Support Local Communities Through Your IRA
IRA Charitable Gifts to United Way
IRA charitable gifts may allow eligible donors to support United Way of Northwest Illinois while satisfying all or part of an annual required minimum distribution.
IRA Charitable Gifts and Qualified Distributions
A qualified charitable distribution, commonly called a QCD, is generally a payment sent directly from an eligible individual retirement account to a qualified charitable organization.
A QCD may offer a convenient way to support programs serving Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties. Your IRA custodian and professional advisers can help you determine whether this giving option is right for you.
What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution?
A qualified charitable distribution is generally sent directly from an eligible IRA to a qualified charitable organization. The IRA owner must be at least age 70½ when the transfer is made.
When the requirements are met, the distribution may be excluded from the donor’s taxable income. The donor generally cannot also claim the excluded amount as a charitable contribution deduction.
Tax circumstances differ. Speak with a qualified professional about how these rules apply to you.
Can an IRA Gift Count Toward an RMD?
Yes. A qualifying distribution can count toward all or part of a required minimum distribution for the year.
Traditional IRA owners generally begin taking required minimum distributions at age 73. Different rules may apply based on the account, birth year and individual circumstances.
The eligibility age for making a QCD remains 70½. Therefore, an eligible donor may be able to make a QCD before reaching the age when required minimum distributions begin.
How to Make an IRA Charitable Gift
- Contact your IRA trustee, custodian or financial adviser.
- Ask whether you qualify to make a charitable distribution directly from your IRA.
- Request that the payment be made directly to United Way of Northwest Illinois.
- Ask the custodian to include your name and mailing address with the check or transfer.
- Contact United Way so we can identify your gift, provide an acknowledgment and record any eligible local designation.
Information for Your IRA Custodian
Legal organization name:
United Way of Northwest Illinois
Mailing address:
524 W. Stephenson St., Suite 101
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-232-5184
Federal tax ID: 36-2218134
Gift contact: Connie Kraft
director@uwni.org
IRA Charitable Gifts: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw my RMD and then donate it?
A QCD generally must be transferred directly from the IRA trustee or custodian to the qualified charity. Withdrawing the money personally and then donating it may be treated differently for tax purposes.
Can I receive tickets, meals or other benefits?
Generally, a donor cannot receive goods or services in exchange for a QCD. Let United Way know that your payment is intended as a qualified charitable distribution.
Can I support a particular county or local program?
Contact United Way before starting the transfer. We can discuss eligible options in Stephenson, Jo Daviess or Carroll County.
Can a donor-advised fund receive my QCD?
Donor-advised funds generally are not eligible recipients of qualified charitable distributions. Ask your financial or tax adviser whether a direct gift to United Way qualifies in your circumstances.
Will United Way acknowledge my IRA gift?
Yes. United Way will provide an acknowledgment when it can identify the donor. IRA checks and transfers do not always contain complete donor information, so please notify us when the gift is sent.
Let Us Know Your IRA Gift Is Coming
Your notification helps us identify the payment, acknowledge your generosity and follow any eligible gift instructions.
Contact United Way of Northwest Illinois or call 815-232-5184.
This page provides general educational information only. United Way of Northwest Illinois does not provide legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. Consult your IRA custodian and professional advisers before making a gift. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Learn more from the IRS information about IRA distributions .