Give From Your IRA, Save on Taxes AND Save Lives!

August 4, 2026

Give Through Your IRA: Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a simple, tax‑smart way to support Donate Life Kentucky Trust directly from your IRA.

If you are 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA to a qualified nonprofit like ours.

Your gift can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and is generally excluded from your taxable income.

For example: If your RMD is $10,000 this year, you could direct the full $10,000 from your IRA to Donate Life Kentucky Trust as a QCD. Your gift could satisfy your entire RMD – meaning you would not need to take an additional $10,000 distribution yourself, and the qualifying QCD generally would not be included in your taxable income.

Why This Matters

  • Lower taxable income which may reduce your overall tax bill.
  • Satisfies your RMD if you are 73 or older.
  • Makes an immediate impact for transplant patients, donor families, and organ donation awareness.


3 Simple Steps to Make a QCD

  1. 1. Contact your IRA custodian (ie: Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, your bank, financial planner, attorney, accountant, etc.)
    Tell them you want to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution to Donate Life Kentucky Trust.
  2. Letter Template Here.

    2. Provide our information:

Circuit Clerks’ Trust For Life Inc. DBA Donate Life Kentucky Trust 

10505 Watterson Trail
Louisville, KY 40299 

EIN 61-1228487
Tax-Wise Giving – Donate Life KY


3. Ask them to send the check directly to us (made payable to Donate Life Kentucky Trust).

  1. For the gift to qualify as a QCD, the funds must be transferred directly from your IRA to Donate Life Kentucky Trust rather than distributed to you personally. Your IRA custodian can arrange the transfer and provide instructions for sending your gift.


Important Tips

  • Keep a copy of the transfer paperwork for your tax records.
  • We will send you an acknowledgment letter for your files – QCD gifts do not qualify for an additional charitable deduction.


Your Gift Creates Hope

Your QCD gift directly supports: