A gift of appreciated stock is a powerful and tax-smart way to support Detroit Opera’s artistic and community work. By transferring shares that have grown in value since you purchased or received them, you may be eligible to receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full current market value of the stock while avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation.

This approach allows you to make a larger contribution than you might with cash alone, while potentially reducing your overall tax burden. Your gift of stock not only sustains Detroit Opera’s performances and education programs—it helps ensure that opera continues to thrive as a vibrant part of our city’s cultural life.

To make a gift of stock, please use the form below or contact Angela Nelson-Heesch, Director, Data Analytics & Operations at anelsonheesch@detroitopera.org for assistance.

Click here for Stock Transfer Instructions.

When you make a contribution to Detroit Opera directly from your IRA, you express your love for opera and dance while making a tax-smart gift that can also count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD).

The IRA Charitable Rollover—also known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)—remains a permanent provision of federal tax law. This allows you to transfer funds directly from your IRA to Detroit Opera without paying income tax on the amount transferred, while the contribution is excluded from your taxable income.

While you will not receive a separate charitable deduction for this gift, the QCD provides an equivalent tax benefit by reducing your taxable income.

Key Requirements (as of 2025)

• • You must be age 70½ or older at the time of the gift.
  • The transfer must be made directly from your IRA to Detroit Opera (an eligible 501(c)(3) charitable organization).
  • You may give up to $105,000 per individual per year (the limit was increased from $100,000 and is now indexed for inflation).
  • The gift must be outright—it cannot fund a charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, or pooled income fund.
  • QCDs cannot be made to a donor-advised fund, supporting organization, or private foundation.
  • The gift must come from an IRA—not from a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan.
  • SEP and SIMPLE IRAs are eligible only if they are inactive (i.e., no employer contributions in the same year).
  • Detroit Opera’s Tax ID number is 38-2052726.

When a QCD Might Be Right for You

• • Your IRA represents a significant portion of your assets, and you wish to make a charitable gift from those funds.
  • You must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) but do not need the income.
  • You do not itemize deductions and want to reduce your taxable income through a tax-efficient gift.
  • You live in a state where retirement-plan distributions are taxable, but state law doesn’t allow a charitable deduction.
  • You want to make additional charitable gifts even though you’ve reached the 60% of AGI deduction limit—the QCD is excluded from income and doesn’t count toward that limit.
  • You’d like to fulfill an existing pledge without triggering self-dealing concerns.

How to Make a Gift
1. Contact your IRA administrator and request a direct Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to Detroit Opera.
2. Notify our Development Office so we can ensure your gift is properly credited and acknowledged.
3. For assistance or transfer instructions, please contact: Angela Nelson-Heesch Director, Director, Data Analytics & Operations at anelsonheesch@detroitopera.org

Honor or memorialize someone special with a tribute donation to Detroit Opera.

If you know someone who loves opera or dance, a donation to support Detroit Opera in their honor can be a perfect gift! We often receive gifts in memory of loved ones, honoring birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, or even just to thank a friend. When you make a tribute donation, we will send you a receipt for your tax-deductible gift and send an acknowledgment to the person/people you choose to honor. Gifts may be of any size and those of $100 or more will be listed in the Detroit Opera program book.

Click here to make a tribute gift online.

For assistance or for more information, contact:
Valentino Peacock, Manager of Data and Operations
313.237-3402 | vpeacock@detroitopera.org