Donate to Lions
Donating to The Reston Lions Club Goes A long Way to Help Serve the Community!
Help us support local charities through your generous donations.
Donating to the Reston Lions Club offers a multitude of benefits, not just for the community but also for the donors themselves. As a nonprofit organization, the Reston Lions Club relies heavily on donations to support its charitable activities, which have a direct and positive impact on the local community.
One of the key benefits of donating to the Reston Lions Club is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need. The club’s charitable efforts span a wide range of causes, including sight conservation, providing eyeglasses and eye surgeries to those who cannot afford them, supporting local schools and youth programs, aiding seniors and the disabled, and responding to natural disasters. By donating, individuals can contribute to these important causes and help improve the lives of others in their community.
In addition to the satisfaction of making a difference, donating to the Reston Lions Club can also have personal benefits for donors. Giving to charity has been shown to improve overall well-being and happiness. Knowing that their donation is making a positive impact can give donors a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Furthermore, donating to the Reston Lions Club can also have practical benefits. Donations to nonprofit organizations like the Lions Club are typically tax-deductible, meaning that donors can reduce their taxable income by the amount of their donation. This can result in significant tax savings for donors, especially for larger donations.
Donating to the Reston Lions Club can also provide donors with opportunities for networking and socializing. The club regularly holds events and fundraisers where donors can meet other like-minded individuals and community leaders. This can lead to new friendships and business connections, as well as a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
Overall, donating to the Reston Lions Club is a rewarding experience that offers a wide range of benefits. From making a positive impact in the community to improving personal well-being and social connections, donating to the Reston Lions Club is a meaningful way to give back and support important causes.
The following analysis should not be considered as tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for the approach that is suitable for your circumstances.
About Donating
Donations enable Reston Lions Charities, Inc. to assist members of our community through other organizations that deal directly with individuals who have Vision, Hunger, Hearing, Diabetes, or Childhood Cancer needs. Your support makes a difference in their lives and makes our communities stronger.
Online donations (click on the button below) or checks in any amount from individuals, businesses, or groups are greatly appreciated. We are a tax exempt 501c(3) organization and donations to Reston Lions Charities, Inc. are tax deductible.
Checks may be mailed to:
Reston Lions Charities, Inc..
11902 Winstead Lane
Reston, VA 20194
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)*
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity, like FISH. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, as long as certain rules are met.
In addition to the benefits of giving to a charity, a QCD excludes the amount donated from taxable income, which is unlike regular withdrawals from an IRA. The effect on one’s tax liability is essentially the same as what results from itemizing the charitable deduction.
Keeping your taxable income lower also may have other beneficial tax effects related to taxation of Social Security income and phasing out of certain other tax-saving provisions.
Charitable Giving & the New Tax Laws
However, for people who are over age 70 1/2 and have a Required Minimum Distribution to be paid from their IRAs or other taxable retirement account, there is a way to give to charities and reduce their tax liability even if they do not itemize deductions; they may also put themselves in a lower tax bracket as well (and, as a result, realize other tax benefits). This is done using what is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution.
How do I know if I can make a QCD to Reston Lions Charities?
While many IRAs are eligible for QCDs, there are requirements:
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You must be 70½ or older to be eligible to make a QCD.
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The maximum annual amount that can qualify for a QCD is $100,000. This applies to the sum of QCDs made to one or more charities in a calendar year. (If, however, you file taxes jointly, your spouse can also make a QCD from his or her own IRA within the same tax year for up to $100,000.)
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For a QCD to count towards your current year’s RMD, the funds must come out of your IRA by your RMD deadline, generally December 31.
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QCDs are limited to the amount that would otherwise be taxed as ordinary income. This excludes non-deductible contributions.
Funds distributed directly to you, the IRA owner, and which you then give to charity do not qualify as a QCD.
Consult a tax advisor to determine if making a QCD from your IRA is appropriate for your situation.
*Much of the information supplied here is based on an analysis by Fidelity FMR LLC (found HERE).
We Are Passionate About Serving Our Community!
Where Funding Goes in the Community
Lions Mobile Sight & Hearing Screening Van.
Hearing Aid Foundation.
Hearing restoration research at UVA.
Eye Clinic at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Fund vision restoration research at John Hopkins and others research hospitals.
Northern Virginia Lions Youth Camp near the Shenandoah River.
Eye exams, glasses, hearing aids for individuals who cannot afford them.
Food donations to local food pantries.
Diabetes Awareness training.
Buy diabetic supplies for people who cannot afford them.
Lions of Virginia Foundation (disaster relief, special needs equipment).
Leader Dogs for the Blind and Canine Companions for Independence.
Support for the state Eye Bank and promotion of eye donations for transplant and research.
Support Literacy by purchasing and distributing books.
Lions Clubs International Foundation (disaster relief; vision research; measles eradication; vision problem prevention through clean water, and good nutrition; build hospitals and clinics).
Support Medical Missions to impoverished areas in the US and the world.
For more information go to our website at www.restonlionsclub.org.
100% of the net funds collected from the public go back to the public!
Serving Our Community
Conduct and participate in various Health Fairs in the Reston/Herndon area, screening people for vision and hearing problems and other medical conditions.
Provide eye exams and eye glasses for people who cannot afford them
Provide hearing exams and hearing aids for people who cannot afford them.
Collect and Recycle eyeglasses.
Support Youth Groups (Leos, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout projects, etc.) in Herndon and Reston.
Sponsor a local and state-wide music competition for high school students to earn scholarships.
Supported and taught English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
Sponsor blind and deaf children to attend summer camps in Maryland and Virginia.
Support Special Olympics events and provide vision screening.
Semi-annual road clean-up and other environment projects.
Winter Coat Collection for the Crossroads Coat Closet.
Participate in other service projects and fundraisers throughout 14 counties in northern Virginia.
Fundraiser Citrus Sale in early December in Reston.
Annual Holiday Party for members.
Annual Dinner for Installation of Officers.
Monthly general meeting, usually with a speaker on a topic that affects what we do in Reston.
Monthly board meeting, where we spend the funds collected and get status reports on upcoming projects.