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Endow Iowa

We are privileged to live in a generous community with citizens who make investments in the quality of life we enjoy today through charitable giving. To continue this proud tradition of giving, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is privileged to offer the Endow Iowa Tax Credit, a 25% state tax credit on qualified gifts.

The Waukee Community Schools Foundation holds an Endow Iowa fund, which serves as our permanent investment in the schools, educators, and students within the Waukee Community School District.

Endow Iowa Qualified Gifts Must Be Made:

  • Through a qualified community foundation. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is a qualified community foundation!
  • To a permanent endowment fund with a limited annual distribution of 5%. The Waukee Community Schools Foundation hosts its permanent endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines!
  • For the benefit of Iowa charitable causes. The Waukee Community Schools Foundation is making a difference in Waukee Community Schools and the communities of Waukee, West Des Moines, Urbandale, and Clive!

The Foundation is grateful to the Nathan Koch Memorial Fund, which was created by Nathan’s friends and family and in partnership with Marco’s Pizza, for providing the seed money for the endowment.

How it Works:

  • A variety of gifts qualify for Endow Iowa Tax Credits including cash, real estate, farmland, appreciated securities and outright gifts of retirement assets.
  • Tax credits of 25% of the gifted amount are limited to $100,000 per taxpayer and $200,000 per couple if both are Iowa taxpayers. No minimum gift amount is required to qualify for Endow Iowa Tax Credits.
  • Endow Iowa Tax Credits are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the yearly appropriated limit is reached. If the current year’s tax credits have been exhausted, qualified donors are eligible for the next year’s Endow Iowa Tax Credits.
  • All qualified donors have five years to use their Endow Iowa Tax Credits.
  • Qualified donors include individuals, businesses, trusts and estates.
  • Consult your tax advisor regarding the federal deductibility of Endow Iowa qualified contributions.

Endow Iowa Tax Credit Illustration*

* For ease of illustration, the examples do not factor in the federal/state net tax effect. Examples assume the donor is in the 37% tax bracket and plans to claim a charitable deduction on their federal tax return.

To Contribute

To make a contribution using a credit card, debit card or online check, use the link below to visit our Endow Iowa giving page.

Waukee Community Schools Foundation Endow Iowa Fund Giving Page

To make a contribution via check, checks must be made out to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines with “Waukee Community Schools Foundation” on the memo line.

To make a non-cash gift, contact us using the form below to discuss qualifying non-cash gifts.

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines will record your gift and send you a charitable gift letter. They will enclose an Endow Iowa Tax Credit Application. Complete the application and return to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines will submit the application to the State of Iowa and your tax credit documents will be issued by the state.

Gifts to our Endow Iowa legacy fund are accepted year-round. If you’re aiming to finalize a gift by December 31, please keep in mind that gifts such as stock, real estate, and tangible personal property require advanced planning.

What is the IRA Charitable Rollover?

As you consider ways to continue your charitable support, especially if you’re considering giving to our Endow Iowa fund, the IRA charitable rollover is a giving opportunity worth knowing about. The IRA charitable rollover provides donors 70 ½ and older a unique opportunity to make taxwise gifts to the causes they care about.

  • Donors 70 ½ and older can transfer up to $100,000 of IRA assets to public charities without being subject to income taxes on the distribution.
  • You can use your IRA distribution to invest in the Waukee Community Schools Foundation’s Endow Iowa fund.
  • In partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, we are eager to work with you to discuss how your generous gift may be eligible for Endow Iowa Tax Credits, while taking advantage of the IRA charitable rollover giving opportunity.

Contact us using the form below to begin the process of meeting your financial and charitable goals.