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WAYS TO GIVE

Qualified Charitable Distributions

If you’re 70½ or older, your IRA can become a meaningful way to support LightHawk while potentially reducing your taxable income.

HOW A QCD WORKS

A Simple Way to Give From Your IRA

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows you to make a gift directly from your IRA to LightHawk without first taking the distribution as taxable income. For 2026, eligible individuals may make QCDs of up to $111,000 annually. If you are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), a qualifying QCD can count toward satisfying it for the year.

We encourage you to consult your financial or tax advisor to determine what’s right for your situation.

Make a QCD in Three Simple Steps

1

Contact your IRA custodian.

Ask your custodian to send your Qualified Charitable Distribution directly to LightHawk, PO Box 2751, Grand Junction, CO 81502. Tax ID 84-0852104. Please provide this information so the gift reaches us correctly.

2

Let LightHawk know your gift is coming.

Email [email protected] or call (970) 797-9355 ext. 12 so we can identify your gift, acknowledge it properly, and honor any designation you have requested.

3

Receive your acknowledgment.

We’ll send you written confirmation for your records. A QCD that is excluded from taxable income cannot also be claimed as a charitable contribution deduction.

IMPORTANT: Ask your IRA custodian to include your name and address with the gift so we can identify and acknowledge it promptly. Please make checks payable to LightHawk.

A QCD may be right for you if:

  • You are age 70½ or older.
  • You are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and do not need the income.
  • You do not itemize deductions but still want a tax-efficient way to support LightHawk.
  • You want to make a charitable gift directly from your IRA.

You can make a QCD beginning at age 70½, even if you are not yet required to take an RMD. Under current federal rules, RMDs generally begin at age 73.

Frequently Asked Questions

For 2026, the annual QCD limit is $111,000 per eligible individual. The limit is indexed for inflation and may change in future years. Married couples who each have an eligible IRA may each make QCDs up to the individual annual limit.

Yes. A QCD can count toward your RMD for the year, up to the applicable annual QCD limit. This can be especially useful if you are required to take an RMD but do not need all of that income for living expenses.

QCDs can generally be made from traditional IRAs and from SEP or SIMPLE IRAs that are no longer receiving employer contributions. They cannot be made directly from 401(k), 403(b), or other employer-sponsored retirement plans. Please consult your financial or tax advisor to confirm that your account qualifies.

LightHawk’s Federal Tax ID is 84-0852104. LightHawk is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization eligible to receive charitable contributions.

Our Advancement Team is happy to help with questions about making a QCD. Email [email protected] or call (970) 797-9355 ext. 12.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our Advancement Team is happy to help with questions about giving from your IRA.

[email protected]
(970) 797-9355 ext. 12