Other Ways to Give

Raise money for your birthday, to celebrate a kidney transplant anniversary, or any other reason using Facebook. To create a fundraiser for the NKFM all you need to do is:  Click Fundraisers in the left menu of your News Feed. Click Raise Money. Click Nonprofit. Select the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.  Choose a cover photo, fill in the Fundraiser details and then click Create.

While the mileage and wear on your car increases, so does the number of people in Michigan suffering from kidney disease. By donating your car, truck, van, or boat to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s (NKFM) Kidney Cars program, aside from helping others and potentially saving lives, you could even earn yourself a tax refund. Donating is easy and the funds raised will help to make a difference in countless lives. For more information, call 1-800-488-CARS (1-800-488-2277) or visit kidney.org/kidneycars.

By naming the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan as owner and beneficiary of a paid-up life insurance policy you can have a significant impact on kidney disease. Gifting a life insurance policy can greatly reduce your taxable estate. Once the rider has been added, no further action is needed by the policyholder.

Naming the  National Kidney Foundation of Michigan as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy is the simplest way to provide a charity with the death benefit proceeds from a policy. It doesn’t offer the income tax advantages that come with gifting a policy, but it still reduces the donor’s estate by the amount of the death benefit.

Volunteers have a huge impact on our ability to help people with kidney disease. Learn how to become a volunteer.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) helps to shape public policy on behalf of kidney disease patients. We work with Congress and federal agencies, as well as with state governments to further legislation and regulation that improve the care and quality of life of kidney disease patients.

Our focus is maintaining the state funding for programs to prevent or manage diabetes and high blood pressure, the leading causes of kidney failure. These programs are critical to improving quality of life for those living with kidney disease and those at risk. We work to maintain this funding and educate lawmakers about its importance. Read more about our efforts here.

The volunteer Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) consists of medical and public health professionals who advise and guide the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan in medical, programmatic and scientific matters. This includes guidance related to chronic kidney disease and its precursors, and the NKFM’s programs and services. Learn more about the SAB here.

Another great option to minimize taxes when making a charitable contribution is to bundle your charitable gifts with the use of a Donor Advised Fund. By opening a fund, you receive a charitable deduction, and have the option of gifting from that fund whenever you want. This not only allows you to take advantage of itemizing your taxes, but it also organizes and simplifies your charitable giving. For more questions contact Paul Metta, Vice President of Finance, at pmetta@nkfm.org for further assistance.

One of the easiest ways to make a gift to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is by leaving a bequest in your will. There are several ways you can do this:

• give a specific amount of money
• give a specific item of property
• give a specified percentage of the residue of your estate (the residue of your estate is that which remains after all specific gifts have been made, whether charitable or non-charitable).

A bequest may be included in the body of a will or as an amendment (codicil). Gifts made through a bequest typically provide an estate tax deduction. Please consult your attorney and/or financial advisor for specific information.

Gifts such as a Charitable Remainder Trust can be considered as a potential option for your family. These gifts can provide tax benefits combined with annual income for the donor. The National Kidney Foundation will work with you and your advisor if you are interested in this option.

For further questions about donating to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan contact Lisa Schutz-Jelic at lschutz@nkfm.org.