Benefits of IRA giving

QCDs count toward your required minimum distribution for the year. If you have to take your required minimum distribution but you don't want or need the funds, QCDs are a good way to distribute the amount out of the IRA. As an added benefit, you'll avoid paying income tax on your gross income up to $105,000.

IRA Giving Rules

• You must be 70-1/2 or older when gifting your IRA to charity. 

• You may distribute up to $105,000 in a calendar year to one or more public charities when completed by December 31 of that year. 

• Your IRA administrator must make the distribution directly to the Minnesota Zoo Foundation, or you may write a check to the Minnesota Zoo Foundation from your IRA checkbook.

How to Make My IRA Gift

1. Contact your IRA administrator and ask them to transfer funds to the Minnesota Zoo Foundation.

2. Have your financial institution make the check out to “Minnesota Zoo Foundation” and identify you as the donor by name and address so we can acknowledge your gift. Also, have your administrator note that the transfer is an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution.

They can mail the check to:

Minnesota Zoo Foundation
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apply Valley, MN 55124