How To Donate

Note:  To ensure that your donation counts in 2011, make sure your check is postmarked by December 31 or that you donate online by December 31.

Interested in making a long-term commitment to Habitat or you'd like to spread out your gift over a period of time? Then set-up a recurring gift online by using a credit or debit card. Donate money on-line through our secure website.

Please make your check payable to Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio and mail it to:

Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio
Att: Donation
311 Probandt
San Antonio, TX 78204

Please call (210) 223-5203

As you plan gifts for family and friends this year, consider a gift that keeps on giving long after the wedding, anniversary, birthday, graduation, holiday or other special event or memorial. Upon receipt of your contribution, we will send an acknowledgment card indicating that you have made a gift to Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio in honor of, or in memory of, the person you are celebrating. Be sure to include the name and address of the person who will receive the card.

If you would like to make a gift in honor of in memory of someone by credit card go to the online donation form.

For more information contact us at 210/223-5203.

Did you know that a matching gift could double or triple your donation? Many corporations will match employee or retiree gifts. Obtain a Matching Gift Form from your human resources office and include it with your donation. Be sure to fill out and sign the donor section before sending in the form. Some companies have an on-line matching gift procedure.

By making a gift of stock or mutual fund shares, you can receive some attractive benefits:

Relief from capital gains taxes; A charitable income tax deduction; Most important, the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping hard-working families find safe, affordable housing.

With over 60% of Americans owning securities, more people are giving stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in support of affordable housing. By donating securities to Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio, you can benefit from a tax savings that may allow you to donate more without an increased cost. Talk with your financial advisor, attorney, or accountant to determine if this is a good choice for you.

In order to better serve you, please notify us of your intentions to make a stock gift. Please contact us at 210/223-5203.

Donate from your IRA – IRA Holders Can Still Make 2010 Charitable Distributions

If you're looking for the most tax-effective gift to make to a charitable organization, your individual retirement account (IRA) may very well be the best choice.

Persons aged 70½ or older can again enjoy tax savings by making charitable gifts directly from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), thanks to a provision of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which was signed into law December 17, 2010. The act also allows charitable distributions made from an IRA in January 2011 to be declared as 2010 gifts, should the IRA holder wish to do so.

The December 17, 2010, law extends legislation originally adopted in 2006 and extended in 2008 (that extension expired December 31, 2009). For a charitable gift made from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) not to be taxed as income, the following must be true:

        • the gift was made in 2010 or 2011; 
        • the IRA holder is age 70½ or older;     
        • the gift totals $100,000 or less each year; 
        • the charity that receives the gift is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions; 
        • the withdrawal goes directly from the IRA to the charity.

The donor does not need to itemize his or her taxes to benefit from the distribution. If the donor does itemize, however, he or she cannot also take the distribution as a deduction.

Another tax-smart strategy is to name our organization as beneficiary of all or a portion of your IRA assets. By naming us as beneficiary of your IRA, you can leave us a gift that is free of all income and estate taxes because we are a charitable organization.

The above information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney or financial advisor for estate planning advice to determine if this is the best type of gift for you to make.

Consider leaving a lasting legacy to families in need who want to improve the lives of their family and children, by including Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio in your estate plans.  You can continue your support in your will by giving:

• Bequest in your will or revocable trust
• Gift of life insurance naming Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio as the beneficiary
• Gift of retirement benefits such as an IRA, 401K or 403(b)
• Charitable gift annuity
• Charitable remainder trust

You may find that you can make a larger gift than you ever thought possible by giving the remainder of your retirement account, pension plan, or other retirement planning vehicle.  This allows you to provide for your family first, then your charitable interests.

Many people have life insurance policies that they originally took out to protect mortgages that have since been paid or educational plans that have been completed.  These policies would make great charitable gifts.  Alternatively, you may decide to give a large gift by purchasing a new insurance policy.  If you name Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary, the premiums are tax deductible (to the extent allowed by law).

Consult with your financial advisor, attorney, or accountant to consider the best options for you.

If you have questions or would like to make your charitable intentions known, please contact Stephanie C. Wiese, Vice President at 210-223-5203 x157 or email at stephaniewiese@habitatsa.org.

Donate new construction materials in quantity and help us keep the cost of our affordable homes as low as possible. For information, please contact our Development office at 210/223-5203.

If you are thinking of donating a used car or other vehicle, Habitat for Humanity's Cars for Homes Program is for you. There is no cost to you and you don't have to live in San Antonio to donate a car to benefit our affiliate. When you donate a car, truck, boat, RV or other vehicle to Habitat's Cars for Homes vehicle donation program, you are helping us break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Your vehicle donation will make an impact on the lives of families in need of stable housing by helping Habitat for Humanity build homes and hope. Habitat is providing a hand up, and you can help!

Habitat for Humanity's car donation process is quick, easy and efficient. Call the Cars for Homes toll free number 1-877-277-HFHI (4344) or process your vehicle donation online today! Simply donate on-line, print the forms at the end of the donation wizard, submit the forms with your title and we will call you to coordinate the pick up of your vehicle.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity's Cars For Homes, click here.