* "What type of donations may be exchanged for a gift annuity?":#to_type 
* "Is there a minimum value for a charitable gift annuity?":#to_minimum
* "Can more than one annuitant receive payments?":#to_annuitant 
* "When will the annuitant(s) begin to receive gift annuity payments?":#to_when 
* "Do payments have to begin immediately or can they start when the annuitant retires?":#to_payments 
* "How will I receive my payments?":#to_receive 
* "Who invests the Charitable Gift Annuity funds?":#to_invests 
* "Can WaterStone provide preliminary gift annuity calculations?":#to_prelim 
* "How do I initiate a Charitable Gift Annuity?":#to_initiate 

h2(#to_type). What type of donations may be exchanged for a gift annuity? 

Gifts of cash and securities may be exchanged for a Charitable Gift Annuity. Non-cash assets will be immediately sold and invested. 

h2(#to_minimum). Is there a minimum value for a charitable gift annuity? 

Yes, the WaterStone Board of Directors has established a $25,000 minimum in order to enter a Charitable Gift Annuity agreement. 

h2(#to_annuitant). Can more than one annuitant receive payments? 

IRS regulations require that no more than two annuitants are to receive payments. However, most often, a Charitable Gift Annuity is written for the lives of both spouses. Another attractive feature of the charitable gift annuity is the ability to include others who are important to you. You may purchase a gift annuity to provide for a child with special needs or to provide for the long term needs of parents. 

h2(#to_when). When will the annuitant(s) begin to receive gift annuity payments?
 
If an "immediate" annuity is preferred, annuity payments will begin the end of the first payment period. Most of our donors request quarterly payments. The annuitant can expect payments by the last day of the quarter. 

h2(#to_payments). Do payments have to begin immediately or can they start when the annuitant retires? 

Payments may begin at a later date. This is called a "deferred payment gift annuity." Because the payments are deferred, they may be higher than the payments for an immediate annuity. This option may be very attractive to those who do not need income now but wish to plan for retirement.

h2(#to_receive). How will I receive my payments?

Most annuitants prefer their payments to be deposited directly into their bank account. All we need is a voided check with the authorization form signed by the annuitant and payments will be deposited on the last business day of the payment period.  Contact our office for the proper form.

h2(#to_invests). Who invests the Charitable Gift Annuity funds? 

The Investment Committee of the Board of Directors, is directly responsible for the appropriate investment of all gift annuity funds. Because WaterStone assumes the investment risk and all responsibility for the lifetime payments to the annuitants, the asset allocation for the prudent investment of the funds is decided by the Investment Committee. WaterStone also considers investment recommendations (compatible with the Investment Committee's selections) from the donor's professional investment advisor or from the Charity Advisor. 

h2(#to_prelim). Can WaterStone provide preliminary gift annuity calculations? 

Yes, WaterStone provides Deduction Calculations utilizing Crescendo Software and based on the American Council on Gift Annuities rate. We are happy to sponsor a link, where you may access Crescendo's online calculator at no charge. If you prefer, you may <a href="/contact/" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> and we will be pleased to provide calculations specific to your situation. Please provide the following information: 
* Donor/Annuitant Name 
* State of Residence 
* Annuitant Birth date(s) 
* Gift Type 
* Gift Value 
* Cost Basis 
* Payment Commencement 
* Payment Frequency 

h2(#to_initiate). How do I initiate a Charitable Gift Annuity?

In order to initiate a Charitable Gift Annuity, simply complete and sign the Charitable Gift Annuity Application and include your check (if considering a cash gift) or <a href="/contact/" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> regarding gifts of mutual funds or securities. The donor signs the application and sends it to our office. 
