payments. Once the annuity payments are terminated, the funds representing the remaining principal contributed in exchange for the gift annuity shall be transferred to Colorado Neurological Institute and designated in accordance with the policies. (See Appendix J)

How a Gift Annuity Works

  • You transfer cash or securities to Colorado Neurological Institute
  • CNI will pay you a fixed income for life
  • The principal will be directed to CNI when the contract/agreement ends

Benefits to a Gift Annuity can be,

  • You receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your gift
  • Your annuity payments are guaranteed for life and are backed by a fund and the assets of CNI.
  • You will know that you’re making a significant gift that helps you and will make a difference for CNI later.

11. Charitable Remainder Trusts:  A charitable remainder trust is a trust established by a donor to provide payments to the donor and/or other named beneficiaries either for life or a term of years, not exceeding twenty years, with the remaining assets distributed to one or more charities.

Colorado Neurological Institute may accept designation as remainder beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust, but will not accept appointment as Trustee of a charitable remainder trust.

12. Charitable Lead Trusts: A charitable lead trust is a trust in which the income, or “lead” interest is paid to Colorado Neurological Institute, and the remainder interest is given to one or more non-charitable beneficiaries such as the donor or family members.

Colorado Neurological Institute may accept designation as income beneficiary of a charitable lead trust. Colorado Neurological Institute may not accept appointment as Trustee of a charitable lead trust.

How a Charitable Lead Trust works:

  • You contribute cash, securities, or other property to a trust.
  • The trust makes fixed annual payment to CNI for a predetermined period of years
  • When the trust ends, the remaining amount can be directed to your heirs.

The benefits of a Charitable Lead Trust can be

  • You will qualify for a gift tax deduction for the present value of the annuity payments to CNI .
  • The annuity payments and the term of the trust can be specified in such a way so as to reduce or even eliminate the transfer taxes due when the principal reverts to your heirs.
  • All appreciation that occurs in the trust goes tax-free to your heirs.
  • You can use your available estate tax credit to further reduce taxes on transfers to your heirs.
  • You’ll be making a tremendous gift to CNI now that reduces the taxes due on transfers to your heirs later.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

This type of gift is slightly different from a Charitable Lead Trust

  • You transfer cash, securities, or other property into a trust
  • The trust makes fixed payments to your or anyone you identify on an annual basis
  • At the end of the trust (predetermined), the principal goes to Colorado Neurological Institute

Charitable Remainder Unitrust

This is one addition type of gift to consider. 

  • You transfer cash, securities, or other property into a trust
  • The trust then pays a percentage of the market value annually to you or anyone you identify.  (The asset(s) value are evaluated on an annual basis.)
  • When the trust concludes, the principal goes to Colorado Neurological Institute.

If you have questions about Trusts, please contact CNI directly.

13.  Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designations:  A donor may name Colorado Neurological Institute as a revocable beneficiary of a retirement plan.   If you have questions about this designation opportunity, please contact CNI.

14.  Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations: A donor may name Colorado Neurological Institute as a primary or secondary beneficiary, or contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

15.  Other Miscellaneous Gifts: The Board of Directors reserves the right to review all other miscellaneous gifts. The Board will make a written report regarding the acceptance or rejection of such miscellaneous gifts where appropriate.
 
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