Cash

Some of the most common ways to make a gift to Washington National Cathedral are to write a check, make a gift using a credit card, or donate online.

A gift of cash could be right for you if:

You want the easiest way to donate to the Cathedral.
You want the largest possible income tax charitable deduction for your gift.
You would like to make the gift to the Cathedral that has the greatest immediate impact.

How It Works

You make a gift of cash directly to the Cathedral and you receive an immediate income tax charitable deduction.

Find the best gift for you

How Your Gift Helps

Your planned gift to Washington National Cathedral helps us continue to be a house of prayer for all people. Among many things, your support will help us:

be a trusted voice of moral leadership and a scared space;

serve as a gathering place for the nation during moments of shared significance;

strive to serve God and our neighbors as agents of reconciliation.

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What is an outright gift of cash?

An outright gift of cash is when you transfer funds to Washington National Cathedral and get nothing of financial value in return. The most common way for donors to make an outright gift is to write a check payable to Washington National Cathedral.

Gift provides immediate support

Unlike some other gift arrangements, your outright gift will provide resources that the Cathedral can put to immediate use. If you prefer to restrict our use of your gift in any way, please contact us so that we can be sure that we can carry out your wishes.

Maximum tax savings

You may deduct the full amount of your donation up to 60% of your adjusted gross income, after your total itemized deductions for the year exceed 0.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income. If you cannot deduct the full value of your contribution, you may carry forward your unused charitable deductions for up to five additional years.

Ways to give cash

Most donors make an outright gift by writing a check payable to Washington National Cathedral and mailing it to us. You may also make a cash gift using your credit card.

Example

Claudia Fernandez would like to make an immediate $15,000 gift to Washington National Cathedral. Claudia could write a check for this amount and earn a charitable deduction equal to $15,000. Alternatively, Claudia could make a gift using her credit card by calling us on the phone, responding to a mailing, or by donating online through our website. Gifts of checks and gifts made via credit cards are considered cash gifts.

Benefits

Claudia may deduct up to 60% of her adjusted gross income for her gift of cash, providing tax savings if she itemizes.
If Claudia itemizes deductions but cannot use the entire deduction in the year of gift, she may carry the balance forward for up to five additional years.
Assuming Claudia itemizes deductions and can use her entire income tax charitable deduction of $15,000, she will save her $5,250 (35% tax).
Claudia will gain the satisfaction of making a $15,000 gift to the Cathedral.