Philanthropy matters: Your year-end guide to powerful giving
Science confirms what generous hearts have always known: giving triggers our brain’s reward circuits, flooding us with the same feel-good chemicals as life’s other great pleasures.
As 2025 draws to a close, you have a critical window to create lasting change, maximize your tax benefits, and feel the genuine happiness that giving brings.
Next year brings sweeping tax law changes that will limit deductions for many donors. Here are three year-end giving strategies you may want to consider in order to maximize your impact.
1. Donate Appreciated Assets (Not Cash)
Instead of writing a check, donate stocks, bonds, or mutual funds held over one year. You can avoid capital gains tax and deduct the full market value of the contribution. This strategy can be a fantastic option for almost anyone with investment accounts, and it has the potential to significantly increase your giving power.
2. Bunch Multiple Years of Giving
Consider combining multiple years of charitable giving into 2025 to exceed the standard deduction threshold, then take the standard deduction in future years. This “bunching” strategy maximizes tax benefits even for moderate givers, which is perfect timing with tax law changes coming in 2026.
A donor advised fund (DAF) may offer an ideal giving vehicle for donors who wish to utilize bunching, as grants from DAFs can be directed over time.
3. QCDs from IRAs (Age 70½+)
Required to take distributions from your IRA (individual retirement account)? Send up to $108,000 directly to charity tax-free instead. This gift counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) but skips the income tax. Couples can give $216,000 combined, turning tax obligations into charitable impact. For retirees, this is often the single most powerful giving strategy available.
Since our founding, the Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) has witnessed the profound ripple effects of strategic philanthropy. We combine deep community knowledge with prudent investment strategies to ensure your generosity creates perpetual waves of positive change.
Right now, families in Washington County are counting on organizations stretched to their limits. Your year-end gift, whether through appreciated assets, bunched giving, or an IRA distribution, can become a lifeline at the most critical moment.
Don’t let Dec. 31 pass with regrets about the good you could have done, or the tax benefits you could have claimed.
The window is closing. But it’s not too late to experience the joy of giving and make a true impact in our community. To learn more, call 724-222-6330 or visit www.wccf.net.
The Washington County Community Foundation serves as your philanthropic partner, helping you achieve your charitable goals. While we provide general information about giving strategies, please consult your professional advisors regarding legal, tax, and financial implications for your specific situation.