Planned gifts benefit the American Optometric Foundation in the future and perpetuate long-term funding of optometric research and education. Planned gifts may be in the form of cash, securities, property, bequests, charitable gift annuities, and charitable trusts. A planned gift is also a convenient way to join AOF's Founders Circle and Presidents Circle. In addition to contributing to a meaningful cause, planned gifts provide you with a federal income tax deduction, tax-sheltered income, reduced estate taxes, or relief from capital gains. Planned gifts can be designated for general purposes, or restricted for specific intent.

Please do not hesitate to contact AOF if you would like to explore these planned giving options in greater length. As a service to our supporters, AOF offers complimentary appointments with an independent gift-planning consultant. This information is intended for general purposes only and not as legal, tax, or financial advice. For this, you should rely on the advice of your personal advisors. To schedule a phone consultation, please contact Lois Schoenbraun at 1-800-368-6263 or by email to Email Lois Schoenbraun.

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Every student and researcher helped through the American Optometric Foundation is a tribute to the commitment of the special donors who support our mission each year.

Options for Gifting
  • Outright gifts of appreciated stocks or bonds: Allows the donor to save taxes twice through the charitable deduction and the avoidance of capital gain tax.
  • Life income gifts: Funded by appreciated stock, bonds or real estate, the donor can save taxes twice (as above), while providing dependable income for the lifetime of the donor and/or others through pooled income funds, remainder trusts or gift annuities.
  • Life insurance policies: With the Charity either as beneficiary or owner of the policy. This can be a gift with modest out-of-pocket cost, particularly attractive to younger donors, and those of any age who have paid-up policies which may be no longer needed for the original purpose.
  • The gift you can live in for the rest of your life: Gifts of home or farm retaining the right to live in the property for the donor's lifetime through retained life estate.
  • The gift you get back: Gifts of income, with the income producing asset placed in a charitable lead trust for a fixed time period, returning later to the donor or heirs.
  • The gift with wealth replacement: Gifts paying a life income to the donor and/or others, adding insurance to replace the asset value which would have passed to the heirs. The cost of premiums may be defrayed by tax savings and/or increased income from the gift plan.
  • Gifts through a donor's will: In addition to outright bequests, a will can provide remainder trusts, gift annuities, lead trusts and retained life estate plans.