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Gift PlanningGrain, Livestock, or Machinery

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Grain, Livestock, or Machinery 

Farmers and ranchers have so much invested in the future of their operations. When it comes time to support the causes they care about, it may make sense to donate gifts of grain and/or livestock before the sale. Gifts of grain and livestock can be incredibly powerful gifts at South Dakota State. 

When you’re taking a truck full of soybeans to the elevator or a pot load of cattle to the sale barn, gifting a portion to the SDSU Alumni & Foundation before the sale is far better than writing a check, as the income is not realized to the farmer, allowing for a better tax situation. 

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close up view of wheat growing at SDSU
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Hello, Jackrabbits! This is Ned with the SDSU Alumni & Foundation's Office of Gift Planning. Did you know farmers can make a meaningful impact while also receiving potential tax benefits by donating grain directly to SDSU? Instead of selling your grain and donating the cash, you transfer ownership of the grain to the SDSU Alumni & Foundation. Simply contact your local elevator and notify them with the number of bushels you'd like to donate. The grain is then sold by the SDSU Alumni & Foundation, with the proceeds going directly toward the areas you'd like to support on campus. By making the donation before the grain is sold, you may be able to avoid recognizing the sale as income. A gift of grain is a powerful way to maximize your yields while giving to current and future Jackrabbits at South Dakota State University. Call us at 605-697-7475. And as always, Go Jacks!

DID YOU KNOW?

A giving strategy that has grown in popularity is the creation of a charitable trust to provide a farmer’s family with a steady stream of income through retirement by utilizing tangible personal property.  

By gifting grain, livestock, machinery, and/or farm and ranch land to a charitable trust, farmers and ranchers can take care of themselves in retirement, all while building an extraordinary charitable legacy at SDSU and other charities they choose to support. 

Featured Story

Heller's Farm Machinery Yields

Roger Heller’s thoughtful gift of farm equipment supports future SDSU agriculture students while providing for his family, reflecting his lifelong dedication to developing the next generation of leaders in rural America.

Read Story

Questions?Connect with Us

Ned Gavlick and Sara Schneider from our Office of Gift Planning are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way. 

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What other assets can I give?

You are advised to seek your own legal and tax advice in connection with charitable gift planning matters. The SDSU Alumni & Foundation does not provide legal, financial, nor tax advice. This communication is not intended or written to be used for the purpose of avoiding tax-related penalties.