Outright Gifts

The most common way of giving to UCSF is through an outright gift of cash, securities or personal property. Outright gifts offer the distinct advantage of being immediately available to assist UCSF in its programs. Click here for an example of how they work .

There are three basic types of outright gifts:

Cash
Cash gifts are usually made by way of a check made payable to the UCSF Foundation, but can also be made by means of a wire transfer. Every dollar given outright to support UCSF is tax deductible.

Whether you make an outright gift of cash all at one time or in a series of pledge payments, you will be able to claim an income tax deduction for the amount of each payment in the year in which it is made. For gifts of cash, the maximum deduction you can take in any one year is limited to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. You can carry forward any unused portion of your deduction over the next five years, subject to the same 50 percent limitation.

Appreciated Property
Outright gifts of appreciated property such as securities and real property held long-term (i.e., for more than 12 months) enable you to take a full fair market value deduction without incurring capital gains tax in the process. Your deduction will be limited to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. If the amount of your deduction exceeds this limitation, you can carry forward the unused portion over the next five years.

If your gift is of real property, it is generally preferable that the property be unencumbered. Encumbered property can pose practical problems for the UCSF Foundation and may result in adverse tax consequences for you as the donor. Learn more about giving appreciated securities by visiting our Appreciated Securities page.

Personal Property
Whether you are a collector or an artist, you can make a gift of tangible personal property such as art, jewelry or furnishings and receive an income tax deduction. If you created the work, however, your deduction will be limited to your cost basis. This is true even though the University intends to put the work on permanent display. Even if you are not the creator of the work, your deduction will also be limited to your cost basis in the event UCSF plans to sell the donated piece.

To obtain a full fair market value deduction, as determined by a qualified appraisal, you must not be the creator of the work and UCSF must plan to use the work (e.g., put it on display as part of its permanent collection).

To Learn More
Read more about this and other types of gifts in Leaving a Legacy: A Guide to Gift Planning. Ask for a copy of this brochure by using the form on the Request More Information page.

Download the Comparison Chart of Giving Plans