Use This Tax Season to Plan Your Giving

Tax season tells you more than just what you owe. It also reveals opportunities to make smart decisions now that can improve your giving efficiency and next year’s taxes. While the numbers are still fresh, take the time to look closer and decide what type of charitable gift will best support your financial and philanthropic goals.

Make the Most of the New Giving Rules

Recent changes have made it harder for many donors to receive a deduction for their charitable gifts. The high standard deduction means many people don’t itemize, and nonitemizers can only deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers) for cash contributions to qualified charities. For itemizers, only total annual gift amounts above a 0.5%-of-AGI threshold qualify for a deduction.

One practical approach is to “bunch” your contributions. By combining two or more years’ worth of gifts into one year, you may be able to exceed these limits. A donor-advised fund (DAF) can help you bunch gifts now and then recommend grants over time to support our work.

Look Beyond Cash

Your return may also point to tax-efficient opportunities to give non-cash assets:

• A gift from your IRA. If you are 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free distribution up to $111,000 (in 2026) directly from your IRA to us—and it counts toward your required minimum distribution if one is due.
• Appreciated stock or mutual funds. A donation of securities you’ve held for more than a year has the potential for double tax benefits—a deduction for the fair market value (subject to limitations) and no capital gains tax.
• Complex assets. Real estate or a business interest can make a powerful gift. Talk to us about your plans and start the process early, since these gifts take time and require proper valuation.

Start Now for a Better April Next Year

The most effective giving strategies don’t happen at the last minute. Now is the time to review your tax return and look for insights that will help you improve next year’s outcome. What stood out this year? Whether it was higher income, capital gains tax, or fewer deductions, those details can guide giving decisions today that can strengthen both your finances and your impact.