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Giving That’s Smart and Simple: Qualified
Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
By Jon A. McLaughlin ‘73,
Association Executive Director
If you’re age 70½ or older, there’s a special way you can For the Alumni Association, your gift helps strengthen
support the Houlton High School Alumni Association our Scholarship Endowment Fund, expands
while also lowering your tax bill — it’s called a opportunities through programs such as the
Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD. Emergency Fund and Student Opportunity Fund,
and keeps the legacy of Houlton High School alive for
What Is a QCD? future generations.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution is a direct gift made How To Do It
from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to
a qualified 501(c)(3) charity — like the Houlton High 1. Contact your IRA custodian (such as Fidelity,
School Alumni Association. Instead of withdrawing Vanguard, Edward Jones, etc.) and request a
the money yourself and then donating it, the funds go Qualified Charitable Distribution to:
straight from your IRA custodian to the charity.
Houlton High School Alumni Association
How It Works P.O. Box 990
Houlton, ME 04730
• If you are 70½ or older, you can transfer up to EIN: 04-3357591
$100,000 per year directly from your IRA to one
or more qualified charities. 2. Let them know how much you would like to give
and ensure the check is made payable to the
• If you are age 73 or older, the QCD can count Association.
toward your Required Minimum Distribution
(RMD) — the amount the IRS requires you to 3. Notify us so we can properly acknowledge your
withdraw from your IRA each year. generous gift and ensure it is directed according
to your wishes.
• The amount given through a QCD does not
count as taxable income — which can help A Thoughtful Legacy
keep your taxable income lower, possibly
reducing the amount of Social Security taxed or Many alumni find that using their IRA for charitable
your Medicare premiums. giving allows them to see the impact of their
generosity now — while also providing an easy, lasting
• The gift must go directly from your IRA way to give each year. A QCD can help you continue
custodian to the charity — it cannot first come supporting our mission of assisting students and
to you. honoring Houlton’s proud alumni heritage.
Why It’s a Win–Win If you’d like to learn more or discuss your giving
options, please reach out to the Houlton High School
For alumni, this can be one of the most tax-efficient Alumni Association. We’d be happy to help guide you
ways to give. You satisfy all or part of your RMD, through the process.
avoid increasing your taxable income, and make a
meaningful difference in the lives of Houlton High As with all giving requests, please check with your
School students. financial planners to make sure this program works to
your and your family’s best advantage.
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