IRA Distributions

If you are 70 ½ or older and have an IRA, making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to the Southern Environmental Law Center is a tax-smart way to make a donation.  The QCD allows you to direct IRA distributions – up to $100,000 per year – to qualified 501(c)3 charitable organizations like SELC.  Because the IRA income goes directly to charity, you do not report the distribution as income and do not pay any taxes on the QCD.  This may be beneficial if you are forced to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) and don’t need the extra money. In addition to avoiding taxable income, your distribution will support SELC’s critical environmental work.

Keep in mind that the IRS only allows this type of “charitable rollover” from IRAs and not from other retirement plans like 401(k)s or 403(b)s.  QCDs to donor advised funds are also not eligible.  If you are currently making pre-tax contributions to your IRA, we recommend that you speak with your financial advisor since this may reduce your ability to apply a QCD towards your required minimum distribution.

We’ve partnered with FreeWill to share a secure, online giving platform that makes it simple to support SELC with a QCD. You can quickly fill out the necessary forms for your custodian and it allows us to track your gift and thank you appropriately. 

Take action. Consider supporting SELC with your IRA today.

You will need the following information in order to make an IRA distribution to SELC:

  • Legal name:  Southern Environmental Law Center
  • Address:  120 Garrett Street, Suite 400, Charlottesville, VA  22902
  • Tax ID #:  52-1436778

If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

The Southern Environmental Law Center is the best managed organization—non-profit or corporate—that I have ever been associated with.

Mark Logan, Former Chair and CEO of VISX, Inc., former SELC Board of Trustees member

Questions about our financials?

See SELC’s 990, audited financial statement and third party charity ratings.

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General questions or comments?

Have a question or comment? Please email us below or reach out by mail at 201 West Main Street, Suite 14, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

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