Give Back to AFAvH to Sustain the Humboldt Experience

American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AFAvH) relies on the generous support of donors like you to carry out our mission. The Cosmos Circle monthly giving program is a simple and effective way to ensure that we have the ongoing resources we need to make a difference.

When you become a monthly donor, you make a commitment to support American Friends of AvH with a regular, recurring gift. This provides a stable and predictable source of funding that allows us to plan and implement programs that make a real impact on scholarly and scientific exchange.

Your monthly donation, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference. As a member of the Cosmos Circle, you will be helping to build a stronger, more collaborative community of researchers and scholars who are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world.

• $100/month supports alumni-led engagement events
• $50/month supports one Humboldt Dialogue production
• $25/month provides funding for onboarding and information sessions for new US Humboldtians
• $10/month produces one issue of our bi-weekly newsletter, Friends and Forschung

The American Friends of Alexander von Humboldt Legacy Circle recognizes those individuals who have included American Friends in their estate plan through planned gift mechanisms. We welcome your interest in exploring the many benefits and advantages that gift planning may offer. The advantages of planned gifts can include:

• making a larger gift than through an annual outright gift;
• taking care of family considerations while making a significant charitable gift;
• providing income for one or more lifetimes;
• increasing, deferring or providing tax free income;
• eliminating long-term capital gains tax for appreciated assets;
• reducing taxes and costs for a future estate settlement.

One sentence in your will or estate plan can make a lifetime of difference. To leave a gift in your will, simply share this sentence with your attorney or financial planner:

"I hereby bequeath to American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation the sum of $ __________ (or _________% of my estate."

Let us help you plan your gift or let us know of those plans you have already made by downloading a Declaration of Future Intent Form.

If you own an IRA and are age 70 ½ or older, a Charitable IRA Rollover makes it easy to use IRA assets during your lifetime to make charitable gifts. Direct the custodian of your pretax Traditional or Roth IRA (under certain conditions) to transfer up to $100,000 per year to American Friends without counting that distribution as taxable income. To qualify under the law, your IRA administrator must transfer the funds directly to American Friends with you identified as the account owner and donor, and with your name and address on the distribution check or accompanying letter. Distributions made in this way may satisfy all or part of the current year’s distribution. Direct distributions may not be made from a 401K or 403B account, however, a tax- free transfer may be possible to an IRA. Direct distributions cannot be made to a Donor Advised Fund or to fund a Charitable Remainder Trust.

The 2020 IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) has been waived for most donors, and thus an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution will not reduce the RMD as there is no such requirement. Donors may still benefit from making a QCD up to $100,000, or you may instead wish to arrange for a multi-year pledge by making a double gift in 2021. Many donors who make two QCD donations in 2021 rather than one each in 2020 and 2021 may realize a larger tax advantage. Consult with your tax advisor or financial planner on the option that may be best in serving your financial planning and charitable goals. American Friends can assist you in making your multi-year pledge in a way that also assists the institution with cash flow.

Debit, recurring gifts:

We will set up debit or recurring gifts tailored to your wishes.

Multi-year pledge gifts:

We are happy to work with you to set up multi-year pledge gifts in ways that meet your gift intentions and tax advantaged planning.

Multi-year pledge gifts for donors who give through an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD):

The 2020 IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) has been waived for most donors, and thus an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution will not reduce the RMD as there is no such requirement. Donors may still benefit from making a QCD up to $100,000, or you may instead wish to arrange for a multi-year pledge by making a double gift in 2021. Many donors who make two QCD donations in 2021 rather than one each in 2020 and 2021 may realize a larger tax advantage. Consult with your tax advisor or financial planner on the option that may be best in serving your financial planning and charitable goals. American Friends can assist you in making your multi-year pledge in a way that also assists the institution with cash flow.

Many companies will match the value of your charitable gift to the AFAvH if you are an employee, retiree, and sometimes even the spouse of an employee or retiree. For more information contact your employer or jhamilton[at]americanfriendsofavh.org.

Make your gift by mail. Include a note in the memo line if you have special instructions.Please make your check payable to American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
1233 20th Street NW Suite 201
Washington, DC 20036