Donating via Qualified Charitable Distribution

CLS is happy to accept donations via Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). A QCD allows an eligible IRA owner to directly transfer funds from their Individual Retirement Arrangement to a charity or 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The transfer of funds is tax-free and can be used to satisfy the Required Minimum Distribution for that tax year.

To donate via QCD, the IRA owner must first contact the IRA custodian, such as the brokerage firm or bank, to formally request the distribution. The request must clearly specify the exact dollar amount and the name of the intended qualified charity – in our case, Community Legal Services, Inc.

The IRA custodian will send the funds to CLS via a direct electronic funds transfer (EFT) or via check. If you choose EFT, and they need to contact CLS to do so, please direct them to Julian Layton at jlayton@clsphila.org. If you choose check, the check needs to be made out to Community Legal Services and mailed to:

Community Legal Services
Attn: Development Unit
1424 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102

For more information on donating via QCDs, click here. If you have any CLS-specific questions, please contact Julian at jlayton@clsphila.org.