Donate Real Estate to Fundamaya

Transform property into lasting impact for Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala

Real estate giving can be structured to reflect the legal and tax systems of different countries, while advancing a shared commitment to Indigenous-led development and long-term sustainability.

Donating real estate to Fundamaya is a powerful way to convert property into enduring support for Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala—whether the gift is made during your lifetime or through your estate plans.

What Does It Mean to Donate Real Estate?

A real estate gift allows you to donate property you own to Fundamaya. This may include:

Residential property (homes, condominiums)
Commercial or rental property
Land or undeveloped property
Property held personally or through an estate

Depending on your circumstances, real estate can be donated outright, retained for use during your lifetime, or included as a future gift through your will or trust.

Why Donors Choose to Give Real Estate

Real estate is often one of a person’s most valuable assets. Many donors choose this form of giving when a property:

Is no longer needed or used
Requires ongoing maintenance or management
Has increased significantly in value over time
Is difficult to sell or pass on to family

By donating real estate, you can turn an appreciated or underused asset into a meaningful legacy aligned with your values.

Benefits to You as a Donor

Donating real estate to Fundamaya may offer meaningful financial, estate-planning, and personal benefits. These vary depending on whether you are based in the United States, Canada, or Guatemala, and on your individual circumstances.

Potential Financial & Tax Benefits

Possible charitable income tax deductions (U.S. and Canada)
Potential reduction or avoidance of capital gains taxes
Reduced estate settlement costs and administrative complexity
Ability to donate non-cash assets without selling the property yourself

(Tax treatment varies by country. We strongly encourage consulting a qualified attorney, accountant, or notario in your jurisdiction.)

Personal & Legacy Benefits

Create a legacy rooted in equity, dignity, and Indigenous leadership
Align significant assets with your values
Reduce the burden of managing or disposing of property
Transform a physical asset into long-term community impact

Benefits to Fundamaya and the Communities We Serve

Real estate gifts provide Fundamaya with flexible and often transformational resources. These gifts may:

Be sold to generate funding for long-term programs
Support sustainability and organizational resilience
Strengthen community-led education, health, and environmental initiatives
Enable long-term planning guided by Indigenous priorities

Your gift helps ensure Fundamaya can continue partnering with communities in ways that are respectful, stable, and future-focused.

Ways to Donate Real Estate

Real estate gifts can be structured in several ways to meet the needs of donors in different countries.

1. Outright Gift During Your Lifetime

You transfer ownership of the property to Fundamaya or to an approved intermediary. The property is typically sold, and proceeds are used to support Fundamaya’s mission.

This option may:

Provide immediate tax benefits (U.S. and Canada)
Eliminate ongoing property expenses and management
Allow you to see the impact of your generosity during your lifetime

2. Retained Life Estate (Primarily U.S.)

You donate your property now while retaining the right to live in or use it for the rest of your life. Ownership transfers to Fundamaya upon your passing.

This option may:

Allow continued use of the property
Provide current charitable tax benefits
Create a clear future gift without disrupting your lifestyle

3. Gift Through Your Will or Trust

You may designate real estate as a gift to Fundamaya through your will or trust in the U.S., Canada, or Guatemala.

This option may:

Have no impact on your finances today
Simplify estate administration
Ensure your property supports Indigenous Maya communities in the future

2. Retained Life Estate

You donate your property now but retain the right to live in or use it for the rest of your life. Ownership transfers to Fundamaya upon your passing.

This option may:

Allow continued use of the property
Provide current tax benefits
Create a clear future gift without disrupting your lifestyle

3. Gift Through Your Will or Trust

You may designate real estate as a gift to Fundamaya as part of your estate plans.

This option may:

Have no impact on your finances today
Reduce estate settlement costs
Ensure your property supports Indigenous communities in the future

Our Approach to Real Estate Gifts

Fundamaya evaluates real estate gifts carefully and responsibly to ensure they align with our mission, capacity, and community values. Each gift is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, considering:

Property location and condition
Environmental and legal considerations
Costs associated with holding or selling the property

This thoughtful process helps protect both donors and the communities we serve.

Let’s Start the Conversation

If you are considering donating real estate—or would like to explore whether this option is right for you—we welcome a confidential, no-obligation conversation.

Contact: Dwight Mara
Phone: 1-858-388-9958

Email: info@fundamaya.org and also dwight@fundamaya.org
Subject line suggestion: Real Estate Donation Inquiry

Turning Property into Purpose

A real estate gift to Fundamaya transforms a physical asset into opportunity, resilience, and hope. Your generosity supports Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala as they lead their own paths toward a just and sustainable future.

Fundamaya partners with Indigenous Maya communities, helping support and create dignity, local leadership, and long-term sustainability in all of our work.