Jul 26, 2025 By Aliesha Walz 3 min read

Now is the time to support our local charities, and now is the time to give more! Yes, more.

Everything costs more these days. You feel it. Local charities feel it too. But here’s good news: you could give more to charity while potentially saving money on taxes.

The secret? Don’t give cash.

If you own stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have grown in value for more than a year, consider giving them directly to charity. This strategy could help you skip taxes on capital gains while getting a tax deduction for the full value of the investments. It’s an idea worth exploring if you have company stock or long-held investments.

For donors who have reached the required minimum distribution (RMD) stage with their IRA, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) may be a powerful alternative to gifting cash. These distributions, up to $108,000 per eligible taxpayer, can go directly from the IRA to qualified charities and count toward the donor’s required minimum distribution without being included in their taxable income. That means married couples who both qualify and have their own IRAs could potentially give up to $216,000 annually through this strategy. That’s a win-win for retirees.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) have emerged as one of the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicles because of their flexibility. These funds let donors time their tax deduction for maximum benefit while offering the ability to recommend grants to different charities at their own pace. It is a useful tactic for those who want to batch their giving in high-income years.

The Washington County Community Foundation specializes in connecting local donors with smart giving strategies. When community members come to us wanting to make a difference, we empower them to turn that generosity into real impact. We’ve guided neighbors from all walks of life in using these approaches to better support the causes they care about most. With strong market performance and growing community needs, this is an ideal time to put these strategies to work.

If you are interested in learning more, reach out to a financial adviser or tax professional to begin the conversation. Each approach has specific rules and requirements that must be followed to achieve the desired tax benefits. While the WCCF can be a helpful philanthropic resource, we do not offer tax, investment, or legal advice.

Shifting from cash to strategic giving can be transformative, allowing donors to give more than they thought possible.

In these uncertain times, charitable support from individuals will be critical to the survival of local life-changing programs. Smart giving helps you and your favorite causes.

The best part? You’re not just giving a contribution. You’re giving hope. And we could all use more of that.

Aliesha Walz is president and CEO of the Washington County Community Foundation.