When you support the North Carolina Opera by simply writing a check, you make great things happen and may receive a federal income tax charitable deduction. If you itemize, you can write off the amount you are donating, resulting in lower taxable income. Unsure of whether your gift is tax-deductible? Contact your financial advisor or tax consultant.

Tax deadline: Your envelope must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before Dec. 31 for your donation to qualify this year.

By donating appreciated securities that you have owned for longer than one year, you receive the same income tax savings as you would by making a gift of cash. You also eliminate any tax on the appreciation.

Tax deadline: If the securities are electronically transferred to us, the gift date is the day the securities enter our account—not the date you ask your broker to make the transfer.

You may make contributions into your donor-advised fund (DAF) account. Please contact your DAF organization to advise on a donation and be sure to read through their guidelines. If you are ready to start making an impact with your DAF, consider recommending a grant—or recurring grants—to support North Carolina Opera.

Tax deadline: You qualify for an income tax deduction when you make a gift to a DAF, without immediately having to choose the organizations you want to support. (Note: You only qualify for a tax deduction when you contribute to your fund, not when you recommend a grant—though with the latter, you get to see your gift help a cause you care about.)

If you are 70½ or older, you can give any amount up to $105,000 from your IRA directly to the North Carolina Opera. (Note: This amount will be higher in subsequent years to adjust for inflation.) You will not pay income taxes on the transfer. If you are required to take minimum distributions, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your obligation.

Tax deadline: Your IRA administrator must remove the funds from your account by Dec. 31 for your donation to qualify this year. If you have check-writing features on your IRA, your check must clear your account by Dec. 31 to count toward your required minimum distribution for the calendar year.

Life insurance that no longer serves its original purpose may be used to ensure that opera is enjoyed by and accessible to audiences in the future. Also consider using life to leverage a gift and make it more impactful.

You can help NC Opera expand its productions and education programs for many years to come, continuing the rich tradition of the arts in the Triangle, simply by making a bequest of any amount in your will, trust or donor advised fund.