Funding our organization - what you can do to help

LWV UMRR is funded through annual membership fees ($25 per member League per year), private donations and grants.  In 2026, private donations raised the most money.  Of the $5000 in revenue that funds LWV UMRR, only $1750 came in from memberships.   

​Individual donations are welcome in any amount, and can be made through our "donate" page.   If you need to take Required Minimum Distributions from your retirement accounts, these can be directed to LWV UMRR as Qualified Charitable Donations and avoid any tax consequences - read more about this below.  

Tax Deductible
All donations to the League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. We are a 501(c)(3) organization. Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) can be supplied on request - email us at [email protected].

Qualified Charitable Distributions
If you would like to make a qualified charitable distribution, please have your financial advisor direct your check to
LWV Upper Mississippi River Region c/o Judy Peters, Treasurer
117 West High Road, Norwalk, Iowa  50211
If you have questions, email [email protected] .
 
Some background on Qualified Charitable Distributions
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals aged 70 1/2 or older to make tax-free donations directly from their IRA to a qualified charity, potentially satisfying their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year, up to a limit.   Here's a more detailed explanation:
 
What is a QCD?

• Tax-free donations: QCDs are a way to donate to charity from your IRA without paying taxes on the distribution.
• Satisfies RMDs: A QCD can satisfy all or part of your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), which is the amount you're required to withdraw from your IRA each year after a certain age.
• Direct transfer: The funds are transferred directly from your IRA to the qualified charity, not to you.
• Age requirement: You must be at least 70 1/2 years old to make a QCD.
• IRA types: QCDs can be made from traditional, rollover, or Roth IRAs.
• Tax benefits: The QCD is not included in your taxable income, and you don't need to itemize deductions to take advantage of it.
• Limit: In 2027, the maximum amount you can exclude from your taxable income through QCDs is $110,000 per year.

​
How QCDs Work

1. Contact your IRA trustee: Inform your IRA trustee that you want to make a QCD to a specific qualified charity.
2. Direct transfer: The trustee will make the distribution directly to the charity.
3. No taxes: The distribution is not included in your taxable income.
4. No deduction: You don't receive a charitable deduction for the QCD, but you don't have to include it in your income either.

 
Who Can Benefit from QCDs?

• Individuals aged 70 1/2 or older: This is the primary eligibility requirement.
• Those with IRAs: You need to have a traditional, rollover, or Roth IRA to make a QCD.
• Those who want to donate to charity: QCDs provide a tax-efficient way to give to qualified charities.
• Those who want to reduce their RMDs: QCDs can help you satisfy your RMD obligation while also supporting a good cause.

 
References:
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds 

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-iras-distributions-withdrawals

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/qualified-charitable-distributions-allow-eligible-ira-owners-up-to-100000-in-tax-free-gifts-to-charity

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/give-more-tax-free-eligible-ira-owners-can-donate-up-to-105000-to-charity-in-2024

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/reminder-to-ira-owners-age-70-and-a-half-or-over-qualified-charitable-distributions-are-great-options-for-making-tax-free-gifts-to-charity
.