Spotlight on Giving
Get More from Your Giving
Making a meaningful impact isn't always about giving more. Often, it’s about giving differently. While cash gifts are valuable, taking a few minutes to explore other assets and giving strategies may allow you to accomplish even more than you might expect. Thoughtful planning can provide tax benefits, preserve cash flow, and even create a lasting legacy.
Appreciated Assets
If you own appreciated stocks, mutual funds, or other investments (including real estate) that you have held for more than one year, donating those assets directly can be a tax-smart way to give. Your gift qualifies for a charitable income tax deduction based on the asset’s fair market value (subject to limitations) while bypassing the capital gains tax that would apply if you sold the asset first. This double tax benefit may allow you to make a greater impact on our work.
Retirement Assets
If you are age 70½ or older, you can transfer funds to us directly from your IRA. For many donors, this strategy provides significant tax advantages. The transfer is tax free up to a certain amount ($111,000 in 2026) and counts toward your required minimum distribution if one is due.
Donor-Advised Funds
A donor-advised fund can be a flexible way to organize your charitable giving. You make a contribution when it is most advantageous for your tax situation, qualify for a charitable income tax deduction, then recommend charitable grants over time. This approach allows you to support us and other meaningful organizations while maintaining flexibility and simplifying your recordkeeping.
Legacy Gifts
You can make a powerful impact through gifts that cost nothing today. By adding a gift to us in your will or living trust or naming us as a beneficiary of a retirement account, IRA, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund, you can create a lasting legacy while maintaining complete control of the assets during your lifetime. In fact, with this approach, you can even change your gift later if your needs or circumstances change.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
The way you give can be just as important as what you give. Exploring different charitable giving options may help you increase the value of your gift, provide useful benefits, and strengthen the impact you have on the people and programs you care about most.