Support our work

It takes all of us to create change. Since 1867, the Southern Education Foundation has been a leader in improving education in the South, especially for Black students, other students of color, and students living in low-income families.

Become a Regular Supporter

Ways You Can Support SEF Today

Your contributions support our research and data, state and federal policy and advocacy, leadership development programs, and promising innovations in education. Consider becoming a regular supporter of SEF today!

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Make a one-time gift or recurring monthly payment to support the work of the Southern Education Foundation.

Mutual Funds or Stocks

Maximize your support of the Southern Education Foundation by donating long-term appreciated securities, including stock, bonds, and mutual funds. Make a significant philanthropic impact while also unlocking additional tax benefits over cash donations. Here are three reasons why:

  • You may be eligible to take a tax deduction.

    Current IRS guidance specifies that donors can write off, or deduct, the fair market value of any noncash donations (including stock and mutual fund shares held for over a year) to qualified charities at up to 30% of your annual adjusted gross income (AGI). While the allowable deduction amount is higher for cash donations at up to 60% of your AGI, it can still be more beneficial to donate the investment assets for the reasons below.

  • Avoid paying capital gains tax

    If the value of your shares has appreciated in the year(s) since you acquired them, any profit you’d earn from selling those shares would be subject to capital gains tax at up to 20%, depending on your income and filing status. Donating those appreciated shares instead will help you avoid the capital gains tax on selling your securities. This could be a potentially advantageous option to consider if you’re looking to offset a portion of your overall capital gains tax liability following a liquidity event, like an IPO.

  1. To donate by mail, please make checks payable to the Southern Education Foundation:
    Southern Education Foundation, Inc.
    Attention: Development Office
    101 Marietta St. NW, Suite 1650
    Atlanta, GA 30303
  2. For additional information, please contact Sara Haj-Hussein, SEF’s Director of Business Development and Donor Relations, via email: shaj-hussein@southerneducation.org.

Employee payroll deduction and matching gifts

Many donors choose to give through a payroll deduction, similar to how they’d contribute to a retirement account. A charitable payroll deduction allows you to spread your gift out over a year, so it’s automatic and easier on cash flow. Ask your employer about employee payroll deduction and their matching gift policy today.

Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations you care about. When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a donor-advised fund at a public charity, like Southern Education Foundation, you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. Donor-advised funds are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States because they are one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to give to charity. 

Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

The IRS allows, and even encourages, charitable donations from tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as an IRA. Not only can this help you efficiently do some good, but you can take a solid tax deduction in the process. There are three main ways to donate retirement assets:

Make a direct transfer

Cash out and withdraw assets as normal from your retirement account. Then, you can donate it as you prefer. You would pay any applicable taxes on an IRA withdrawal, typically income taxes, and only can take a charitable giving deduction if you itemize your taxes.

Minimize taxes with a QCD

Donating from an IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Transfer assets or money directly from your retirement account to the Southern Education Foundation. The IRS allows you to treat this as a tax-free transfer, meaning that you do not have to apply the assets to your taxable income for the year. This is true even if you take the standard deduction, making a QCD not only a very tax-efficient form of charitable giving but also a great way to meet your required minimum distributions tax-free.

Donate through estate planning

Finally, you can donate through your estate planning. Your estate can transfer an IRA to SEF directly (by transferring the portfolio and its assets), indirectly (by cashing out the IRA and donating the money), or in trust (by establishing a trust that will distribute the assets). This can be a good way to give a significant sum if you have large retirement assets. It can also create a very significant tax advantage for your estate, which can in turn reduce any taxes that your heirs and/or estate would owe.