United States Capitol Historical Society

Enhance your impact while enjoying potential tax benefits with a Qualified Charitable Distribution. By directly donating funds from your IRA to a qualified charitable organization, like USCHS, you can make a meaningful difference in supporting our work.

A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is when you directly donate money from your IRA to a qualified charitable organization, excluding SEP or SIMPLE IRAs. If you itemize deductions, donating appreciated non-cash assets like securities and mutual funds held for more than a year can provide extra tax benefits compared to cash donations. Besides claiming a deduction for the asset’s fair market value, you may also avoid capital gains tax that would apply if you sold the asset and donated the cash. This means more money goes to the U.S. Capitol Historical Society (USCHS) and less to taxes.

When donating securities and mutual funds held for the long term, you can deduct up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. For those held for the short term, you can deduct up to 50% of your adjusted gross income, but the deduction is limited to the asset’s cost basis or current fair market value, whichever is lower. QCDs are available to IRA owners aged 70 1/2 or older. QCDs made before the age when you’re required to take minimum distributions from your retirement assets (pre-Required Minimum Distribution QCDs) won’t affect your future required minimum distributions. For specific details, consult your tax advisor.

Many individuals who must withdraw money from their IRA but don’t need it for living expenses choose to make QCDs to support the work of the USCHS. It might be a sensible choice for you too!

You can donate securities and mutual funds to the USCHS in two ways: through an electronic transfer where your broker uses the USCHS DTC number, or by physically mailing the paper certificates to the USCHS. In either case, you’ll need to contact your broker to initiate the transfer. The USCHS appreciates your gift of stock or IRA donation. To get in touch, please email Membership@USCHS.org or call 202-543-8919 ext 23.

Want to Support Civic Education?

We believe that every student deserves an education about our nation’s history, that inspires them to be the best citizens they can be, no matter their background. Our “We the People” Constitution Tours™ provide immersive educational experiences for eighth-grade students from D.C. Title I schools, ensuring that students from historically underserved communities can explore the foundations of our democracy firsthand. During the program, students visit important sites related to the Constitution including the George Mason Memorial, the National Archives, the U.S. Capitol Building, and The People’s House: A White House Experience. As the cost of providing these tours continues to rise, your donation will help cover essential expenses, including transportation, lunches, knowledgeable tour guides, and educational materials.

  • A $111 donation covers all expenses for one student, covering all costs associated with the tour.
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  • $325 provides lunches for 25 students during their trip, ensuring they stay energized and engaged.
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  • A donation of $3,880 will sponsor an entire trip for one class.

“We the People,” speaks to the freedoms and responsibilities inherent in the Constitution of the United States of America. For Jim and me, it has been of the greatest importance that all citizens have an understanding of the democratic process and rule of law in order to be active participants in the form of self-governance laid out by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I believe that my support in Jim’s name of the “We the People” tours is essential for the future of our country.

– Mrs. Penny Morrill on why she supports the “We the People” Constitution Tours

Support Civic Education in 2025

Join us in our mission to educate, inspire, and encourage informed civic participation. By becoming an annual member, your support funds vital programs such as the ‘We the People’ Constitution Tour for DC students, free resources and lesson plans for teachers, and our series engaging virtual and in-person public history events. Together, we will preserve Congress’s history and empower citizens to influence the future of our democracy.

Join Today!

Help preserve and share the history of democracy with a year-end donation! Join as a member today and enjoy unique benefits—all while contributing to our mission of preserving history and promoting civic education.

Donations received by midnight tonight or checks postmarked on or before December 31, 2024, will be applied to the 2024 tax year.