Giving Insights

A few thoughtful steps early in the year can bring focus and confidence to your giving: Review your 2025 giving. We can help you understand the impact of your past gifts, identify patterns, and explore opportunities for the year ahead. Talk with your advisors early. New tax laws make early coordination especially important. This is […]

A new year presents an excellent opportunity to check in on your charitable giving priorities. This is the case every year, but it is especially important in 2026 because of a few new tax laws that may impact charitable giving strategies for some people. Here are the changes that you’ll want to be aware of, […]

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) come up frequently in planning conversations, but the logistics can feel complex. Here’s a concise example to illustrate how to navigate them with confidence. Scenario: Margaret, age 74 and a longtime client, schedules a meeting to discuss charitable giving. She recently began taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from her IRA and […]

The end of 2025 triggered an intense wave of charitable planning as high earners sought to maximize deductions before the 0.5% AGI “floor” and 35% “cap” took effect on January 1, 2026. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) played a major role, allowing clients to contribute assets in 2025 for optimal tax results, then recommend grants in future […]

If you work with business owners, it’s worth recognizing when a “charitable exit” opportunity arises. These rare but rewarding situations allow a client to give closely-held business interests to charity before a sale—often creating significant tax and philanthropic benefits. How it worksWhen a business owner donates shares to a donor advised fund at the Community […]

As tax laws shift under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) remain one of the most effective strategies for clients age 70½ and older to give wisely while managing taxable income. Why QCDs matter IRA assets—totaling nearly $18 trillion nationwide—are among the most heavily taxed upon withdrawal and inheritance. QCDs […]

Financial advisors know donor advised funds (DAFs) are powerful tools for clients who want to give strategically. What’s less known is how a DAF at the Community Foundation can serve as the foundation of a client’s entire charitable portfolio—combining flexibility, tax advantages, and community impact. Organize annual giving A DAF offers a simple way to […]

By Jody Dilday, Philanthropic Advisor Many people are surprised by the wide range of giving options available at the Community Foundation, including donor-advised funds (DAFs). If you already have a DAF with a national financial institution, you can even transfer it here. Why choose a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation? All the basics you […]

By Ashley Coldiron, Chief Development Officer With just a few months left in 2025, now is the time to review your charitable giving strategy, especially in light of the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Here are three tips to discuss with your advisors (and with us—we’d be glad to join the conversation): Take […]

By Lesley Roberts, Philanthropic Advisor At the Community Foundation, we help individuals, families and businesses support the causes they care about—today and for the future. When you establish a donor-advised fund or other type of fund, you likely have favorite charities in mind. Our team can help you continue supporting those organizations and introduce you […]