The simplest (and most common) way to make a gift to the AAHF is to write a check. Not only are these gifts the simplest ~ they are among the most important. Your contribution may be designated for a specific program, or it may be undesignated, available for meeting the organization's most pressing needs. If you would like to identify a specific purpose for your gift, be sure to do this both on the check and in a cover letter.

Cash gifts are considered transferred on the date they are hand-delivered or mailed. For example, although a year-end gift might not be received until January, it is still deductible for the previous year if it has a December postmark.

Giving stocks and bonds that have increased in value (and that you have owned for more than one year) may provide greater tax benefits than giving cash. Your charitable income tax deduction is equal to the fair market value of the securities; and, you avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the fair market value over the original cost of the asset.

The easiest way to transfer securities is to have your broker contact the AAHF office. Be sure to describe the securities and the purpose of your gift in a letter to the AAHF. A gift of securities is considered complete when the shares are received into the AAHF account.

Another way to transfer securities is to send the actual certificates to the AAHF by registered mail and, under separate cover, mail a signed stock power with your signature guaranteed. NOTE: Please do not write "AAHF" on the certificate or on the stock power, nor have the certificate reissued in the AAHF's name, as this will delay the processing of your gift. A gift made in this way is considered complete on the post-marked date of mailing.

The value of a gift of publicly held securities is calculated by taking the average of the high and low sales price of the stock or bond on the date of your gift. Because of this averaging, the value of your gift may be slightly different from the actual sale price.

Securities that have decreased in market value still make a beneficial gift to the AAHF. It may be to your advantage to first sell the security, then give the cash to the AAHF. You may be able to deduct your capital loss to offset capital gains realized in the year your gift is made.

A gift of real estate (held longer than one year) to the AAHF provides a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the gift. You are not liable for capital gains tax on the appreciated value of the property.

In order to determine the amount you can deduct, you will need to have your gift of real estate appraised by a "qualified appraiser." NOTE: An appraisal obtained prior to the gift cannot be more than sixty (60) days old. You will also want to be sure to consult with the AAHF to make sure your real estate is appropriate to the needs of the organization.

Most gifts of real estate are sold to provide funds for current needs. In some cases, the proceeds from the sale of real estate gifts will be used to establish an endowment.

Donations of artwork, books, equipment, antique furniture and other gifts of personal property are sometimes appropriate gifts. Before making a gift of tangible personal property, however, please consult with the AAHF to confirm that your gift can be used as you wish, while also meeting the needs of the organization.

Gifts of tangible property entitle you to a deduction of the property's full fair market value when the gift is related to the AAHF's mission. If your gift is valued at $5,000 or more, you must have it appraised by a "qualified appraiser". NOTE: An appraisal obtained prior to the gift cannot be more than sixty (60) days old.

You may also give personal property that is unrelated to the mission of the AAHF. In this case, your deduction equals your cost basis in the property or its fair market value, whichever is less.

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