Turn your retirement savings into joy for pets and the people who love them, tax-free!
If you’re 70½ years of age or older, you can strategically give directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to Joybound People & Pets. This is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (or QCD). The funds go straight to Joybound from your IRA, so you never pay income tax on the gift.
For donors 73 years of age or older, your gift from an IRA can also count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), the amount you must withdraw from your IRA each year. As of 2026, you can give up to $111,000 per year, and your gift starts helping right away.
Giving Through Your IRA
Because of you pets receive medical care, behavior support, and a path to a loving home. Plus, families in need get the help they need to stay united with their furry friends. IRA giving is a tax-smart strategy that strengthens the bond between people and pets, and ripples joy throughout our whole community.
Why Give Through Your IRA?
- Keep More of What You’ve Earned: Your gift isn’t counted as taxable income, so you can give generously and reduce your tax bill.
- Meet Your RMD with Purpose: If you’re 73 years old or older, your QCD can count toward your yearly requirement.
- Make an Immediate Difference: Your gift gets to work right away, helping dogs and cats find loving homes and helping families stay together with the pets they adore.
- Give Simply: You don’t need to itemize your taxes to benefit.
Please note: a QCD doesn’t qualify for a charitable income tax deduction, because the gift is already tax-free.
How to Make an IRA Gift
Simply ask your IRA provider (also called your custodian) to send a specific dollar amount directly to Joybound. Your provider can send your gift by check or electronic transfer. Because the gift must go straight from your IRA to Joybound, you can’t withdraw the funds yourself.
Here is the information that your IRA provider will need:
- Name: Joybound People & Pets
- Federal Tax ID (EIN): 68-0240341
- Mailing Address: 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
- Purpose (optional): e.g., “Where needed most” or a specific program name
If possible, please let Joybound know your gift is on its way so we can process it accurately and thank you promptly.
Giving This Year? Mark Your Calendar
To count toward this year’s RMD, your IRA gift must be completed on or before December 31. The date of your gift is the day Joybound receives the funds, not the day a check is mailed. If your provider is sending a check, please start early so it clears before the year ends.
Questions?
Whether you’re ready to make your IRA gift, have questions about how a Qualified Charitable Distribution works, or just want a hand along the way, we’d love to talk with you about your giving goals, in confidence and with no obligation. Please contact Rand Montoya, Joybound’s Associate Director of Legacy Giving, at [email protected].
Dreaming bigger? Want to fund a specific Joybound program or area of need, explore naming and recognition opportunities, or shape your long-term vision for your philanthropy? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Andrea Bell, Senior Director of Philanthropy, at [email protected].
IRA Giving FAQs
What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
A Qualified Charitable Distribution is a transfer of funds directly from an IRA to a qualified charitable organization such as Joybound People & Pets. For eligible donors, these gifts may be excluded from taxable income
Who can make an IRA gift?
Individuals age 70½ or older can generally make Qualified Charitable Distributions from eligible IRAs.
Can I name Joybound as a beneficiary of my IRA?
Yes, you can name Joybound as a beneficiary of your IRA and we’d be honored. Please contact Rand Montoya at [email protected] to learn how.
Can my IRA gift count toward my required minimum distribution?
Yes. For donors who are required to take annual distributions, a QCD may count toward satisfying all or part of their Required Minimum Distribution. We encourage you to consult your financial or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
Is my IRA gift tax-deductible?
No. A Qualified Charitable Distribution is not deductible, as the gift is already tax-free. The gift is not counted as income, which is where your tax savings come from.
Donation FAQs
How can I make a donation?
It’s easy to make a secure online donation.
To donate by mail, please send checks to Joybound People & Pets, 2890 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek, CA, 94598.
How will my donation be spent?
We know you have many choices when it comes to charitable gifts. We are a proud recipient of Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency.
General Joybound FAQs
Where is Joybound located?
Joybound’s national headquarters and primary adoption center are located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, in Walnut Creek, California.
The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center is located at 1950 Market Street, Suite I, in Concord, California.
What kind of shelter or rescue is Joybound?
Joybound People & Pets (formerly the Animal Rescue Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization founded in 1991 to rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded municipal shelters and strengthen the human-animal bond for children, seniors, Veterans, and people in need. Read about our unique dual mission and origin story.
Our team is committed to finding homes for all healthy and treatable dogs and cats in our care. Animals with treatable medical or behavioral conditions are evaluated and cared for prior to rehoming them. Learn more about these classifications by reviewing Maddie’s Fund’s Health & Behavior Categories for Shelter Animals. Potential adopters are provided with all health and behavior history during their time at Joybound.
Can I surrender an animal to Joybound?
We rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded or under-resourced municipal shelters. We do not accept surrenders from the public. If you feel unable to continue caring for your pet, please contact our Resource Center or read about rehoming a pet.
If you adopted from Joybound, our team is here to support you through the difficult decision to return your companion. Please read our adoption return policy.
How is Joybound funded?
We are a non-profit organization funded by private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Our complete financial information is available here. Joybound is a registered charity in all 50 states.
Does Joybound offer programs for children?
From birthday parties to animal-themed camps, we have a wide variety of programs to help nurture the next generation of animal-lovers.
Does Joybound offer advice on caring for a pet?
The Pet Care and Behavior Library is filled with helpful information on pet care, solutions for common behavior challenges, training tips, and more.
If you do not see a certain topic covered, please contact the Resource Center for guidance.
Does Joybound offer veterinary services?
Animals in our adoption program are given veterinary care at our state-of-the-art clinic, but we do not provide primary veterinary services to the public.
Limited services are available for low-cost spay and neuter, dental cleaning services, end-of-life services, veterinary assistance programs for low-income pet guardians, and wellness veterinary care for Veterans’ pets. Explore veterinary assistance options.
Will Joybound help fund my organization or project?
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, relying solely upon donations to fund our programs. We are not a granting organization and do not accept solicitations for funding.
Joybound is a 501(c)(3) our tax ID number is 68-0240341.
Thanks to the decades of support from our generous donors, 100% of every gift you make goes directly to Joybound’s life-changing programs.
This information is general and isn’t legal, tax, or financial advice. Please talk with your attorney, tax advisor, or financial professional about what’s best for your situation.
