"I became personally involved in our [class action] lawsuit because I honestly cared about the women who would follow after me. ... They, like everyone else, deserve to grow up in a society that is fair and just."
– Rollin Haffer, LAF plaintiff

Since 1981, LAF has worked to combat sex discrimination in higher education and workplaces. LAF is a program of the AAUW Educational Foundation and therefore a 501(c)(3) charity. All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Meet the LAF plaintiffs AAUW is supporting in 2008.

Through community and campus outreach programs, a resource library, online advocacy tools, and research reports, LAF educates the public about sex discrimination issues and provides strategies to prevent and combat such discrimination.

There are many contribution options to benefit LAF. For more information about the gift options listed below, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

MEMORIAL GIFTS

If you wish to make a donation in memory of a deceased family member or friend, AAUW will acknowledge your thoughtful remembrance with a letter to the loved ones of the deceased. You will receive a confirmation letter. The amount of your gift is shown only on your confirmation.

Make a memorial gift now »

IN-HONOR GIFTS

If you wish to make a donation in honor of someone, AAUW will send a letter to the honoree acknowledging your thoughtful gift. You will receive a confirmation letter. The amount of your gift is shown only on your confirmation.

Make an in honor gift now »

GIFTS OF STOCK

Publicly traded securities such as stocks and bonds can be transferred to the Educational Foundation to benefit the LAF program. Gifts of stocks and bonds entitle you to a tax deduction for the full market value of the securities, and you avoid capital gains taxes.

To give stock or for more information, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

MATCHING GIFTS AND WORKPLACE GIVING

Matching Gifts

Many companies offer matching gift programs. To find out if your company will match a gift to the Legal Advocacy Fund, contact your personnel, human resources, or community relations department. Then send your company matching gift form to:

AAUW Development Office
Attn: Matching Gifts Coordinator
P.O. Box 630832
Baltimore, Maryland 21263-0832
Fax: 202/463-7169

The AAUW development staff will complete the form and send the required documentation to your company. For more information, contact development@aauw.org.

BEQUESTS

The simplest form of a legacy gift — one that is left to a charity in your will — is known as a bequest. Bequests often allow you to make a sizable gift that might not be possible during your lifetime. A bequest has several advantages:

• It is 100 percent deductible for estate tax purposes;
• It may place your estate in a lower estate tax bracket; and
• It will allow AAUW development staff to include your bequest intentions in plans for the legacy donor club.

In a simple bequest, you give a stated amount to LAF without attaching any conditions. Simple bequest language might read as follows:

I give and bequeath to the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, a program of the Educational Foundation, (Federal Tax ID# 526037388), a charitable organization duly existing under the laws of the District of Columbia and located at 1111 Sixteenth St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036, $________________ (indicate either the dollar amount of the gift, the percentage of your estate, or a description of the securities or real property you wish to donate) to be used as needed for the LAF program.

For more information on bequests and the legacy donor program, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

LIFE INCOME GIFTS

The life income gift program makes it possible for you to contribute to LAF and receive needed income for life. Your planned gift entitles you to membership in AAUW's Legacy Circle.

When you make an initial gift of cash, securities, or other property to benefit LAF, the Foundation agrees to pay you, another beneficiary, or both of you a guaranteed fixed income for life. The Foundation follows the age-based gift annuity rates recommended by the American Council on Gift Annuities.

Younger donors should consider the deferred charitable gift annuity. With this option, you establish a gift annuity now and defer income payments until a future date when income needs are greater. Although the payments are deferred, you receive an immediate income tax deduction for the initial gift.

To give an annuity or for more information, including having a gift illustration prepared especially for you, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

Charitable remainder trusts can help protect your assets, reduce taxes, provide lifetime income to you or your beneficiary, and support LAF. These powerful tax-saving tools may actually enhance the inheritance your heirs will receive.

To give a charitable trust or for more information, contact your estate planning professional or the AAUW development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

Making a gift through a pooled income fund can reduce your tax liabilities and provide you with a variable yet reliable income. Contributions are pooled together into managed portfolios. You receive a current tax deduction for the donation and avoid paying capital gains taxes on the donated assets. Income earnings within the pooled income fund are paid to you or your named income beneficiary for life.

To make a contribution to a pooled income fund or for more information, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

GIFTS FROM OTHER SOURCES

Retirement plan vehicles like the Roth IRA, 401(k), and 403(b) allow individuals to save and plan for their retirement. Unfortunately, if the plan names beneficiaries other than a spouse, accumulations will be taxed at a higher rate at the plan holder's death. Avoid this extra tax by naming a nonprofit program such as LAF as your retirement plan beneficiary. Proceeds of retirement plans are distributed outside probate and are free from federal estate tax.

To designate a retirement plan or for more information, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

Donating a life insurance policy that you no longer need (because the beneficiaries have grown up or are otherwise protected, for example) allows you to make a larger gift to LAF without using other income or assets. Alternatively, consider taking out a new life insurance policy naming the LAF program as the beneficiary and owner of the policy.

To give an insurance policy or for more information, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

Residences, vacation homes, farms, unimproved land, and commercial property can be donated as a charitable contribution. In most cases you may deduct the full market value of the property and avoid capital gains taxes. A qualified appraisal is required before the gift is made. The Educational Foundation will sell the property upon receipt and use the proceeds to support LAF's important work on behalf of women and girls.

To give real estate or determine if a given property falls within AAUW guidelines, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

Make a gift of your savings account by designating the LAF program as a joint owner with rights of survivorship. You can change the survivor designation, close the account, or withdraw the money in these plans at any time. LAF has no claim on your account while you are alive.

To give a savings account or for more information, contact the development office at development@aauw.org or 202/728-3307.

 Contribute now!