Tax Smart Gifts

A charitable account managed by a sponsoring organization such as a community foundation. You contribute to the DAF and receive an immediate tax deduction. If you tend to maintain a balance in your DAF account, you can recommend grants from that fund to St. Vladimir’s Seminary over time. And do remember to notify us about your gift so we can thank you for your generosity!

TIP: Have you checked with the DAF administrator to ensure you have designated a beneficiary with them? That is yet another way to remember the Seminary in your giving plans.

You can make a significant gift to St. Vladimir’s Seminary using retirement assets—such as IRAs, 401(k)s and 403(b)s—without affecting your current financial security.

If you are age 70.5 or older, giving from your IRA is a tax-wise way to support the Seminary. In 2026, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow you to give up to $111,000 per individual or $222,000 for married couples. This limit is indexed for inflation and applies to traditional and Roth IRAs, as well as inactive SEP and SIMPLE IRAs.

TIP: If you are 73 or older and taking a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), a QCD can be a simple way to fulfill that requirement.

How it works:

• Instruct your IRA custodian (Vanguard, Fidelity, or other) to initiate a direct transfer or issue a check payable to St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
• Contact our Finance Office (Peter Kopcha at [email protected] or (914) 961-8313 x304) or Advancement Office (Virginia Nieuwsma at [email protected] or (914) 961-8313 x317) for transfer instructions or bank information.
• The transfer may be sent directly to the Seminary or to you to forward—but must remain payable to the Seminary.
• Gifts must be completed by December 31 to count for the current tax year.

After your gift:

• Your IRA custodian will report the distribution on Form 1099-R.
• You may report it as a tax-free charitable distribution on your return.

Please notify us of your gift and your IRA custodian, so we can track its arrival, acknowledge it properly, and thank you for your generosity. You may contact Virginia Nieuwsma (Advancement) at [email protected] or (914) 961-8313 x317, or Peter Kopcha (Finance) at [email protected] or (914) 961-8313 x304.

Many donors prefer to make gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds because it can have a large impact for St. Vladimir’s Seminary while maximizing potential tax benefits. 

By donating appreciated securities, you may:

• Avoid capital gains taxes
• Receive a federal income tax deduction for the full fair market value
• Increase the size of your gift—often by up to 20%—compared to giving cash

The result is simple: more of your gift goes directly to support the Seminary’s mission.

How to Give

Securities are typically transferred electronically (a “DTC transfer”) through your broker. You or your advisor will need transfer instructions, and we ask that you notify us so we can properly acknowledge and direct your gift.

For transfer instructions or to notify us of a gift, please contact:

Virginia Nieuwsma
Chief Advancement Officer
[email protected]
(914) 961-8313 x317

Account Name: St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
EIN/Tax ID is: 13-1656625

Questions or Written Inquiries
Peter Kopcha
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
(914) 961-8313 x304
St. Vladimir’s Seminary
575 Scarsdale Road
Yonkers, NY 10707
Fax: (914) 961-4507

TIP: Mailing Stocks or Bonds 

Donating securities by mail requires the following four documents:

1. The stock or bond certificate(s)
2. A letter stating that this is a gift for the Seminary and indicating the purpose of the gift
3. An Irrevocable Stock or Bond Power form
4. A notarized Third Party Release form for each certificate

If you have physical stock certificates and are considering this option, please contact the Office of Finance for detailed instructions before sending any materials:

Peter Kopcha
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
(914) 961-8313 x304

Multiply your gift at no cost to you! Many employers will match charitable donations to schools and universities. If your company matches, this multiplies your generosity at no cost to you. Your company’s human resources department can offer information about gift matching. 

TIP: If you already have a gift matching form, please send it in the same envelope as your gift letter.