There are many ways to support Sadler Health Center and help sustain access to care for our community. Whether you are considering a gift today or planning a gift for the future, charitable giving can be a meaningful way to support Sadler’s mission and make a lasting difference.
The following article, prepared by Terence J. Barna, Esquire, of Latsha Davis & Marshall P.C., provides an overview of charitable giving options and considerations for individuals interested in supporting community-based health care.
Charitable Giving
Charitable giving provides a powerful tool to translate personal values into lasting, community-wide impact – especially when directed toward community-based health care providers such as Sadler Health Center. Health care providers focused on the communities they serve deliver comprehensive, affordable primary and preventive care to underserved populations, regardless of ability to pay. Thoughtful philanthropy – with lifetime gifting or through estate planning – helps to ensure these essential providers can meet growing community needs for years to come while increasing the donor’s happiness, providing a sense of purpose and reducing stress by actively helping others.
Testamentary giving, typically structured through wills or revocable trusts, lets individuals make meaningful contributions without compromising current financial security, leaving a legacy aligned with the donor’s commitment to equitable health care access. Bequests may take the form of a specific dollar amount, a percentage of the estate or the remainder after other obligations are satisfied. Testamentary gifts can fund facility expansions, advance clinical programs and strengthen financial reserves. Donors may also receive various financial benefits, including estate tax reductions; charitable gifts can decrease the size of a person’s taxable estate and potentially reduce Pennsylvania inheritance taxes and federal estate tax liability.
Lifetime giving offers immediacy and tangible impact. Outright gifts are straightforward and can be restricted or unrestricted. Restricted gifts can be temporary, to be used for a specific program within a certain timeframe, or permanent, such as an endowment fund. Donors support initiatives they choose – pediatrics, behavioral health services or community outreach, for example – and accelerate growth in those areas. Unrestricted gifts provide flexibility, enabling community-based health care providers to address ongoing operational needs, support health care workers and expand patient services. Both forms are valuable. Moreover, the IRS recognizes Sadler Health Center as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, so donors may also receive charitable income tax deductions for qualifying contributions in the year of the gift.
For donors seeking a strategic blend of philanthropy and financial planning, charitable trusts offer useful options. Charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities can provide income to the donor during life and ultimately benefit the charitable organization, often delivering upfront income tax deductions and potential relief from immediate capital gains tax when contributing appreciated assets. Charitable lead trusts, by contrast, provide income to a charity for a defined period before assets pass to designated charitable or non-charitable beneficiaries, frequently reducing gift and estate tax exposure. Donor-advised funds permit donors to establish and fund an account with a sponsor, such as a community foundation, and recommend grants from the fund to IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charities. These tools can offer substantial financial efficiencies for donors with more complex wealth while ensuring sustained support for high-quality health care.
Beyond financial considerations, charitable giving is an opportunity to make a significant difference in the community. Safety-net providers such as Sadler Health Center improve access to health care, help manage chronic conditions and reduce health disparities in vulnerable populations. Donating to public charities sets a positive example for family and friends, thereby nurturing a community environment where giving to others is a core shared value rather than an obligation. By supporting community-minded health care organizations through lifetime and testamentary giving, donors can gain worthwhile personal advantages and help to ensure that high-quality, accessible health care remains available to those who need it the most – strengthening communities and promoting public health for generations to come.
Interested in Supporting Sadler?
If you would like to learn more about charitable giving or ways to support Sadler Health Center, contact the Development Department: development@sadlerhealth.org or 717-218-6670.
DISCLAIMER: Sadler Health Center provides this material for informational purposes only. The material provided herein is general and is not intended to be legal advice. Nothing herein should be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances, possible changes to applicable laws, rules and regulations and other legal issues. Receipt of this material does not establish a fiduciary relationship.