When you give to the Red Cross, you feel a tremendous satisfaction knowing that you are helping people. Your financial gifts allow the American Red Cross to continue helping our community, the country and the world.

A charitable donation may also provide tax benefits for you and your family. But, most importantly, a gift to the Red Cross enables you to leave a lasting legacy.

Gifts of cash
This is the simplest way to give. For tax questions, always consult with your financial advisor.

Gifts of stock and mutual funds
You may own stock or mutual funds that have gone up or down in value. In either case, you may benefit by using these securities as a gift to help Red Cross.

Gifts by will
Many of our contributors make charitable gifts by naming the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter in their wills. If you already have a current estate plan, executing a codicil is simple. Please consult with your attorney. To make a bequest, the following language will help your attorney:

"I give, devise and bequeath to the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter, 50 Prince Street, Rochester, NY 14607 the sum of $__________ (or designate the percentage of the estate or otherwise describe the gift)."

Charitable gift annuities: Life income gifts
Imagine making a gift to your American Red Cross chapter and then opening the mail a few months later and finding a check from the Red Cross payable to you. It’s not that far-fetched. You can make a gift to the Red Cross and receive income for life. It’s easy. We can prepare a personalized proposal that will show you your rate and benefits. There is no cost or obligation for our gift planning services.

Gift of life insurance
Some of our contributors no longer need life insurance purchased years ago to provide for children or other family members, and donate the policy to the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter.

Charitable trusts
Individuals with very large estates can use a charitable trust to benefit the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter, and pass principle to family members with little or no tax penalty.

Gifts of retirement plans
Your IRA assets will be transferred to a charitable remainder trust, the trust will provide life income to the beneficiary, and then an eventual gift to the American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter. For more information, e-mail giving@grcarc.org or call (585) 241-4418.

Gifts-in-kind policy
In times of disaster, the American Red Cross provides assistance free of charge made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. Financial donations allow the Red Cross to do the most good for people. It is the most effective way for the Red Cross to provide immediate assistance and enables the most flexible use of resources.

And, unlike in-kind donations, cash contributions allow us to purchase items in bulk closer to the disaster site which will stimulate the local economy, minimize storage costs and guarantee the quick and effective arrival and use of supplies. Financial contributions provide significant support to the Red Cross mission to provide mass care and feeding in times of disaster—to treat every victim equally, whether it is on the local, national or international level.