IRA RMD Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
A Tax-Saving Way to Support Corban University
See Your Generosity in Action
If you are 70½ years old or older, you can take advantage of a simple and tax-efficient way to benefit Corban University. By giving directly from your IRA, you can support Corban students while lowering your taxable income and satisfying your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). This gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also hear it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).
Why Consider a QCD in 2025?
- Make an immediate difference. Your gift goes straight to work helping Corban students today.
- Satisfy your RMD. If you are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), your QCD can count toward that amount. (Under current law, most IRA owners begin RMDs at age 73.)
- Reduce taxable income. Using a QCD to satisfy your RMD can reduce adjusted gross income (AGI).
- Generous giving limit. For 2025, you may give up to $108,000 directly from your IRA to qualified charities, tax-free. If your required minimum distribution is less than $108,000, your QCD may exceed your RMD.
Important Details
- You must be at least age 70½ at the time of the distribution to make a QCD.
- The gift must go directly from your IRA to Corban University.
- A special one-time option also exists to direct up to $54,000 from your IRA to certain charitable gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts.
Let’s Talk
A qualified charitable distribution can be a powerful way to advance Corban’s mission and steward your resources wisely.
If you would like more information—or sample language to share with your IRA custodian—please contact our Advancement Office. We’d be delighted to help you make a gift that maximizes both your impact and your tax benefit.
IRA Designation Letter Templates
It is wise to consult with your tax professionals if you are contemplating a charitable gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make an IRA charitable rollover gift to Corban?
Your IRA administrator must make the distribution directly to Corban, or you may write a check payable to Corban from your IRA checkbook.
What do I need to know if I am making a gift from my IRA checkbook at year end?
In order for IRA checks from an IRA checkbook to be counted as a QCD for the current tax year, they must be delivered to and processed by Corban by December 31. This is especially important if you expect your QCD to qualify as part of your required distribution for that calendar year. Unlike checks directly from IRA administrators, it is not enough that the check is postmarked or even hand-delivered by December 31. Any IRA gifts from IRA checkbooks processed after December 31 will be counted as a distribution for the next tax year, and you may incur a tax penalty if you have not met your required minimum distribution for the previous year. Make sure you initiate your charitable IRA rollover gift at least several weeks before the end of the year if you are writing your own checks, especially if you will be relying on them to fulfill your required minimum distributions.
I’ve already named Corban University as the beneficiary of my IRA. What are the benefits if I make a gift now instead of after my lifetime?
By making a gift this year of up to $100,000 from your IRA, you can see your philanthropic dollars at work. You are jump-starting the legacy you would like to leave and giving yourself the joy of watching your philanthropy take shape. Moreover, you can fulfill any outstanding pledge you may have made by transferring that amount from your IRA as long as it is $100,000 or less for the year.
I’m turning age 70½ in a few months. Can I make this gift now?
No. The legislation requires you to reach age 70½ by the date you make the gift.
I have several retirement accounts—some are pensions and some are IRAs. Does it matter which retirement account I use?
Yes. Direct gifts to a qualified charity can be made only from an IRA. Under certain circumstances, however, you may be able to roll assets from a pension, profit sharing, 401(k) or 403(b) plan into an IRA and then make the transfer from the IRA directly to Corban University. To determine if a rollover to an IRA is available for your plan, speak with your plan administrator.
Can my gift be used as my required minimum distribution under the law?
Yes, absolutely. If you reached the age of 70½ on or before Dec. 31, 2019, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution for the year. If you turn 70½ on or after Jan. 1, 2020, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution starting at the age of 72. Contact your IRA custodian to complete the gift. (Note: The RMD requirement has been waived for 2020, per the CARES Act.)
When do I need to make my gift?
We must receive your gift by Dec. 31 for your donation to qualify this year. If you have check-writing privileges on your IRA account, please mail your check by Dec. 18 in order to give us time to process your gift before the end of the year.
Do I need to give my entire IRA to be eligible for the tax benefits?
No. You can give any amount under this provision, as long as it is $100,000 or less per year. If your IRA is valued at more than $100,000, you can transfer a portion of it to fund a charitable gift.
My spouse and I would like to give more than $100,000. How can we do that?
If you have a spouse (as defined by the IRS) who is 70½ or older and has an IRA, he or she can also give up to $100,000 from his or her IRA.
Can a rollover gift be used to fund a charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity?
No. The donor can receive no benefits in return for the gift. This includes life income plan payments.