Qualified Charitable Distributions
Qualified Charitable Distributions are tax-effective gift options
If you’re 70.5 years old or older and looking for a tax-efficient way to support climate advocacy, you might consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) as part of your IRA withdrawal strategy. A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA to a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) organization, such as Citizens’ Climate Education. Note that QCDs cannot be made to Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a 501(c)(4) organization. The key benefit is that QCDs are not subject to income taxes, allowing you to maximize both your charitable impact and tax savings. Additionally, QCDs count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), which starts at age 73. Your RMD is the amount you must withdraw from your IRA by the December 31st deadline to avoid facing a 50% tax penalty.
Getting started
Making a QCD is more straightforward than you might think! Contact your IRA’s custodian (where your IRA is held) to let them know you are interested in making a QCD, or look for a QCD form on your IRA custodians’ website. You can make the request in writing, over the phone, or through an online form provided by your IRA custodian. They will also ask for information on our organization, which can be found below. *As every financial situation is different, we recommend seeking advice from a financial advisor or professional about the implications of your gift.
Organizational Information
Legal Name: Citizens’ Climate Education Corp Tax ID Number: 26-2948811 Address: 1330 Orange Avenue #309, Coronado, CA 92118 Email: Phone: (619) 437-7142
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact if I have questions or need more info?
Reach out to our Development Team at or call our home office at (619) 437-7142.
I’ve already made a QCD gift to Citizens’ Climate Education. Where can I get a copy of my tax acknowledgement letter?
Thank you so much for your support! Please reach out to our Development Team at or call our home office at (619) 437-7142, and we’d be happy to help.
Where can I learn more about QCDs?
We recommend seeking advice from a financial advisor or tax professional who can provide you with information about QCDs, as well as context for your unique financial situation. You might also find more information on the IRS’ website.
How do I request a QCD for Citizens’ Climate Education?
Thank you for considering a QCD for Citizens’ Climate Education! To get started: contact your IRA’s custodian (where your IRA is held) to let them know you are interested in making a QCD, or look for QCD forms on your IRA custodians’ website. You will make the request for a QCD in writing, over the phone, or through an online form provided by your IRA custodian. At that time, you can specify the dollar amount you wish to contribute to 501(c)(3) Citizens’ Climate Education. Note that in order for the distribution to count as a QCD and not as taxable income, your IRA custodian will issue payment directly to Citizens’ Climate Education (not made payable to you).
Prefer to make a one-time or monthly donation? Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) and Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) are sister organizations that complement each other in strategically building political will for impactful climate solutions. CCL is a non-profit, grassroots advocacy 501(c)(4) organization; contributions are not tax-deductible. CCE is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt non-profit organization. Contributions are tax- deductible to the extent allowed by U.S. law.
