Health Care Philanthropy: The majority of named health care centers are named for enormous gifts. They are not typically owned by the person being commemorated, and in fact, the original donor is often deceased. Many times, the gifts are pledged multi-year or planned estate gifts.
The broad majority of hospitals make 1-3% "income" and must illustrate a community benefit.
Charity is a gift with no return:
Charity comes in many forms. In the popular book,
The Seven Faces of Philanthropy seven archetypical donor types are discussed: The Communitarian, The Devout, The Investor, The Socialite, The Repayer, The Altruist, the Dynast.
A Charitable Gift Annuity, Charitable Remainder Trust, Life Estate or a Charitable Remainder Unitrust have donor benefits but are charity. Currently, a direct disbursement from a qualifying IRA to a 501 c 3 can be made without tax for gifts up to $100,000. That could be a federal tax savings benefit of 28% plus no 10% penalty. Meanwhile, the donor gets the deduction up to $100,000 and avoids paying tax on that income,
ever. That's clearly something in return. Some donors get special tours, special ceremonies, and special commemoration within an organization.
However, in accordance with IRS pub 1771, a donor must be given a written disclosure when they have received goods or services in exchange for a single payment in excess of $75.00. So, the IRS likes to know what those various benefits are, when tangible.
Or something.
