Gifts That Make an Impact Now

Complimentary planning resources are just a click away

Learn more about gifts that make an impact now with our free guides →

If you would like to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Soldiers and their loved ones today, consider the giving options below — many of which have financial and personal benefits to you.

Types of Gifts

Recommend a Grant Now From Your Donor-Advised Fund

You can now initiate a grant recommendation from your donor-advised fund, or DAF, using the link below. Simply start typing in your fund provider name and the system will prompt you through the process.

Or, if you would like to learn about the benefits of donor-advised funds and the creative ways you can use them, visit our Donor-Advised Funds page.

Memorial or Tribute Gift

When you give a memorial or tribute gift to Army Emergency Relief to honor someone special, you’re expressing your love, admiration, and gratitude in one of the most meaningful ways there is. Your gift will honor your loved one, create a lasting tribute, and provide a lifeline to Soldiers in their time of need.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

You can use stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that have appreciated in value to support our shared vision. You may receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full market value of the security (up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income) and avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the value of the security.

Matching Gift Opportunities

Would you like to maximize the impact of your giving and encourage other supporters to mobilize on behalf Soldiers and their families? Consider sponsoring a matching gift challenge. Donate a pool of funds to Army Emergency Relief, from which we will match any donation made within a given period of time. In this way, you can double the impact of your giving.

Qualified Charitable Distribution

You can transfer funds from your IRA directly to Army Emergency Relief. This is an effective way to have an immediate impact and ensure our work of providing financial assistance to active and retired Soldiers and their loved ones. Here’s how it works:

  • You must be 70 ½ or older.
  • An individual may transfer up to a total of $100,000 per year and a married couple may give up to $200,000.
  • An individual may take a one-time QCD up to $50,000 to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) or charitable remainder trust (CRT).
  • Your gift must be transferred directly from the IRA account to AER.
  • Your gift is a transfer of funds from your IRA to AER so it does not create taxable income for you and is not considered a charitable tax deduction.
  • If you are 73 and older, the transfer of funds counts towards your annual Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA.

If you’re interested in this popular way to support Army Emergency Relief, download a sample letter for your IRA administrator here.

The Impact of Your Giving

agsdix-null

$1,000 could provide critical support for an Army Wounded Warrior

through an AER Wounded Warrior Comfort Grant, which offers immediate financial assistance to medically-evacuated Soldiers.

agsdix-null

$10,000 could provide a scholarship

for a Soldier's child like Katti, whose AER scholarship allowed her to attend Dallas Baptist University and study Early Childhood Education.

agsdix-null

$25,000 could provide lifesaving relief support during a natural disaster.

A gift of this size could fund the costs of helping Soldiers prepare for and evacuate from their homes when a hurricane, earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster is expected to strike.