
                       HOW YOUR GIFT CAN HELP THE BLIND





                       NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
                                Located at the 
                         National Center for the Blind
                              1800 Johnson Street
                           Baltimore, Maryland 21230
                                 410-659-9314



            THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND has prepared this
      guide about SPECIAL GIFTS as a means of encouraging you to
      include the blind in your plans for the legacy you will leave 
      to society.

            Ironically, many still believe that such giving is mainly
      the responsibility of the very rich.  The fact is, the numerous
      gifts from those with modest assets sustain much of the good
      work of organizations such as the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND.

            Beyond the pleasure that comes from creating a helpful legacy, 
      there are the practical aspects of well-planned bequests.  It is
      these we will try to address here.


                            WHAT YOUR GIFT CAN MEAN

TO PARENTS OF A BLIND CHILD--

"We were devastated when we learned that our precious newborn baby boy was
blind.  We didn't know where to turn...  Then we found the National Federation
of the Blind, and slowly we began to see that our son had a future worth
living."

TO A NEWLY BLIND ADULT--

"If only I had known of the National Federation of the Blind at the time I
lost my sight--I wouldn't have needed to lose my job, my wife, my home, my
dignity.  I'm rebuilding my life now, but it's slow.  If only I had known."

TO A BLIND DIABETIC--

"Meeting others who were blind and had diabetes gave me the courage to go on. 
If they could manage blindness and this disease so could I.  We learn from
each other."

TO A BLIND CHILD--

"I wanna be like Fred when I grow up.  He reads Braille and uses a white cane
and runs a computer and has a good job.  I met him at the National Federation
of the Blind meeting.  He's neat!"


The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has chapters in all 50 states plus
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  The National Federation of the
Blind has been built and led by blind persons themselves for more than 50
years and has made the difference between life with dignity and purpose or
mere existence for much of America's blind population.

From its headquarters at the National Center for the Blind in Baltimore,
Maryland, the NFB coordinates far-reaching programs for the blind including:

      Job Opportunities for the Blind.
      Assistance to parents of blind children.
      Support groups for newly blind individuals.
      Scholarships for blind students.
      Distribution of special devices for the blind.
      Production and distribution of Braille and recorded materials for the
       blind.
      Research and development of new technologies for the blind.
      International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind.
      Direct personal assistance to blind persons in need.
      National Blindness Information Center and Library.
      Low interest business and technology loan programs.
      Public education about blindness.

                               THE GIVING GUIDE

These examples of giving are only to illustrate the variety of vehicles which
may be used.  We will be happy to supply additional information, or you may
wish to talk with your own lawyer or accountant.  Our purpose in bringing this
information to your attention is to remind you of the good work of the
National Federation of the Blind and to invite you to consider the Federation
in your giving plans.

GIFTS OF CASH--Cash gifts are tax-deductible up to 50% of the donor's adjusted
gross income.  They are a common form of giving and easy to make.  Gifts in
excess of the 50% limit can be carried forward and deducted for up to five
subsequent years.  In most states the income tax code allows for a charitable
deduction for such cash gifts.

APPRECIATED SECURITIES--A gift of appreciated securities will receive
favorable tax treatment.  For instance, your gift of an appreciated security
to the National Federation of the Blind avoids the capital gains tax and
qualifies for a charitable income tax deduction at the full fair market value
of the securities.  This means that the "profit" on your appreciated security
is counted toward your deductible gift.

REAL ESTATE--Gifts of real estate to the NFB also receive many of the same
favorable tax advantages that apply to appreciated securities.  Gifts can be
made of your entire ownership of real estate or your partial ownership.  You
may also choose to make a deferred gift of your interest in a farm or
residence, a method which allows you to use your property for life while
giving the NFB a future interest.  It is an excellent method of giving because
you will continue to enjoy your property for the rest of your life while
receiving a current income tax deduction.  The life interest means you have
the advantages and responsibilities of ownership but may not dispose of the
future interest you have donated to the NFB.

LIFE INSURANCE--Once you have provided for your family's financial security
and you no longer feel the need for the coverage you felt necessary earlier in
your life, you may wish to give one or more of your life insurance policies to
the National Federation of the Blind.  You would simply make the Federation
the owner and beneficiary and continue to maintain the payments of premiums. 
This would lead to a tax-deduction based on the current value of the policy
and immediate recognition of your generosity by the NFB.  Life insurance is an
excellent method of deferred giving that provides capital for the future needs
of the blind above and beyond what you might accomplish with a current
outright gift.

THE CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY--In this method you may choose to make a gift of
cash, securities, or real estate to the NFB which would become obligated to
pay you or other beneficiaries an income for life.  Upon the death of the
beneficiaries the Federation would receive the principal and apply it to
whatever use you directed.

Usually a life income gift will entitle the giver to an immediate charitable
tax-deduction based on the value of the property you transfer to the
Federation, less the value of the life income interest retained by you.  If
you would like to explore further details of the Charitable Gift Annuity, the
NFB would be pleased to advise you.

DEFERRED GIFTS--Deferred (or planned) Gifts can provide income tax advantages
and other benefits such as life income, future use of donated property, and
avoidance of capital gains taxes.  One such method is the CHARITABLE TRUST. 
Trusts are often used for gifts of $50,000 or more because of their
flexibility.  The trust would be established through an irrevocable agreement
between you and the NFB as trustee.  The two main varieties of these trusts
are the Remainder Trust and the Lead Trust.

A Charitable Remainder Unitrust is quite flexible and may be established with
tax-free bonds to provide tax-free income.  In the unitrust the beneficiary
receives a fixed percentage of the trust's assets as income, usually
distributed quarterly.  The Charitable Annuity Trust is an instrument similar
to the remainder unitrust, except that it must pay a fixed dollar amount each
year to the trust beneficiaries.  The same favorable income and capital gains
treatment usually apply.

The Charitable Lead Trust is essentially the reverse of the remainder trust. 
Through a Lead Trust the NFB would receive income from the trust for a period
of years with the trust passing to the donor's beneficiaries, or even to the
donor, when the terms of the trust conclude.  No estate or gift tax is
required of the value of the portion of the trust which represents the gift to
the Federation.

DONATIONS IN MEMORY--When a loved one dies, many persons prefer to make
contributions to a nonprofit organization such as the National Federation of
the Blind as a living memorial to the deceased. In this case, you may wish to
print the name and address of the NFB in the obituary and have it announced at
the funeral services.

BEQUESTS IN A WILL--Gifts made by will are usually exempt from federal and
state estate taxes.  If you choose an annuity or life income arrangement for
your beneficiaries to begin after your death your estate will normally qualify
for a tax-deduction based on the value of the future interest given to the
NFB.

You may wish to make certain charitable bequests after the needs of your
family and other beneficiaries are assured.  In this case may we suggest you
designate to the NFB a fixed percentage of your net estate.  Under this method
you would not have to alter your will because of changes in the size of your
estate.

If you feel you cannot make a fixed dollar bequest or a percentage bequest
because of other obligations, you may wish to name the NFB as a contingent
beneficiary.  This means that the Federation would receive assets under your
will only if the primary beneficiaries are no longer living.  The language of
your will in this aspect need not be complicated and your lawyer will help you
with the phrasing.  

If you wish to make a bequest for a specific purpose, such as a scholarship,
the NFB or your lawyer, or both, can advise you.  Also, in addition to your
will, many investments allow you to designate primary or secondary
beneficiaries to receive your assets upon your death.  These include Keogh and
IRA accounts and life insurance.  If the NFB receives property in this manner,
your estate will generally receive a tax deduction based on the value of the
property at the time the will is probated.

If you or a friend would like to remember the National Federation of the Blind
in your will, you can do so by employing the following language:

            "I give, devise, and bequeath unto the National Federation
            of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230,
            a District of Columbia nonprofit corporation, the sum of $____
            (or "_________percent of my net estate" or "The following stocks
            and bonds: ______") to be used for its worthy purposes on
            behalf of blind persons."

Your lawyer or banker will help you make arrangements for your gift.  A
Federation representative will be happy to work with you or your
representative as desired.

                  TO MAKE A GIFT NOW OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to make a gift right now--perhaps in memory of a loved one--
or if you would like more information, please use this form.

NAME_______________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________
CITY__________________________STATE____________ZIP_________
TELEPHONE:  HOME (___)   ____________________
            OFFICE (___) ____________________

Enclosed is my donation of _______________ to support the programs of the
National Federation of the Blind.

My donation is made in memory of
___________________________________________________________

Acknowledgement of my gift should be sent to:

NAME______________________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________________
CITY__________________________STATE____________ZIP________

      I do not wish any acknowledgement sent.

      Please contact me to discuss my giving plans.

      Please send more information about the National Federation of the Blind.

MAIL TO:

                       NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
                              1800 Johnson Street
                           Baltimore, Maryland 21230
                                (410) 659-9314



            "My generation of blind adults must work to help
            today's blind children like my friend Cherranne
            have better opportunities than we had when we
            were growing up."

                                    Kenneth Jernigan
                                    President Emeritus