Merrimack County Annual Celebration

Request a Custom Team Project

Submit a request for a group volunteer project tailored to your interests, location and schedule.

JOIN AN AFFINTY GROUP

Granite United Way invites you to join one of our giving societies to connect with like-minded individuals and donate in ways that that drive meaningful change.

Granite United Way offers a “Step-Up” program to join our affinity groups by investing at a more gradual pace. You can make a commitment now to incrementally increase your annual gifts to Granite United Way over a few years and be recognized as part of these giving societies at the full giving level from year one.

JOIN THE LEADERSHIP GIVING SOCIETY

Granite United Way’s Leadership Giving Society is comprised of individuals who are widely regarded as the most caring, generous, and passionate community-minded investors.

How to Join: Give an annual individual gift of $1,000 or more to Granite United Way.

Benefits to Joining:

• Access to special events that allow you to network with some of our community’s top leaders and philanthropists
• Tours of program sites to see first-hand Granite United Way’s impact in our community
• Participate in special volunteer opportunities

JOIN THE ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY

Granite United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society is comprised of top leaders whose philanthropy reflects a deep and sincere commitment to the community.

How to Join: Give a minimum of $10,000 annually to Granite United Way with at least $5,000 designated to United Way or to one of our impact pillars (Affordable Housing, Family Support and Youth Opportunity, Financial Empowerment and Healthy Communities).

Benefits to Joining:

• All benefits included in the Leadership Giving Society
• Tailored support from our team to align your contribution with the greatest community impact
• no administrative fee on designations to other nonprofits

READY TO JOIN?

Make a gift online today or email us at info@graniteuw.org and let us know what society interests you most.

Donor – Advised Funds (DAFs) are charitable investment accounts that allow you to make gifts to charity during your lifetime, and when you pass away, your children or you can grant all or a portion of the remaining balance to Granite United Way.

Tax benefits: DAFs allow you to establish a flexible vehicle for annual charitable giving and benefit from a more tax and cost efficient alternative to a private foundation. You obtain a charitable income tax deduction in the year of your gift

How it works: Make an initial, irrevocable gift of cash or stock to fund a DAF at a sponsoring organization. The assets in your DAF grow tax-free while you make annual recommendations on gifts to be made from your DAF.

WHAT IS PLANED GIVING?
A Planned Gift is any donation made as part of an individual’s overall financial and/or estate planning. Planned Giving allows you to meet your personal, financial, and philanthropic goals in tax-efficient, estate-friendly ways. Wherever you are in your career and your life, there is a Planned Giving option for you!

WAYS TO MAKE A PLANNED GIFT
There are many ways in which to make a Planned Gift, based on your long-term philanthropic goals and objectives. We encourage you to consult with your financial advisor about what options might be best for you.

WILLS & BEQUESTS
A charitable bequest is an official statement in a will, a trust, or an estate plan, that designates a gift to a specific charity. Bequests are one of the easiest and most flexible ways you can leave a gift to Granite United Way. You can plan for the allocation of your estate while maintaining complete control of your assets in the present, and you can change your mind at any time.

BENEFICIARY DONATIONS
A Beneficiary can be any person or entity you choose to leave money or assets to, after you pass, including nonprofit organizations. Granite United Way can be named as the beneficiary of one of your assets such as IRAs, 401ks and other retirement plans, life insurance policies, or commercial annuities.

You can also decide what percentage you would like the charity to receive as a beneficiary. This means you can divide your retirement plans or insurance policies between family, friends, and charities of your choosing. Designating Granite United Way as the beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy or annuity could also reduce estate taxes.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY
Charitable gift annuities allow you to transfer your cash or appreciated property to a charity in exchange for their promise to pay you a fixed income (with rates based on age) for the rest of your life. At your death, the charity keeps the remaining assets.

HOW TO GET STARTED
Email info@graniteuw.org and let our team know what type of planned giving you are interested in.

Granite United Way does not provide suggested guidance, we encourage you to talk with your financial advisor to best determine the planned giving options that are best for your situation.

DONATE APPRECIATED STOCK

You can transfer stocks you’ve held for over a year directly from a taxable brokerage account to Granite United Way.

Tax Benefit: You avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation and can deduct the stock’s fair market value (if itemizing).

How it works: Email info@graniteuw.org with the following information:

• Your name and address
• The type of stock
• The number of shares
• The approximate value

Work with your tax advisor to transfer the shares to Granite United Way’s brokerage account.

DONATE QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (IRA charitable rollover)

If you are 70½ or older, you can donate cash directly from your IRA tax-free to Granite United Way.

Tax Benefit: The distribution isn’t included in your taxable income, effectively giving you a tax break without needing to itemize deductions.

How it works: Email info@graniteuw.org and let us know that you wish to make an IRA qualified chairtable distribution donation. Our team will provide you with the necessary information to instruct your IRA custodian to make your donation payable to Granite United Way.