Donate Real Estate

Is It Time For You to Consider a Gift of Real Estate?

Making a gift of real estate is an excellent way to gain considerable tax advantages while providing for the future of Braille Institute.

Your gift of real estate may be given during your lifetime or as a bequest.  Perhaps the most common and easiest way to give real estate to Braille Institute is through a bequest in your will or trust.  This method allows you to leave a substantial legacy even if you can’t make a large gift during your lifetime.

Another way to donate is through a simple current gift.  You may transfer title to Braille Institute now and take the full appraised value of the property as a tax deduction, eliminating brokerage fees and, of course, capital gains taxes.

There are also gift options that help you diversify your assets and establish an income stream that will last for your lifetime.  These include gifting property to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity or a Charitable Remainder Trust.

Through the years, Braille Institute has been the beneficiary of first homes, vacation homes, condos, second homes, small apartment buildings, commercial buildings and vacant land.

Some Potential Benefits of Donating Real Estate

• You can attain a level of giving you never thought possible—and immediately benefit blind and visually impaired people.
• You can diversify your assets and establish an income stream for your lifetime.
• You may retain the right to the continued use of the property for the rest of your life.
• You will receive the maximum tax deduction allowed by law.
• You can avoid capital gains tax on highly appreciated properties.
• You can avoid the expense and inconvenience of marketing the property.
• You can eliminate your legal and tax liabilities on the property you donate.

Braille Institute provides exceptional expertise and experience in gifts of real estate.  Because of tax and other implications, we recommend that you consult with an accountant or attorney when considering any type of real estate donation.

For more information or to receive a free copy of our booklet, Planning Opportunities with Real Estate, please contact our Office of Development & Planned Giving.

View or download a copy of Braille Institute’s planned giving newsletter. 

The term “planned giving” refers to charitable gifts that require some planning before they are made.  Planned gifts are popular because they can provide valuable tax benefits and/or income for life.  Real Estate is an excellent asset to use for making a planned gift.  Please visit our special Braille Institute Planned Giving Web site to learn about the many other types of planned gifts that benefit both you and Braille Institute.

The information discussed here is not intended as legal or tax advice.  A prospective donor should seek the advice of a qualified estate and/or tax professional to determine the consequences of his or her gift.

Office of Development & Planned Giving
Braille Institute of America, Inc.
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90029
Phone: 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553), Ext. 1256
FAX: (323) 663-1428
E-mail: plangift@brailleinstitute.org
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PST), Monday through Friday

Related links:

Charitable Gift Annuities – A Charitable Gift Annuity will pay you lifetime income in return for a donation to Braille Institute.

A Bequest for Braille Institute – Leaving a bequest through your will or trust is easy.

What to Give – Planning a gift carefully can be as important to you as the gift is to us.  This section summarizes the many ways available for you to make a gift to Braille Institute.