Contributions

Supporting the School

About Contributions

Donations of time and money help support the Arica School and to make the Work of the School possible for others who require financial assistance.
If you pay U.S. taxes, your entire financial contribution may be tax-deductible.

DONATE NOW

Ways to Contribute

Ways to Contribute

We are grateful to all the members who have given gifts of cash to Arica, and we’d like to offer some possibilities for making those gifts go further, while providing financial benefits to the contributor.

To make a donation now, please visit  the Arica Institute store .

1. DONATIONS OF STOCK, MUTUAL FUNDS OR OTHER SECURITIES

Some of us have investments that may have appreciated significantly. If, instead of selling an asset and paying tax on the gain, you gift the asset to a nonprofit organization, there is no capital gains tax to be paid, so you actually contribute 15-20% more.

Here’s an example: Over one year ago you purchased a security for $5,000 that now has a value of $7,500. Instead of selling the security and paying capital gains taxes on the $2,500 gain, you donate the security to either the Arica Institute or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation and receive a tax deduction of $7,500. Depending on your personal tax situation, the tax deduction from your contribution may also lower your tax bracket and yield significant overall tax savings. 

2. A BRIEF GUIDE TO QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS

What are Qualified Charitable Distributions?

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are funds from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that can be donated to a qualified nonprofit organization without first recognizing it as income. QCDs are also sometimes referred to as IRA Charitable Rollovers. Up to $100,000 in IRA funds can be counted as QCDs annually, or $200,000 for married couples.

Who is eligible?

If you are above the age of 70½ and have a Traditional IRA, you are eligible to make a QCD. This also applies to those who have a Defined Contribution Plan [e.g., 401(k), profit sharing, and 403(b) plans; for these plans, speak to your plan sponsor/administrator].

What are the benefits?

QCDs reduce your taxable income.

Normally, funds that are withdrawn from a Traditional IRA count toward your annual income, which will increase your overall tax burden. In some cases, this increase may also move you into a higher tax bracket.However, QCDs are an exception to this rule—funds go directly from your IRA to your chosen charitable organization without needing to be withdrawn, thereby helping you avoid higher income taxes.

QCDs satisfy Required Minimum Distributions. 

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are amounts that you must withdraw annually from your Traditional IRA once you reach a certain age. As of January 1, 2020, this age is 72.*

If you do not withdraw your RMD, you will face a penalty tax of 50% of the required withdrawal amount. QCDs can be used to meet this RMD requirement and avoid penalties.

*If you were at least 70½ years old before January 1, 2020, you are still required to take out your RMD, even if you are not yet 72. Read more about RMDs on  the IRS website. 

QCDs maximize your charitable impact.

Because QCDs do not need to be recognized as income, charitable organizations receive the full amount of the transfer tax-free. It’s a win-win situation that both supports you and the causes you care about. The foregoing information is general and educational in nature and does not take into consideration your personal circumstances or other factors that may be important in making tax and investment decisions.

Before making a donation using either of these methods, please review your own individual tax situation with your tax advisor.

Gifts that cost you nothing today.

A Gift in your Will or Trust – By designating the Arica Institute or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation as a beneficiary of your Will or Trust, you can make a lasting impact on the stability of the School’s finances while retaining the flexibility to adjust your plans as life circumstances change. You can choose to leave a specified amount of money or a percentage of your assets.

Beneficiary Designations – Gifts by beneficiary designation are among the simplest gifts to make. They do not require a visit to a lawyer, they cost you nothing now, and you can change your beneficiaries at any time. To name the Arica Institute and/or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, life insurance policies, or bank or brokerage accounts, simply request a form from your plan administrator, insurance company or financial institution.

TOHAM KUM RAH
Arica Institute Fundraising Team

About Bequests

Bequests, Endowments and Donations

The Arica Integral Philosophical Teachings (Theory, Method and Practice) are a crucial component for the Unity of humanity towards taking a responsible stand to face the problems that confront us. Uniquely in the history of schools of Enlightenment, the Arica Integral Teachings offer a complete perspective of the process and clarification of the Relative and Absolute Minds for the attainment of the Higher States of Being, Existence and Knowledge, providing the basis for an enlightened view and the School’s part in addressing the needs of Humanity-One, our only chance for survival.

The Arica Integral Teachings are a legacy that we all, as members of the Arica School, are responsible for carefully handing down across generations to come. Adding to a continually growing resource of incalculable value are the individual and group trainings and practices, together with Oscar’s recent publications.

The legacy of the School is furthered by the availability of scholarships that are being funded on an ongoing basis. All those who require scholarships to continue the Work can do so through the generosity of School members. We need to continue looking ahead to satisfy these needs.

Many of us who entered the School decades ago have grown older together. Increasingly, we have lost beloved friends and family members who, to honor the many blessings of the Arica School in their lives, remembered the School in their Last Will and Testament through the simple process of a bequest.

Contributing financially through our Will is one way we can support the ongoing development and production of the Work. Now is the time for us to make a conscious effort to make an addendum to our Wills or Trusts. Even the smallest bequest is important to ensure that the Work flourishes for the generations that follow. It can be as simple as writing into your Will, “I bequeath (an amount of money or a percentage of my estate) to Arica Institute, Inc., and/or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation.” In addition, if you are a US taxpayer, the same entities can be considered as sole or partial beneficiaries of your IRA, 401(k) or other retirement plans. US taxpayers can also consider making a gift of appreciated stock or real estate. An attorney can advise on the tax benefits for your estate. More information is posted on the Arica School website at  https://www.aricaschool.org/bequest.

If you have a larger donation to make during your life, you can set it up with terms for annual use or other stipulations like an endowment. Here is an example letter used by a member of the School to make a donation of this nature:

To: Arica Institute Board of Directors
Date:

Dear Directors,

I am writing to lay out the principles to be applied by the Board of Directors of Arica Institute, Inc. (AI) in administering [my | my fund’s] gift to the Arica Fund.

The intention in making this donation is to continue to support the activities of AI in bringing the Teachings of Integral Philosophy and the Arica Method to the world. We realize that creating and maintaining a pool of money for all the operations required to make the Arica Work available is absolutely vital, and so we would like this donation to be used as seed money to stimulate other donors to give generously.

The sum of $_______ has been sent to the Arica Fund. I ask that it be invested safely and wisely and that the maximum drawdown be limited to $_______ per year beginning 20_____. It may be used in any way that AI considers will attract more donations.

Any change in these stipulations may be made as the result of a specific unanimous decision by the Board of Directors of AI. Should AI cease to exist, any remaining monies should be transferred to The Oscar Ichazo Foundation or, if not, returned to [designated party].

AI may make use of my name [or name of organization] and the details of the donation in order to attract other donations from individual donors but should not be publicized beyond these approaches to individual larger donors.

I am very pleased to be able to make this donation and to see it used for such an important purpose.

We are One

Toham Kum Rah
[Your name]

Our heartfelt thanks to you for considering the future needs of our blessed School for the benefit of all.

TOHAM KUM RAH
Arica Institute Board of Directors

• 
  Ways to Contribute
• 
  About Bequests

Ways to Contribute

Ways to Contribute

We are grateful to all the members who have given gifts of cash to Arica, and we’d like to offer some possibilities for making those gifts go further, while providing financial benefits to the contributor.

To make a donation now, please visit  the Arica Institute store .

1. Donations of stock, mutual funds or other securities

Some of us have investments that may have appreciated significantly. If, instead of selling an asset and paying tax on the gain, you gift the asset to a nonprofit organization, there is no capital gains tax to be paid, so you actually contribute 15-20% more.

Here’s an example: Over one year ago you purchased a security for $5,000 that now has a value of $7,500. Instead of selling the security and paying capital gains taxes on the $2,500 gain, you donate the security to either the Arica Institute or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation and receive a tax deduction of $7,500. Depending on your personal tax situation, the tax deduction from your contribution may also lower your tax bracket and yield significant overall tax savings. 

2. A brief guide to Qualified Charitable Distributions

What are Qualified Charitable Distributions?

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are funds from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that can be donated to a qualified nonprofit organization without first recognizing it as income. QCDs are also sometimes referred to as IRA Charitable Rollovers. Up to $100,000 in IRA funds can be counted as QCDs annually, or $200,000 for married couples.

Who is eligible?

If you are above the age of 70½ and have a Traditional IRA, you are eligible to make a QCD. This also applies to those who have a Defined Contribution Plan [e.g., 401(k), profit sharing, and 403(b) plans; for these plans, speak to your plan sponsor/administrator].

What are the benefits?

QCDs reduce your taxable income.

Normally, funds that are withdrawn from a Traditional IRA count toward your annual income, which will increase your overall tax burden. In some cases, this increase may also move you into a higher tax bracket.However, QCDs are an exception to this rule—funds go directly from your IRA to your chosen charitable organization without needing to be withdrawn, thereby helping you avoid higher income taxes.

QCDs satisfy Required Minimum Distributions. 

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are amounts that you must withdraw annually from your Traditional IRA once you reach a certain age. As of January 1, 2020, this age is 72.*

If you do not withdraw your RMD, you will face a penalty tax of 50% of the required withdrawal amount. QCDs can be used to meet this RMD requirement and avoid penalties.

*If you were at least 70½ years old before January 1, 2020, you are still required to take out your RMD, even if you are not yet 72. Read more about RMDs on  the IRS website. 

QCDs maximize your charitable impact.

Because QCDs do not need to be recognized as income, charitable organizations receive the full amount of the transfer tax-free. It’s a win-win situation that both supports you and the causes you care about. The foregoing information is general and educational in nature and does not take into consideration your personal circumstances or other factors that may be important in making tax and investment decisions.

Before making a donation using either of these methods, please review your own individual tax situation with your tax advisor.

Gifts that cost you nothing today.

A Gift in your Will or Trust – By designating the Arica Institute or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation as a beneficiary of your Will or Trust, you can make a lasting impact on the stability of the School’s finances while retaining the flexibility to adjust your plans as life circumstances change. You can choose to leave a specified amount of money or a percentage of your assets.

Beneficiary Designations – Gifts by beneficiary designation are among the simplest gifts to make. They do not require a visit to a lawyer, they cost you nothing now, and you can change your beneficiaries at any time. To name the Arica Institute and/or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, life insurance policies, or bank or brokerage accounts, simply request a form from your plan administrator, insurance company or financial institution.

TOHAM KUM RAH
Arica Institute Fundraising Team

About Bequests

Bequests, Endowments and Donations

The Arica Integral Philosophical Teachings (Theory, Method and Practice) are a crucial component for the Unity of humanity towards taking a responsible stand to face the problems that confront us. Uniquely in the history of schools of Enlightenment, the Arica Integral Teachings offer a complete perspective of the process and clarification of the Relative and Absolute Minds for the attainment of the Higher States of Being, Existence and Knowledge, providing the basis for an enlightened view and the School’s part in addressing the needs of Humanity-One, our only chance for survival.

The Arica Integral Teachings are a legacy that we all, as members of the Arica School, are responsible for carefully handing down across generations to come. Adding to a continually growing resource of incalculable value are the individual and group trainings and practices, together with Oscar’s recent publications.

The legacy of the School is furthered by the availability of scholarships that are being funded on an ongoing basis. All those who require scholarships to continue the Work can do so through the generosity of School members. We need to continue looking ahead to satisfy these needs.

Many of us who entered the School decades ago have grown older together. Increasingly, we have lost beloved friends and family members who, to honor the many blessings of the Arica School in their lives, remembered the School in their Last Will and Testament through the simple process of a bequest.

Contributing financially through our Will is one way we can support the ongoing development and production of the Work. Now is the time for us to make a conscious effort to make an addendum to our Wills or Trusts. Even the smallest bequest is important to ensure that the Work flourishes for the generations that follow. It can be as simple as writing into your Will, “I bequeath (an amount of money or a percentage of my estate) to Arica Institute, Inc., and/or The Oscar Ichazo Foundation.” In addition, if you are a US taxpayer, the same entities can be considered as sole or partial beneficiaries of your IRA, 401(k) or other retirement plans. US taxpayers can also consider making a gift of appreciated stock or real estate. An attorney can advise on the tax benefits for your estate. More information is posted on the Arica School website at  https://www.aricaschool.org/bequest.

If you have a larger donation to make during your life, you can set it up with terms for annual use or other stipulations like an endowment. Here is an example letter used by a member of the School to make a donation of this nature:

To: Arica Institute Board of Directors
Date:

Dear Directors,

I am writing to lay out the principles to be applied by the Board of Directors of Arica Institute, Inc. (AI) in administering [my | my fund’s] gift to the Arica Fund.

The intention in making this donation is to continue to support the activities of AI in bringing the Teachings of Integral Philosophy and the Arica Method to the world. We realize that creating and maintaining a pool of money for all the operations required to make the Arica Work available is absolutely vital, and so we would like this donation to be used as seed money to stimulate other donors to give generously.

The sum of $_______ has been sent to the Arica Fund. I ask that it be invested safely and wisely and that the maximum drawdown be limited to $_______ per year beginning 20_____. It may be used in any way that AI considers will attract more donations.

Any change in these stipulations may be made as the result of a specific unanimous decision by the Board of Directors of AI. Should AI cease to exist, any remaining monies should be transferred to The Oscar Ichazo Foundation or, if not, returned to [designated party].

AI may make use of my name [or name of organization] and the details of the donation in order to attract other donations from individual donors but should not be publicized beyond these approaches to individual larger donors.

I am very pleased to be able to make this donation and to see it used for such an important purpose.

We are One

Toham Kum Rah
[Your name]

Our heartfelt thanks to you for considering the future needs of our blessed School for the benefit of all.

TOHAM KUM RAH
Arica Institute Board of Directors