Cash
Direct cash contributions provide an immediate benefit and are a simple way to support the important programs of The Family Institute. Cash gifts include those made by check, charge card, electronic transfer or on-line through Network for Good. Such gifts may be made for general operating support or earmarked toward a specific program or project.

Matching Gifts
If you work for a company with a matching gift program, you may be able to double or even triple your contribution at no extra cost to yourself. Contact your company's human resources or community affairs department for information on matching gifts.

Workplace Giving
Many donors support The Family Institute through workplace giving programs, such as United Way and the Combined Federal Campaign. By allowing employees to give through payroll deductions that are spread over several weeks or months, these programs make charitable giving convenient. If you choose to donate through you workplace giving program, please be sure to designate The Family Institute as the beneficiary of your gift.

Other Gifts
The Family Institute also accepts non-cash contributions, such as securities and property, as well as life insurance, bequests and other deferred gifts. Please contact the Director of Development at 847-733-4300 for more information. Members of our staff will be pleased to provide assistance in planning gifts to The Family Institute. We also recommend that you consult with your financial or legal advisor concerning the tax and financial implications of your charitable giving.

• Stocks and Other Securities
  A gift of appreciated securities is always an attractive option because the donor's income tax deduction is based on the full fair market value of the asset with no capital gains tax obligation. This type of gift is especially attractive if the securities have increased significantly in value since you acquired them.
• Property
  Donations of real estate or personal property entitle you to a tax deduction for the full fair market value, regardless of what you actually paid for the asset. (Fair market value is usually determined by an appraisal.) You also have the option of donating only a part of the value of property.
• Life Insurance
  A donor may purchase a life insurance policy in the donor's or someone else's name (with that person's consent) and make The Family Institute the owner and beneficiary of the policy. Upon the death of the insured person, the donor is able to take a charitable tax deduction for the full amount of the premium paid. A donor may also irrevocably assign an existing insurance policy to The Family Institute. In this instance, the cash value at the time of the assignment can be deducted as a charitable gift. If the donor continues to pay premiums, they are also deductible.
• Bequests
  A donor can support the long-term financial stability of The Family Institute by making a provision in his or her will, the most familiar form of deferred gift. More and more frequently the asset chosen to make these gifts is from the donor's IRA or other qualified retirement plan. Because these assets carry a heavy income tax obligation in addition to an estate tax obligation, they are a particularly attractive source for the funding of charitable gifts.
• Other Deferred Gifts
  Besides bequests, there are several other types of deferred gifts that allow a donor to make a contribution while receiving a lifetime stream of income and a charitable tax deduction. These giving vehicles include charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities and charitable lead trusts.