Pledges can be both a convenient and tax-friendly way to give. A pledge allows a supporter to make a more significant impact over time if they are not be able to give at that level all at once. CCC happily works with donors on pledges of up to three years total (pledges can be renewable at the end of that time period).

In-kind gifts involve donating tangible items such as raffle or auction packages for our fundraising events, furniture or computers for our office and program space, or snacks, blankets, art supplies, or courage store toys and $10 gift cards for our programs. In-kind gifts help CCC save dollars on purchasing such items, so that the organization can, in turn, directly apply that funding to programs for the families we serve.

Note: Snacks must be individually packaged, peanut-free, and not manufactured in a warehouse that may contain peanuts. Popular items include mini cookies, sandwich crackers, fruit snacks, chips, granola bars, etc.

Donated items can be dropped off or mailed to our office:

Children’s Cancer Connection
5701 Greendale Road
Johnston, IA 50131

View our wish list items. If you have specific questions, please contact the Development Team.

Gifts of appreciated stock are a great way to support Children’s Cancer Connection. Gifts of stock provide an opportunity to maximize your philanthropic impact and your tax benefits.

Maximize Charitable Giving

• By donating stock, you can give more to Children’s Cancer Connection than if you sold the stock and donated the proceeds. It is CCC’s policy to sell gifts of stock upon receipt and use the full value of the proceeds for its mission.

Avoid Capital Gains Taxes

• If you sell appreciated stock, you’ll owe taxes on the capital gain. Donating the stock directly allows you to avoid paying capital gains taxes, and Children’s Cancer Connection receives the full value of the gift.

Tax Deduction Benefits

• Donating appreciated stock can result in a larger tax deduction because you can claim the stock’s fair market value rather than just your original purchase price.

Example:

You wish to make a $6,000 gift to Children’s Cancer Connection to support a cabin of 10 campers at Camp Heart Connection. You are considering selling stock you own and then donating the proceeds to CCC or transferring the securities directly to CCC.

You have 100 shares of a publicly traded stock that you’ve held for at least a year and your cost basis for that stock is $1,000 ($10 per share). The value of the stock has risen to $60 a share or $6,000.

If you sold the stock and donated the proceeds, you would owe taxes on the capital gain—the difference between the current market value and your cost basis.

• Capital gain: $6,000 (gift amount) – $1,000 (cost basis) = $5,000 (long-term gain)
• Capital gains tax at the long-term rate of 20%: $5,000 x 0.20 = $1,190

After selling the stock and paying the taxes, you would be left with $4,572 to donate.

However, if you transfer the stock directly to Children’s Cancer Connection, CCC receives the full $6,000 value of the donation, no capital gains are incurred, and you are eligible to claim a $6,000 tax deduction.

How to Make a Stock Gift:

Our stock transfer form contains all of the information your broker will need to initiate the electronic transfer (DTC) of stock from your brokerage account to Children’s Cancer Connection. Please also provide a copy of the form to CCC via mail or email ([email protected]) so that we are aware of the incoming gift. When stocks are transferred electronically, we are only informed of the number of shares and name of the stock given, so it is very important to ask your brokerage to include your name, contact information and any instructions for the use of the gift.

The Fine Print:

• Children’s Cancer Connection can only accept donations of commonly held publicly traded stock that you’ve held for at least one year.
• For tax purposes, your gift will be valued at the median market price on the date the gift was received in our brokerage account.
• The IRS imposes limits on how much you can deduct for noncash donations, including stock, so please consult with your tax and investment advisors for advice.

For any questions please contact Jennifer Hines, CEO, at: 515-243-6239 x 1101 or [email protected] or Jenny Harmeyer, Director of Development at: 515-243-6239 x 1109 or [email protected].

Consider supporting Children’s Cancer Connection through a direct transfer of funds from a traditional IRA. This is a great way to maximize your philanthropic impact and reduce your tax liability. Here’s how it works:

• Your pretax contributions to your traditional IRA have grown over time and personal withdrawals or RMD’s create a taxable event.  By directly transferring funds (called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to Children’s Cancer Connection, you maximize your impact while avoiding any tax liability for the gain on your investment. Your gift is not considered a charitable tax deduction since it does not create taxable income for you.
• You must be 70 ½ or older.
• You may individually transfer up to a total of $108,000 per year ($216,000 for a married couple) in 2025.
• Your gift must be transferred directly from the IRA account to Children’s Cancer Connection. Contact your IRA custodian and ask them to facilitate the direct transfer.
• If you are 73 and older, the transfer of funds counts towards your annual Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA.
• New in 2025, an individual may take a one-time Qualified Charitable Distribution of up to $54,000 to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) or charitable remainder trust (CRT).

By naming Children’s Cancer Connection as a direct beneficiary of your retirement plan (IRA, 401(k), 403(B), etc.) you can reduce or eliminate tax liability for your heirs while ensuring your legacy gift goals are fulfilled.

Supporters can name CCC for a certain percentage, dollar amount, or as a residual or contingent beneficiary. 

Contact your plan custodian to complete or update a beneficiary form. 

Please speak with your financial advisor about making an impact on Children’s Cancer Connection and the families CCC serves through a charitable remainder trust or gift annuity.

One popular and simple way to leave your legacy at Children’s Cancer Connection is by setting up bequests in your will and naming CCC in your living trust. Supporters can name CCC for a certain percentage, dollar amount, or as a residual or contingent beneficiary. 

Documenting this with a Development Team member at Children’s Cancer Connection will ensure that your assets will be used to support CCC and its families in the exact ways you intended. Please email the Development Team for more information about bequests.

Sample Bequest Language to Use in Your Will

Percentage or Residuary of Estate

“I give, devise and bequeath _______________________ (describe dollar amount or proportion of residuary estate) to Children’s Cancer Connection, Inc., a nonprofit corporation located in Johnston, Iowa 50131, tax identification number 42-1313167, to be used for its unrestricted use (or identify a specific purpose).”

 The appropriate wording for making a gift depends on the type of gift, state law and the donor’s unique circumstances. Children’s Cancer Connection urges all prospective donors to seek the assistance of personal legal and financial advisors in matters relating to their gifts, and the resulting tax and estate planning consequences. 

Please contact the Development Team to discuss gifts of real estate.