Your contributions empower BCFA’s global dialogue and educational mission. Every donation counts.
Maximize your impact by donating appreciated securities for tax benefits.
Contribute with Qualified Charitable Distributions for a secure donation experience.
Make impactful donations using your donor-advised fund.
Contribute through retirement accounts for long-lasting support.
Leave a lasting impact through legacy gifts and bequests to support future generations.
Donating stocks, bonds, or Treasury Notes can give you a three-way benefit:
If you have questions, consult your financial advisor. Contact Shirell Wright at the Council’s office at (410) 727-2150 or swright@bcfausa.org for more information.
A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows individuals who are 70½ years old or older to donate up to $105,000 in total to one or more charities directly from a regular taxable IRA instead of taking their required minimum distributions (RMD). The increase in income from taking the RMD directly could potentially put you into a higher income tax bracket. It could also trigger which limitations or elimination of some kinds of tax deductions, such as personal exemption and itemized deductions, and sometimes trigger high taxes on Social Security income.
The money is a direct transfer to the charity that never passes through the hands of the IRA holder. Instead, the IRA custodian can either send an electronic transfer of funds or a check directly to the charity. The $105,000 per person limit applies to the sum of all QCDs taken from all IRAs in a year. A you can make one large contribution or several smaller contributions over the course of the calendar year.
If you have any questions about whether this is a good avenue for your donation, contact your Financial Advisor.
The Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs is a Qualified Charity. The EIN is 52-1171381.
Contact Shirell Wright at (410) 727-2150 or swright@bcfausa.org for assistance in making a crypto donation.
If you have a Donor Advised Fund, as you know, you’ve already received the tax deduction advantage. However, the fund’s custodian is restricted to disbursing funds only to qualified charitable organizations.
The Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs is a Qualified Charitable Organization, federal tax ID 52-1171381. Contact Shirell Wright at (410) 727-2150 or swright@bcfausa.org for details.
Donating retirement assets such as 401k assets or life insurance may be a good choice depending on your situation. Check with your Financial Advisor to determine if this is tax efficient for you.
Contact Shirell Wright at (410) 727-2150 or swright@bcfausa.org to discuss specifics and asset types we accept.
Legacy gifts and bequests allow you to make a lasting contribution that supports future generations. The language you use in a Will or Trust that establishes your gift to charities, including the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs, Inc. (including its lawful successors), depends on your unique circumstances and charitable objectives.
Contact Shirell Wright at (410) 727-2150 or swright@bcfausa.org to discuss legacy contributions and how they can make a meaningful impact.
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.