Illinois Tax Credit

Give to Big Shoulders Fund and Receive a Tax Credit! 

Support Big Shoulders Fund and receive a substantial state income tax credit through the new Illinois Gives Tax Credit Program.  

What Is the Illinois Gives Tax Credit Program? 

The program offers a 25 percent state income tax credit for qualified contributions. Donations must be made to permanent endowment funds that support charitable organizations benefiting Illinois residents and that are held by Qualified Community Foundations (QCFs). Big Shoulders Fund is a Qualified Community Foundation.  

Who can give?  

  • Any Illinois taxpayer: individuals, joint filers, corporations, partnerships, trusts, and estates.   

What are the key benefits? 

  • A 25% tax credit on your contribution. (For example, a $10,000 donation provides a $2,500 credit.)  
  • High contribution limits of up to $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for joint filers annually  
  • Carry forward unused credits for up to five years​ 

How do I apply? (For a detailed step-by-step guide, click here.)

  1. Submit your application to contribute to Big Shoulders Fund as a Qualified Community Foundation at mytax.illinois.gov. 
  1. Receive your Contribution Authorization Certificate. 
  1. Donate to Big Shoulders Fund within 10 business days of receiving the Contribution Authorization Certificate and email your Contribution Authorization Certificate to Big Shoulders Fund at giving@bigshouldersfund.org 
  1. You will receive a Certificate of Receipt from the state of Illinois in your MyTaxIllinois account for use on your Illinois tax return, along with an acknowledgement letter for your gift from Big Shoulders Fund. ​  

Anything else I need to know? 

  • There is a $5 million cap on credits, which are awarded first-come, first-served. 
  • 25% of that $5 million is reserved for contributions of $25,000 or less. ​  
  • Applications open on January 1 each year, so early application is encouraged.  

For more information, contact: Amy Drozda, Chief Advancement and Development Officer at adrozda@bigshouldersfund.org or 312.751.3850     

Further information: https://tax.illinois.gov/programs/illinoisgives/il-gives-contributor.html