Donor-advised funds closer to home, getting teens involved, and charitable giving plans

Hello from the community foundation!

We’re halfway through 2026 already! For many people, summer offers a welcome opportunity to slow down, spend time with family, and reflect on what matters most. The community foundation is happy to share ideas to help you strengthen your charitable giving to make an even bigger difference—and make it more enjoyable for you.

Closer to home: Steps to move your donor-advised fund to the community foundation

If you have a donor-advised fund at a national charitable sponsor or commercial provider, you may be wondering whether there is a better fit for your charitable giving goals. We’re happy to share simple steps for moving your donor-advised fund to the community foundation where you can benefit from local knowledge, personalized support, and a deeper connection to the community you care about.

Charitable giving: Ten ways teens can get involved

Many parents and grandparents want to pass along values of generosity and community involvement, but they are not always sure how to begin. The community foundation offers ten ideas for helping teenagers explore causes they care about, learn from local nonprofits, and begin developing lifelong habits of charitable giving.

Checking in on your charitable plan

Life changes, families grow, and community needs evolve, which means your charitable plan may deserve an occasional review. Check out key questions to consider as you revisit your giving goals, beneficiary designations, family involvement, and opportunities to make your philanthropy easier and more meaningful.

As always, thank you for allowing the community foundation to be part of your charitable plans! We love working with you and we encourage you to reach out anytime.

—Your community foundation

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Closer to home: Steps to move your donor-advised fund to the community foundation

At the community foundation, we work with a wide range of donors who want to support favorite charities and causes they care about. Sometimes we meet with individuals and families who have already begun their charitable giving journey by establishing a donor-advised fund at a national charitable sponsor or commercial provider. 

Over time, many donors discover that they want something more. They want to learn about local needs, connect with nonprofits making a difference in their community, involve family members in giving decisions, and work with people who understand the place they call home. For these donors, transferring a donor-advised fund from a national charitable sponsor or a commercial provider to the community foundation can be a natural next step.

The good news is that moving a donor-advised fund is often easier than people expect. Here is a simple guide to the process.

Step 1: Start a conversation with the community foundation

The first step is simply to reach out. The community foundation team can learn about your charitable interests, answer questions, and explain how a donor-advised fund at the community foundation can support your goals.

Many donors are surprised to learn that a community foundation offers not only the convenience of a donor-advised fund, but also local knowledge, philanthropic expertise, and a long-term commitment to strengthening the community.

Step 2: Map out a fund that reflects your values

One of the most enjoyable parts of the process is designing a fund that reflects your family's charitable vision. You can choose a fund name, such as the Smith Family Fund or Smith Family Foundation, designate fund advisors, and discuss how future generations might become involved. Many donors use this opportunity to create a structure that encourages family conversations about generosity and community impact, tapping into the community foundation’s resources and expertise.

Step 3: Establish your new donor-advised fund

The community foundation will provide a simple fund agreement that outlines how the fund will operate and who may recommend grants to nonprofit organizations. The process is typically straightforward, and the community foundation team will guide you through each step.

Step 4: Recommend a grant to make the transfer from your current donor-advised fund

Once your new fund is established at the community foundation, you can contact your current donor-advised fund provider and recommend a grant to the community foundation for the benefit of your newly created fund. In many cases, this can be completed online and requires only a few minutes.

Step 5: Confirm the details

To help ensure a smooth transfer, be sure to use the exact name of your new fund and any instructions provided by the community foundation. Our team will gladly help coordinate the details and answer any questions that arise along the way.

Step 6: Decide how much to transfer

Some donors transfer the entire balance of an existing donor-advised fund at once. Others prefer to transfer a portion first and move additional assets later. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The right decision depends on your charitable goals, giving plans, and personal preferences. Some donors even choose to maintain their existing donor-advised fund at a commercial provider while also establishing a separate locally-focused donor-advised fund or other charitable fund at the community foundation.

Step 7: Put your philanthropy to work in the community

After the transfer is complete, you can begin recommending grants from your community foundation donor-advised fund. Our team is always here as a sounding board and resource if you have questions! You may already support several favorite local nonprofits, and our team is happy to discuss both these organizations and new organizations that might have caught your attention. Many donors find that this deeper connection to the local community—and to professionals who understand it—becomes one of the most rewarding aspects of their giving.

The upshot here is that any donor-advised fund can help you organize and simplify your charitable giving. By moving your fund to the community foundation, you also gain a local partner committed to helping you make a lasting difference close to home. If you'd like to explore whether a transfer makes sense for you, the community foundation team would be delighted to start the conversation!

Charitable giving: Ten ways teens can get involved

At the community foundation, we are honored to work with many families across multiple generations. Quite frequently, parents and grandparents share with us their hopes of passing along to the next generation more than just financial assets. They want to pass along values, encourage generosity, and foster a lifelong commitment to community.

In many of these conversations, parents and grandparents ask how they can get teens involved. "The teenage years can be tricky," they tell us. "But we also know this is an important time to begin conversations about philanthropy." And that’s certainly true! Teens are old enough to understand community challenges, form opinions about issues they care about, and make thoughtful decisions about how they want to help. 

For parents, it’s likely worth exploring the research behind the benefits of getting teens involved in the community. In particular, a landmark study published eight years ago (and still relevant) in the Journal of Adolescence found that altruistic behaviors—such as learning about and assisting strangers—not only appeal to adolescents, but actively raise their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.

No matter how compelling the strategy may be, however, getting teens involved is often easier said than done. The team at the community foundation is happy to help. Here are ten suggestions for simple ways to start the process. 

1. Ask what they care about

Many adults begin by talking about charities they support. Instead, start by asking your teen what issues matter to them. They may be passionate about animals, the environment, education, healthcare, mental health, or helping neighbors in need. Listening first can create a stronger foundation for future conversations and ultimately deeper community engagement.

2. Volunteer together

Giving involves more than writing checks. Spending even just an hour volunteering as a family can help teens see firsthand how nonprofit organizations serve the community and why charitable support matters. 

3. Let them help make giving decisions

If your family uses a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, consider inviting teens to recommend a portion of the annual grants to nonprofit organizations they believe in. Even small decisions can help them gain confidence and feel invested in the family's philanthropy. Some families even choose to establish a donor-advised fund for a child or grandchild when they reach adulthood, using cash or appreciated assets to help launch a lifetime of charitable giving.

4. Visit local nonprofits

Many nonprofit organizations welcome visitors and offer tours or informational meetings. Seeing an organization's work in action often leaves a lasting impression and helps young people understand the impact of charitable giving. Again, this does not need to take a lot of time. Even a 20-minute visit can be eye-opening. The community foundation team is happy to offer suggestions and make connections.

5. Encourage teens to research charities

Ask your teen to identify a cause they care about and jump online to learn more about organizations addressing that issue. This can help develop critical thinking skills and introduce concepts such as nonprofit missions, effectiveness, and community impact. Feel free to ask the community foundation team to suggest websites, books, and other educational resources if your teen wants to learn more. 

6. Talk about family values

Charitable giving often reflects deeply held beliefs and priorities. Sharing stories about why your family supports certain causes can help teens understand that philanthropy is about more than money—it's about making a difference. For example, if your family has supported a particular nonprofit for many years because of a personal connection, take the time to explain to your teen the history and original connection. 

7. Help them give their own money

Whether it is a portion of an allowance, earnings from a summer job, or birthday money, encouraging teens to make their own charitable gifts can be a powerful learning experience. It always feels more “real” to spend your own money, and charitable giving is no exception. 

8. Introduce teens to community leaders

This suggestion surprises many parents and grandparents who wish they would have thought of it sooner! Think of all the people you know who are making a difference every day in the community, whether working at a nonprofit, serving in a civic leadership position, or leading philanthropy efforts for a business. These conversations can inspire teens by showing them how individuals—real people—can create meaningful change.

9. Invite teens to community foundation events

Many events hosted by the community foundation may be well-suited for your teen to attend, especially when our team is presenting information about community needs or celebrating a community milestone. The next time you plan to attend a community foundation event, consider asking our team whether it might be appropriate to bring a teenage child or grandchild. We are also happy to suggest upcoming events that may be especially engaging for young people.

10. Focus on progress, not perfection

To state the obvious, there is no single right way to raise charitable children and grandchildren! The goal is not to create experts overnight. Instead, focus on creating opportunities for curiosity, learning, and participation. Small—even very small—experiences can help teens build lifelong habits of generosity and civic engagement.

One of the greatest gifts you can give the next generation is an understanding that they have the power to make a difference. The community foundation would be delighted to help!

Checking in on your charitable plan

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." — John Lennon

You’ve certainly heard that well-known quote. But have you thought about it in the context of your charitable giving? It’s common to create a charitable giving plan during a particular season of life. Perhaps you established a donor-advised fund after selling a business, included charitable gifts in your estate plan when your children were young, or began supporting favorite causes after retirement.

Over time, however, your life changes—and so does the community around you. Families grow, financial circumstances shift, priorities evolve, and our community faces new challenges. Organizations you care about may expand their missions or collaborate with other nonprofits tackling similar needs. Just as financial and estate plans benefit from periodic review, your charitable plan deserves an occasional checkup as well.

If it has been a few years since you've revisited your charitable goals, consider reaching out to the community foundation team. We’d be happy to serve as a sounding board as you ask yourself a few questions. Examples include:

Are the causes I support today the same causes I cared about ten years ago?

Many donors find that their interests evolve over time. You may have become passionate about education, environmental conservation, healthcare, animal welfare, faith-based initiatives, or other causes that were not top priorities years ago.

Does my charitable plan still reflect my family's values?

Children and grandchildren often develop interests and perspectives of their own. Many families discover that charitable giving provides a meaningful opportunity to discuss values, generosity, and community impact across generations. The result is that families want to adjust their charitable priorities to reflect the interests of the family’s next generation. 

Have I reviewed my retirement account beneficiary designations recently?

Perhaps you’ve already worked with your advisors to update beneficiary designations of your retirement plans. Even so, it’s a good idea to take a look at those documents every few years to be sure nothing is missing. And if you’ve not yet named your fund at the community foundation or another charity as a beneficiary of IRAs and other retirement accounts, it’s worth exploring because of the potentially meaningful tax benefits of these arrangements. Be sure to ask your tax advisor about whether this technique could be a fit for you, and reach out to the community foundation team to help set your intentions in motion.

Do I know how local needs have changed?

Communities are constantly evolving and ours is no exception. While many longstanding needs remain, new challenges and opportunities often emerge over time. New opportunities to make a difference pop up every year, and learning about them can inspire you to get involved. The community foundation is a valuable resource to provide not only the big picture of what’s going on in our region but also specific examples of how nonprofits are meeting the most pressing community needs. 

Am I making this as easy on myself as possible?

You want to experience the joy of giving—not add administrative layers! Many donors appreciate opportunities to simplify their philanthropy. Whether through a donor-advised fund, another type of fund at the community foundation, or a combination of funds designed to achieve different goals, the right structure can make giving more organized and enjoyable.

Remember that updating your charitable plan does not necessarily require major changes. Sometimes a simple conversation with the community foundation team is enough to confirm that everything remains on track. Other times, donors discover opportunities to strengthen their impact, engage family members, or support causes in new ways.

The community foundation is always happy to help you review your charitable goals and explore ways to ensure that your philanthropy continues to reflect your values, your family, and your hopes for the future. We look forward to our next conversation!  

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

A moment to meet, advisor introductions, and supporting your favorite charities

Hello from the community foundation!

We are rounding the corner into summer! All year long, the community foundation team is committed to offering thoughtful charitable planning tools and resources so that you and your family can support your favorite causes while creating lasting impact across our community. It is always our honor and pleasure to share some of the ways the community foundation can help you strengthen your charitable giving strategies, especially right now as you carve out time to reflect and regroup over the next few months.

A moment to meet: Philanthropy’s crucial role now and in the future

What does it mean to “meet the moment” through charitable giving? A “portfolio” approach to charitable giving, developed in partnership with the community foundation, can combine thoughtful planning, flexibility, and consistency, helping you respond quickly to current community needs while also supporting long-term impact.

“Nice to meet you”: Introducing your advisors to the community foundation team

Your attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors play an important part in helping you achieve your financial and charitable goals. Learn how introducing your advisors to the community foundation team can strengthen collaboration and uncover new charitable planning opportunities.

All that and more: Your donor-advised fund may surprise you

Many donors are discovering that donor-advised funds at the community foundation can do far more than they originally imagined. Discover creative ways your donor-advised fund can champion your charitable goals, engage future generations, and adapt alongside life’s major transitions, all while benefiting from the support of the experienced team at the community foundation.

As always, thank you for allowing the community foundation to be part of your charitable journey. We are honored to help you bring your philanthropic goals to life and strengthen our community for generations to come.

—Your community foundation

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A moment to meet: Philanthropy’s crucial role

Over the last several years, communities across the country, including our own region, have faced moments of enormous challenge—from natural disasters and economic uncertainty to housing shortages and growing mental health needs. Increasingly, the community foundation team is talking with donors and fund holders about how their charitable giving can make the biggest difference right now. This idea is being described in industry circles as “meeting the moment.”

In the simplest terms, meeting the moment means responding thoughtfully and generously to the needs that matter most today while still keeping long-term community impact in mind. Sometimes that means supporting immediate emergency relief efforts. Other times, it means helping nonprofits today so that they can build long-term solutions that strengthen our community for years to come.

Here are three tips that may help you and your family consider how you can make the biggest difference:

Think broadly about your charitable giving plan

Many fund holders have adopted a “portfolio approach” to their philanthropy, leaning on the community foundation to serve as a convenient and strategic hub. For example, your charitable giving “portfolio” at the community foundation might include a donor-advised fund to support your annual and ongoing charitable giving, legacy provisions to ensure that your impact extends across future generations, capacity-building gifts to the community foundation itself to ensure the growth of philanthropy and impact across our region, and special “field of interest” or “designated funds” to support particular focus areas or specific nonprofit organizations as needs ebb and flow. The combination of multiple fund types and giving structures helps ensure that your dollars make the biggest difference.

Incorporate flexibility as you carry out your charitable giving plan

With the appropriate funds and planning vehicles in place, many donors take the next step to ensure their charitable portfolio allows for flexible funding during times of crisis and transition. Specifically, nonprofits in our community often need unrestricted support so they can respond quickly to changing conditions, invest in staff capacity, and continue serving people effectively even after headlines fade. Donors who understand this can play a powerful role in helping organizations remain resilient and responsive. The community foundation can help you identify instances where it’s most beneficial simply to provide general support to nonprofit organizations, rather than designating your gift to a specific program or desired outcome.

Consistency is key

Meeting the moment does not mean changing all your charitable priorities overnight, only to revert them back when the moment has passed. There will always be moments of need! Instead, “meeting the moment” means staying informed about current community needs with the help of the community foundation team, remaining flexible in the causes you support and the ways you support them, and responding quickly when your philanthropy can create meaningful impact and your community needs it most. Sometimes, even a small adjustment in timing, focus, or funding approach can make a big difference in the lives of people in need.

As always, the community foundation is here to help. Our team members are deeply connected to local nonprofits and community leaders, which means we are uniquely positioned to identify emerging needs and opportunities for impact. Whether you want to respond to a current challenge, support a specific cause area, or balance immediate needs with long-term charitable goals, the community foundation can help you structure your overall giving strategy and serve as a sounding board as you carry out your plans.

Please reach out anytime! 

“Nice to meet you”: Introducing your advisors to the community foundation team

At the community foundation, we are honored to work with many individuals, families, and businesses who support the causes that matter most to them and help make our entire community a better place to live. In many cases, trusted professional advisors, including attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, are helping donors make important decisions about taxes, investments, estate planning, and family wealth. 

All of this is wonderful! There’s one more step, however, that is often overlooked: Connecting the dots. If you are a donor or fund holder at the community foundation, or plan to establish a fund in the near future, please consider introducing your advisors to the community foundation team. A simple introduction can make a tremendous difference in ultimately achieving your charitable goals. Here’s why:

• Attorneys, CPAs, and wealth managers are experts in many aspects of financial and estate planning, and their work is essential in helping you develop and implement strategies through legal documentation, tax filings, and other technical guidance. Not all advisors, however, are experts in charitable giving. 

• The community foundation, by comparison, brings to the table specialized knowledge about charitable giving strategies, local nonprofit needs, philanthropic tools that may be best suited for your particular situation, and the types of assets you might consider giving to achieve your goals.

• The community foundation certainly does not offer legal, tax, or financial advice, but we absolutely stay current on legal, tax, and charitable developments. In turn, we can keep you and your advisors informed about which trends to watch. 

• When you establish a fund at the community foundation as part of your charitable plan, our team will handle the paperwork and administration to create and manage that fund. This is often a relief to your advisors, not to mention a relief to you! 

Importantly, collaborative conversations among donors, advisors, and the community foundation are not only for ultra-high-net-worth families. Even relatively straightforward charitable plans can benefit from collaboration between your advisors and the community foundation. In many cases, donors discover giving opportunities they might not otherwise have considered. What’s more, many advisors appreciate having philanthropic specialists available to help explore charitable strategies that benefit both the donor and the causes they care about.

So what can you do? We invite and encourage you to take the lead! A simple email introducing each of your advisors to the community foundation team is often all that is required to open the door to better communication and stronger planning. The community foundation is always happy to join a conversation with you and your advisors, but a baseline introduction is the most critical part.  

When professionals work together, the result is often a more coordinated and impactful charitable plan. By connecting your advisors with the community foundation, you help create a team that can support both your financial goals and your desire to make a lasting difference. We look forward to hearing from you—and meeting your advisors! Thank you for all you do to make our community a better place. 

All that and more: Your donor-advised fund may surprise you

You might initially think of a donor-advised fund as a simple charitable savings account: contribute assets, immediately receive a tax deduction, if eligible, and recommend grants to your favorite 501(c)(3) nonprofits over time. While that is certainly true, many people are surprised to learn just how flexible a donor-advised fund at the community foundation can be.

For many donors, the creative use of donor-advised funds at the community foundation opens the door to a larger charitable impact than they originally thought possible. Here’s how:

Your fund grows and changes alongside your life

Many people do not realize that a donor-advised fund at the community foundation can help simplify giving during major life transitions. If you are preparing for retirement, selling a business, receiving an inheritance, or navigating a particularly high-income year, your donor-advised fund can provide flexibility in both timing for income tax planning and philanthropic grantmaking decisions. What’s more, during many of these transitions, it may make sense to look beyond cash gifts and explore using appreciated stock, closely held business interests, real estate, and other noncash assets to fund your charitable goals in tax-efficient ways.

Your fund can help you engage the next generation

Some donors are using donor-advised funds at the community foundation to involve children and grandchildren in family philanthropy. Because grants can be recommended over many years to 501(c)(3) organizations locally and across the country, donor-advised funds create opportunities for ongoing conversations about values, generosity, and community impact across generations.

The community foundation supports your areas of focus

Working with your local community foundation adds the important elements of flexibility, personalization, and expertise. Unlike national commercial donor-advised fund providers, community foundations combine the administrative advantages of a donor-advised fund with deep local knowledge and personalized philanthropic support. The community foundation can help identify community needs, connect you with nonprofit organizations of all shapes and sizes, and explore creative strategies tailored to your own charitable interests. The community foundation is here to help you support your favorite causes, whatever they may be.

The takeaway? Your donor-advised fund at the community foundation is much more than just a giving account—it is a flexible tool for building a thoughtful, lasting charitable legacy that supports your favorite causes and the community as a whole. Please reach out to our team to expand your impact and enjoy your philanthropy even more! 

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

Local legacy, your charitable giving profile, and getting started on your charitable plan

It’s hard to believe that spring is in full swing and 2026 is approaching the midway mark! As always, the community foundation team is here to share practical insights and support your charitable goals. We’re always inspired by the many ways our fund holders and donors express their generosity. 

This month, we’re taking a step back to reflect on a simple but powerful idea: what does philanthropy really mean—and how can you discover the causes that matter most to you, especially right here in our own community? You’ll find practical guidance for shaping your giving, along with ideas to help you take the next step in your charitable journey, wherever you may be.

Rethinking legacy: Balancing gifts to heirs with the community’s future

Estate planning is about more than deciding who receives what. The community foundation is happy to share trends in the ways donors are thinking carefully about inheritances, family needs, and opportunities to leave a meaningful charitable legacy that supports our community for years to come.

What type of donor are you—scattered, results-focused, just getting started, or deep into it already? 

There’s no single “right” type of donor. Everyone is different, whether you already have a fund at the community foundation or are considering starting one. Whatever your “type,” our team can work with you at every stage to organize your giving, explore causes you care about, and shape a plan that fits your goals. 

Step by step, it starts with “love of humanity”

Philanthropy may sound like a big word, but its meaning is beautifully simple. The team at the community foundation loves reflecting on philanthropy as a “love of humanity,” especially as we help you move into action with a few important first steps. Discover what happens when we meet for the first time to explore your charitable priorities and the impact you envision.

Thank you for being part of the community foundation! We look forward to working with you and your family. Please reach out anytime you are considering adding or updating elements in your charitable plan. Whether you’ve been giving for years or are just beginning to explore what philanthropy means to you, your commitment plays a vital role in building a stronger, more vibrant community.

—Your community foundation

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Rethinking legacy: Balancing gifts to heirs with the community’s future

Next time you meet with your estate planning attorney, it may be a good idea to check in on your long-term plans and ask yourself questions you might not yet have considered. Some planners, for example, report that more and more clients are reconsidering an automatic estate distribution to heirs. Instead, their clients are evaluating what type of legacies make the most sense and working hard to prepare children and grandchildren to receive that wealth. Times are changing, and regular, careful estate plan reviews with your advisors are more important than ever. 

Here are three interesting emerging themes:

They don’t need it—or want it.

Sometimes it makes good financial sense for heirs to disclaim inheritances from their parents. This Wall Street Journal article (subscription required) is instructive, noting that heirs can sometimes benefit from refusing an inheritance, allowing assets—especially tax-heavy ones like traditional IRAs—to pass to contingent beneficiaries in a more tax-efficient way. Legal disclaimers provide post-death flexibility for families to adjust estate plans in response to current circumstances, though they must be executed carefully to comply with strict rules.

Strategic giving leads to local giving.

High net worth donors are becoming more intentional and strategic in their charitable giving, focusing on outcomes, alignment with personal values, and long-term impact rather than making purely reactive or broad-based donations. Alongside these changes is a growing preference for supporting local organizations, as donors increasingly want to see the direct effects of their contributions within their own communities.

Hands-on local involvement and proactive planning go hand in hand.

Donors using donor-advised funds are particularly locally focused, as evidenced by volunteering statistics. These donors are significantly more likely to volunteer their time—especially within their own communities—demonstrating deeper, hands-on engagement with the organizations they support. This combination of higher volunteerism and frequent giving suggests that donor-advised fund donors are not only more active philanthropically but also more personally connected to local causes and community impact.

To learn how these trends might apply to your situation, please reach out to the community foundation! Our team is happy to work with you and your advisors to structure a charitable giving plan—including a donor-advised fund, cause-specific fund, legacy fund, and more—that meets your overall financial and estate planning goals while also ensuring that your wealth can help improve the quality of life in our region for years to come. 

What type of donor are you—scattered, results-focused, just getting started, or deep into it already? 

Even if you are new to charitable giving, you’ve likely discovered that there’s no single “right” way to approach making a difference. That’s not only normal—it’s a strength! Recent research reinforces what many donors already know intuitively: generosity looks different for everyone. Indeed, more than 80% of Americans report giving in some form, whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or civic involvement. The takeaway is simple: there’s no single profile of a “typical” donor. Instead, each person brings their unique values, goals, and experiences to philanthropy.

That’s where the community foundation comes in. No matter where you are on your charitable journey—just getting started, giving consistently, or thinking about long-term legacy—we’re here to help you shape a plan that fits.

Consider a few examples that may feel familiar.

Here, there, and everywhere

Some donors find themselves giving generously but without a clear structure. They support a wide range of causes, say “yes” when needs arise, and genuinely want to make a difference, but may not have a coordinated approach. If that sounds like you, a fund at the community foundation can help bring everything together. Many donors use a donor-advised fund to organize their giving in one place, making it easier to support favorite organizations while also stepping back to think more strategically about long-term impact. Over time, some donors expand their approach to include additional tools, such as field-of-interest funds or legacy plans, creating a more intentional and lasting charitable “portfolio.”

Results matter

Other donors are highly motivated to give but want to be sure their contributions are making a real difference. If you’ve ever paused before making a gift because you weren’t certain how funds would be used—or wondered how to identify the most effective organizations—you’re not alone. The community foundation can serve as a trusted partner in these moments, helping you evaluate opportunities, understand community needs, and connect with organizations that are delivering meaningful results. For many donors, this added layer of insight turns hesitation into confidence and leads to deeper engagement over time.

Starting small

Some donors feel strongly about giving but worry that their financial situation limits what they can do. They may already be supporting causes they care about, even in small ways, but assume that more structured or impactful philanthropy is out of reach. In reality, many donors begin with modest contributions and build from there. Establishing a fund at the community foundation—even with a relatively small initial gift—can provide a simple, organized way to give. And if you are thinking about the future, incorporating a legacy gift into a will, trust, or beneficiary designation can create a lasting impact without affecting current finances.

Already rolling!

Of course, many donors are already deeply engaged. You may be actively involved with nonprofits, serving on boards, or exploring more sophisticated ways to align your charitable giving with your financial and estate plans. In these cases, the community foundation can help you expand your impact even further—whether through gifts of appreciated assets, multi-generational giving strategies, or long-term endowment planning that supports the community for years to come.

The common thread across all of these examples is that there’s no single starting point—and no single destination. Charitable giving evolves over time, often alongside changes in your life, your family, and your priorities. What matters most is having the flexibility and support to adapt your approach as those changes occur.

That’s exactly what the community foundation is designed to provide. Whether you’re organizing your giving, exploring new opportunities, or planning for the future, our team is here to help you make the most of your philanthropy in a way that reflects your values and goals.

We’re honored to work with donors at every stage of the journey—and we look forward to continuing the conversation.

Step by step, it starts with “love of humanity”

The word “philanthropy” comes from Greek roots, meaning, quite simply, a love of humanity. It’s a big word—but at its heart, it reflects something very personal: the desire to help others, strengthen community, and make a difference in ways that matter to you.

For some people, philanthropy means supporting a favorite nonprofit year after year. For others, it means volunteering time, responding to urgent needs, or thinking carefully about how to create lasting change. However it shows up, philanthropy is not one-size-fits-all. It’s as unique as the people behind it.

That’s where the community foundation comes in.

At the community foundation, we believe that everyone has a philanthropic instinct—it just looks different from person to person. Our role is to help you discover, shape, and act on that instinct in a way that reflects your values, your experiences, and your goals. Whether you already have a clear vision or are just beginning to explore what matters most, we’re here to help you connect the dots.

But how, exactly, does this work? What does it look like in real life to get started with the community foundation?

Often, the starting point is simply a conversation. Here’s what you can expect during your first meeting with a member of the community foundation team.

We’ll review your favorite charities.

Together, we’ll take a look at a list of the charities you already support and review each organization to uncover the reasons you love and support each one. This is a crucial starting point because the community foundation is here to help you make the most of what you are already doing, and then build on that to discover how you can get even more involved.

We’ll chat about your story.

We enjoy hearing from our donors about the experiences that have shaped their lives. As we begin this part of our conversation, we’ll explore questions that help unlock where your charitable passions may lie and why. What challenges have you or your loved ones faced? What opportunities made a difference for you? Often, the causes we care about most are connected to our own journeys. Reflecting on these moments can help clarify where you feel most motivated to give.

We’ll talk about what’s going on in our community.

Which local issues capture your attention or spark a strong emotional response? It might be something you read in the news, a local initiative you hear about, or a cause a friend supports. These moments are often clues pointing toward what matters most to you. The community foundation can help provide context for these issues and share information about which organizations are directly addressing the local challenges that top your list.  

We’ll connect with your advisors about structure.

As your charitable purposes come into focus, we would welcome the opportunity to join you for a meeting with your estate planning and tax advisors, or even provide articles you can share with your advisors about charitable giving structures that might help you achieve your goals. Whether your charitable goals are best served via a donor-advised fund, unrestricted fund, legacy gift, IRA beneficiary designation, or anything in between, the community foundation can help implement your charitable intentions in ways that your advisors recommend are best aligned with the rest of your financial plan. 

As we take these steps together, remember that you don’t have to have all the answers right away. Philanthropy is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to start small, to ask questions, and to adjust your approach along the way. Whether you’re ready to establish a fund, looking to deepen your involvement, or simply beginning to think about how you want to give back, the community foundation is here to help. Together, we can turn your love of humanity into meaningful, lasting impact—right here in the community we share.

Due diligence for charitable giving, tax season regrets, and addressing community needs

Hello from the community foundation!

With tax season now behind us and spring in full swing, this is a natural time to reflect, reset, and look ahead. Many of you have recently revisited your charitable giving as part of conversations with your advisors, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support you along the way. Whether you’ve been giving for years or are just beginning to think more intentionally about your philanthropy, this moment offers a valuable opportunity to build confidence and clarity in your approach.

As always, the community foundation team is here to share practical insights and support your charitable goals—especially as economic conditions continue to evolve and community needs remain dynamic.

–Making thoughtful charitable giving decisions can feel overwhelming at times. The community foundation can help you feel more confident in your philanthropy by offering local insight, strategic guidance, and due diligence support as you evaluate opportunities.

–Now that tax season has wrapped up, consider reflecting on what worked well—and what you might do differently next year. This is the perfect time to review a few common regrets and simple steps you can take now to improve both the impact and efficiency of your giving going forward.

–If you are watching the markets closely this spring, you are not alone. It’s more important than ever to stay engaged in philanthropy. The community foundation can help you evaluate ways to expand your charitable giving portfolio to include support for the community foundation’s mission—helping strengthen the ability to respond to community needs and serve future generations.

Thank you for being part of the community foundation. It is our honor to work alongside you as you build a charitable plan that reflects your values and makes a lasting difference.

—Your community foundation

THIS MONTH’S

FEATURED ARTICLES

Charitable giving, due diligence, and how the community foundation can help

Many people want to be thoughtful in their charitable giving, but that doesn’t always make the process easy. In fact, one of the most common challenges donors face is simply feeling confident in their decisions. With so many worthy organizations, urgent needs, and compelling opportunities, it can be difficult to know where to start—or how to know if you’re making the biggest possible impact.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you’re giving to the “right” organizations, you are not alone. This is where the community foundation can help.

One of the most valuable roles the community foundation plays is serving as a trusted, knowledgeable partner in your philanthropy. Our team works closely with nonprofit organizations across the region and maintains a deep understanding of the issues shaping our community. This allows us to provide more than just options—we can offer context. For example, if you’re interested in supporting a particular cause, we can share insight into how that issue is affecting our community right now, which organizations are actively addressing it, and where additional support could make a meaningful difference.

In addition to offering perspective, the community foundation can also assist with due diligence. While many organizations are doing excellent work, it’s natural to want reassurance that your gifts are being used effectively and in alignment with your intentions. Our team can help review organizations’ missions, programs, and governance practices, and provide guidance based on our experience working with nonprofits of all sizes and focus areas. This can be especially helpful if you are considering supporting an organization that is new to you or responding to a timely or urgent need.

For many donors, this combination of insight and due diligence leads to greater confidence—not just in individual gifts, but in their overall approach to philanthropy.

Just as importantly, working with the community foundation can help you step back and think more strategically about your giving. Rather than approaching each donation as a separate decision, you may find it helpful to consider how your gifts fit together over time. Are there certain causes you’d like to prioritize? Would you like to balance immediate needs with long-term impact? Are there opportunities to involve your family in the process?

These are the types of conversations the community foundation is here to support. Whether you prefer to remain hands-on in selecting organizations or would like help narrowing your focus, our team can tailor our approach to fit your preferences and goals.

The result is not a rigid plan, but a more confident and informed path forward.

Philanthropy is personal, and there is no single “right” way to give. But having a trusted partner can make the process feel more manageable—and more meaningful. The community foundation is honored to work alongside you, helping ensure that your generosity is guided by both your values and a clear understanding of how to make the greatest impact.

Tax season debrief: Three common regrets

If you’re like many donors, the weeks leading up to tax deadlines tend to bring charitable giving into sharper focus. You may have finalized contributions, gathered documentation, or had conversations with your CPA about how your philanthropy fits into your overall financial plan.

After the deadline has passed, it’s tempting to move on and not revisit these decisions until later in the year. But the weeks immediately following filing your tax return are actually one of the best times to take a step back and reflect—while the details are still fresh. This is especially important in 2026 because so many tax laws have changed.

If you experienced any surprises this tax season, that’s especially worth discussing. Often, small adjustments made early in the year—rather than in December—can lead to better outcomes both financially and philanthropically. 

Here are common regrets and how the community foundation can help for the 2026 tax year and beyond. 

Giving cash instead of appreciated assets

Many donors regret using cash or credit cards to make large donations instead of gifting appreciated assets (such as stocks, mutual funds, or real estate) held for more than one year. 

The regret: Selling assets to donate the cash results in paying capital gains tax on the profit.

The better move: By donating the asset directly to your fund at the community foundation or to another qualified charity, you may be able to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and deduct the full fair market value if you itemize. 

Missing out on “bunching” to surpass the standard deduction

The standard deduction was increased under 2017 changes to the tax laws and has stayed high ever since. This can cause missed opportunities for charitable deductions.

The regret: Spreading donations evenly across the years and not exceeding the standard deduction threshold.

The better move: "Bunching" multiple years of donations into a single tax year by using a donor-advised fund at the community foundation to exceed the standard deduction and claim a tax deduction for that year. 

Pro tip: Planning around tax rules is especially important for 2026 and future tax years because not only is the standard deduction still high, but also charitable deductions are now subject to a 0.5% “floor” and a 35% cap. Be sure to talk with your tax advisors early in the year to structure a plan that will work best for you.

Lack of proper documentation 

Sadly, many donors fail to keep adequate records, leading to potential deductions being disallowed by the IRS. 

The mistake: Failing to get written acknowledgment from the charity for donations over $250, or not having a bank record for smaller cash gifts.

The problem: Without documentation, even genuine donations can be disallowed upon audit. 

Honorable mentions

Beyond the “big three,” donors also report regrets such as:

–Overlooking IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). Taxpayers 70½ or older forget they can directly donate to charity from their IRAs, which can help satisfy RMD obligations without increasing their taxable income. (Note that changes may be coming that could allow you to use QCDs to fund your donor-advised fund at the community foundation. Currently, QCDs can fund other types of funds at the community foundation, but not donor-advised funds.)  

–Donating to non-qualified entities. Giving to organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits, meaning that these donations are not tax-deductible. Working with the experienced team at the community foundation can help you avoid this pitfall. 

–Overvaluing non-cash donations. Inflating the value of donated goods (such as clothing or used cars) rather than using their fair market value (thrift store value). This could come back to bite you in an audit!

Hoping to avoid tax season remorse next year? Please reach out to the team at the community foundation. We want to be your first call on all matters of charitable giving. Whether you established a fund at the community foundation years ago, recently became a fund holder, or are considering doing so this year, we are here for you! 

Deepening your impact in times of need

Many people are not fully aware of the extent to which charitable organizations shape everyday life in our communities. From social services to education, healthcare, and the arts, nonprofits touch nearly every aspect of quality of life. Americans give hundreds of billions of dollars to charity each year, supporting roughly 1.9 million organizations nationwide. These organizations often become even more essential during periods of economic uncertainty, when demand for services tends to rise just as resources can feel more constrained.

That dynamic is especially relevant as many are watching the markets closely this spring. Even the possibility of a downturn can influence financial decisions, including charitable giving. It is natural to feel more cautious. At the same time, history shows that community needs often increase during challenging economic periods—making it all the more important to stay engaged in philanthropy.

As you think about your charitable giving this year, this may be a good moment to step back and consider not only where you give, but also how you structure your giving for long-term impact. In particular, it is important for donors and fund holders to consider expanding their portfolio of giving to include giving to the community foundation itself.

This can take several forms, each of which plays a meaningful role.

Operating support

Some donors choose to support the community foundation’s operations across generations. This type of support helps ensure that the foundation can continue serving as a trusted resource—connecting donors to causes, responding to emerging needs, and stewarding charitable funds with care and expertise well into the future. It is an investment not only in today’s giving, but also in the long-term strength of the philanthropic infrastructure in our community.

Support for grant programs

Other donors focus on increasing the community foundation’s grantmaking resources so that more money can flow from the community foundation to nonprofits that are helping those in need, especially when times are tough. Contributions to unrestricted or broadly focused funds allow the community foundation to respond quickly and thoughtfully to the most pressing challenges facing our region. During periods of economic strain, this flexibility can be especially powerful, enabling support to reach the people and organizations that need it most, at the moment it matters most.

A hybrid approach

In many cases, donors choose to do both—continuing to support favorite organizations directly or through the community foundation’s grant programs while also allocating a portion of their giving to the community foundation itself. This approach can help balance personal philanthropic interests with broader community impact, creating a more resilient and adaptable giving strategy.

The community foundation’s unique role is what makes any or all of these approaches so effective. As a perpetual institution governed by a local board of directors, the community foundation is designed to serve the community not just today, but across generations. Our team maintains deep knowledge of local needs, works closely with nonprofit partners, and is positioned to deploy resources where they can do the greatest good over time.

Especially in moments when the future feels uncertain, expanding your portfolio of giving in this way can provide an added layer of confidence. You can continue supporting the causes you care about while also strengthening the community foundation’s ability to lead, respond, and make a difference—now and in the years ahead.

We are honored to work alongside you as you consider how your philanthropy can support both immediate needs and lasting impact for our entire community.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

Women’s History Month, what your CPA needs to know, and building your charitable plan

Hello from the community foundation! 

Spring is almost here, and we’re excited to continue our conversations with so many of you about your charitable priorities for 2026. It’s fun to see your generosity and impact take shape, whether you’ve already established your fund at the community foundation, are considering doing so, or regularly support the community foundation’s initiatives. 

As always, we are happy to share tips and trends to help guide your philanthropy as you support the causes that mean the most to you.

—Women are increasingly shaping the future of philanthropy—within families, businesses, and communities. During Women’s History Month, the community foundation is happy to help you explore how thoughtful planning can translate your own growing influence and resources into lasting, multi-generational impact.

—New tax rules taking effect in 2026 could change how—and when—your charitable gifts deliver maximum benefit. A quick review with your CPA and the community foundation team can help ensure your giving strategy stays both tax-efficient and aligned with your goals.

—If you’ve been meaning to “do more” with your philanthropy, you’re not alone. Discover how small, intentional steps—taken over time with the community foundation by your side—can help you build a charitable plan that evolves with your life, your family, and your vision for impact.

The community foundation is honored to be your home for charitable giving, and we appreciate the opportunity to work together. Thank you! 

—Your community foundation

THIS MONTH’S

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Women and philanthropy: Impact across generations

March is Women’s History Month, and it’s a great time to check in on the increasing role of women in philanthropy. At the community foundation, we are honored to work with women across multiple generations, such as:

–A retired executive supporting community foundation initiatives with gifts from an IRA

–A business leader who is building a culture of giving in the workplace

–A young adult who is learning about community impact through a family donor-advised fund at the community foundation established by her parents

And many, many more! 

Women’s growing control over wealth is fueling transformative potential to reshape philanthropy. According to research-based analysis published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, over the next decade, trillions of dollars will transfer to women through inheritance, earnings, and outliving male partners in heterosexual couples. 

What’s more, research from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, including Women Give 2024: 20 Years of Gender & Giving Trends, supports what many are seeing firsthand: women are increasingly leading charitable decisions within their families. Sometimes this shift happens gradually—a daughter becomes more involved in conversations about family giving, or a spouse who once deferred decisions begins shaping philanthropic priorities more directly. In other cases, the transition is sudden and deeply personal, such as after the death of a spouse or parent, when a woman assumes sole responsibility for stewarding both financial assets and charitable intent.

You’re likely familiar with high-profile examples such as MacKenzie Scott and Melinda Gates. But the trend is much more widespread than just a few big names. Indeed, women often give more generously, more broadly, and more collaboratively than men. Notably, the ways women approach philanthropy differ significantly from men’s, especially with respect to motivations such as empathy, personal priorities, and firsthand involvement.  

As women step more fully into philanthropic leadership, thoughtful planning can help ensure that their giving remains impactful and sustainable. Here are three ways the community foundation often partners with women and families to implement philanthropic intentions:

Creating a family philanthropy vehicle
A donor-advised fund at the community foundation can provide a flexible structure for collaborative giving. Many women choose to involve children or grandchildren as co-advisors, turning grantmaking into an opportunity to share values and learn together about community needs. These funds can be established with tax-efficient assets—such as appreciated stock or other complex assets—helping maximize both impact and stewardship.

Focusing on a cause for the long term
For donors who feel called to support a particular issue—education, healthcare, the arts, emergency assistance, or another area of personal significance—a field-of-interest fund can provide both focus and flexibility. For donors age 70 ½ or older, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to certain types of funds at the community foundation (excluding donor-advised funds) from an IRA may offer an efficient way to support charitable priorities during life. Furthermore, naming a donor-advised fund as an IRA beneficiary can extend that support well beyond the donor’s lifetime.

Strengthening a favorite organization
Some women dedicate years of service to a specific nonprofit. In these cases, strategic planning can ensure that commitment endures. Grants can address immediate needs such as staffing or infrastructure, while a designated fund (an eligible recipient of a QCD) can provide dependable annual support for generations to come.

Women’s philanthropy continues to shape our communities in profound ways. Whether leadership transitions happen gradually or through life-changing events, the opportunity to align generosity with long-term purpose is powerful. 

As always, the community foundation is here for women and here for everyone. It is our honor to support your philanthropy—helping ensure it reflects both enduring legacy and evolving purpose. We look forward to our next conversation! 

Why 2026 is different: Four tax-time reminders

It’s tax season, which means it’s a terrific time to ensure that your charitable giving goals are on track. If you’ve already established a fund at the community foundation, please reach out to discuss your charitable priorities for 2026 and beyond. If you’ve not yet established a fund but are considering doing so, we hope you’ll reach out, too!

Even if a professional prepares your income tax return, it’s useful to quickly review a few basic rules to pave the way for the conversation about charitable planning, especially in light of key tax law changes effective on January 1, 2026. 

Here are four items to discuss with (and forward to!) your CPA.

New rules for itemizing charitable deductions

As in prior years, charitable contributions are deductible only if you itemize your deductions. If your total itemized deductions do not exceed the standard deduction, your charitable gifts will not generate an additional tax benefit (with one exception discussed below). 

What’s new for 2026 is a threshold for itemizers: charitable deductions are allowed only to the extent they exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income. In practical terms, this functions like a deductible. If your AGI is $200,000, for example, the first $1,000 of charitable contributions will not be deductible. Only amounts above that level are eligible, subject to existing percentage-of-income limits. For some people, this change may make it more appealing to “bundle” or “bunch” contributions into a single year—such as through a donor-advised fund at the community foundation—so that total giving comfortably exceeds both the standard deduction and the new AGI floor.

In addition, beginning in 2026, the value of itemized charitable deductions is capped at a 35% rate. So, even if you are in the 37% federal bracket, your charitable deduction will not offset income at your full marginal rate. While philanthropy is rarely motivated solely by taxes, this adjustment may influence the timing, structure, or asset selection for major gifts. Coordinating early with both your tax advisors and the community foundation team can help you evaluate the most efficient approach.

Finally, in a bit of good news, the long-standing rule allowing cash gifts to qualified public charities (such as your fund at the community foundation) to be deducted up to 60% of AGI has been made permanent (after clearing the new 0.5% AGI floor). Gifts of appreciated assets—such as stock or real estate—are generally deductible up to 30% of AGI. 

New deduction for non-itemizers

Beginning in 2026, even if you do not itemize deductions on your tax return, you may claim an above-the-line charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for single filers or up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, for cash gifts to qualifying charities. Because this deduction reduces income before AGI is calculated, it can provide a meaningful benefit. It does not apply to non-cash gifts, and certain types of funds—such as donor-advised funds—are not eligible for this particular deduction. Even so, this new rule creates planning opportunities for many households who previously saw no tax impact from their annual giving. Keep this in mind for young adult children who do not yet itemize and who would like to start getting involved in charitable giving.

Document your charitable deductions

Not surprisingly, documentation rules remain in place. Gifts over $250 require a written acknowledgment from the charity. (The community foundation provides this for gifts into a fund or to the community foundation itself.) Non-cash gifts valued at $500 or more require IRS Form 8283, and qualified appraisals are required for donations over $5,000, such as closely held stock or real estate. 

If you organize your giving through a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, you might consider structuring your annual giving so that you receive a single tax receipt for your annual contribution of cash, stock, or other assets to the fund. Your CPA won’t need separate receipts for each grant the fund distributes to your favorite charities. Many donors find this consolidated recordkeeping especially helpful at tax time. 

If you are age 70 ½ or older, consider gifts from your IRAs

Qualified Charitable Distributions may be even more valuable under the new tax rules. If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can use a QCD to direct funds from your IRA to certain types of charitable funds at the community foundation and other public charities. The 2026 annual limit is $111,000 per taxpayer, allowing you to transfer significant amounts to charity without including the distribution in taxable income. QCDs can also satisfy required minimum distributions if you’ve reached the age where those apply. 

Importantly, QCDs are not affected by the new itemized deduction floor or deduction caps, making them an especially efficient strategy for many retirees. As a reminder, QCDs cannot be directed to donor-advised funds, but they can support designated, field-of-interest, or unrestricted funds at the community foundation.

The charitable tax rules have always required thoughtful planning. In 2026, that planning is simply more nuanced. We encourage you to forward this summary to your CPA or bring it to your next meeting. When you do, please keep us in the loop. It is our honor to work alongside your tax, legal, and financial advisors to help structure your giving in a way that aligns with both your philanthropic goals and your overall financial plan.

Building your charitable plan, brick by brick

Most of us can think of something we fully intend to do—someday. Organize the photos. Update the estate plan. Have that family meeting. Reboot the exercise routine. Charitable planning often falls into that same category.

We hear from many generous people who care deeply about their community and fully intend to “do more” with their philanthropy. But life is busy. The calendar fills up. Markets fluctuate. Family and business priorities shift. It can feel easier to wait for the perfect moment—when things feel calmer, clearer, or more certain.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. And it is not a sign of indifference. More often, it reflects uncertainty. You may wonder:

–Am I giving to the right organizations?

–Am I committing too much too soon?

–What if my priorities change?
–What if I want to involve my children later?

When every decision feels permanent, it is natural to pause. The community foundation can help you shift gears from intention to action. Here are three principles that guide our work with donors in this situation.

Take it one step at a time

One of the most helpful mental shifts is to think of charitable planning as a multi-step process rather than a single, all-or-nothing decision. In many cases, a tax planning need takes precedence because of concrete deadlines and tax year considerations. Our team understands! That’s why we are happy to help you establish a donor-advised fund, for example, to meet an immediate tax planning need. With that time-sensitive box checked, we’ll move on to discussing how you’d like to deploy the fund’s resources, involve family members in the decision-making process, and adjust your giving as your interests evolve.

Keep it simple

Sometimes the hardest part of giving is not generosity—it is decision fatigue.

You might be asking yourself, “Where should I give?” Often, that’s not the best question to ask right out of the gate, especially if you are new to philanthropy. The team at the community foundation can help you work through key threshold questions including:

–As I look back on my charitable giving, what areas of focus seem to jump out? 

–What specific charities have I supported over the years? 

–Why have I supported those charities?
–Is there anything about my areas of focus that I’d like to change going forward?

As we explore these questions together, our team can provide research on local nonprofits, share insights about community needs, and facilitate family conversations about values and priorities. 

Adopt long-term thinking

Community change does not happen overnight. You may find that your charitable intentions include not only providing annual support to favorite charities, but also making a meaningful difference over many years or even many decades that extend well beyond your lifetime. 

The team at the community foundation can help you structure not only a donor-advised fund to help organize your annual giving, but also other types of funds and a legacy plan. Many families, for example, complement their donor-advised fund by also establishing a field-of-interest fund to support a particular cause with built-in flexibility as community needs change. Similarly, a designated fund can provide long-term support to specific organizations, and an unrestricted fund allows you to leverage the community foundation’s deep expertise and perpetual structure to address emerging community priorities for generations to come. You can name one or more of these funds as a beneficiary in your estate plan, whether through a gift in your will or trust or through a beneficiary designation on an IRA.

The bottom line is that the community foundation is here for you along your entire charitable giving journey. We’ll work together to build and implement your philanthropy plan brick by brick over the years to come, involving your tax advisors and family members at key junctures and always ensuring that your charitable intentions—even as they evolve over time—are fulfilled.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

Thoughtful giving, steady generosity, and choosing the right tools for what matters most

Charitable giving is deeply personal, and most donors take great care to put a plan in place that reflects their values. Over time, though, circumstances change—families evolve, priorities shift, and the world around us looks different than it once did. This month’s insights are designed to help you pause, reflect, and feel confident that your charitable intentions remain clear, flexible, and well supported as you work side-by-side with the community foundation team.

Here’s what we’re sharing this month:

—Your charitable intentions deserve an occasional check-in. Once a charitable plan is established, it can be easy to assume everything will unfold exactly as intended. A simple annual review with the community foundation team can help ensure that your wishes are clearly documented, your fund arrangements remain accurate, and your giving continues to reflect what matters most to you and your family. 

—Continuing generosity during uncertain times. Periods of uncertainty naturally prompt reflection about finances and priorities, including charitable giving. The community foundation team is here to help you set the pace, structure, or focus of your giving—without losing sight of your goals and purpose. We’ll help ensure that your giving is meaningful and sustainable, even when external circumstances feel unsettled.

—Choosing the right charitable tools for your goals. The causes you care about are only part of the picture when you work with the community foundation; the type of fund you choose also shapes how your giving works over time. From donor-advised and designated funds to unrestricted and field-of-interest funds, the community foundation has something for everyone. Learn how our team adopts a “portfolio” approach to ensure that your philanthropy grows and adapts alongside your life.

As always, the community foundation is here to support you. Whether you are reviewing an existing plan, navigating uncertainty, or exploring new ways to give, our team is honored to serve as a resource and partner. Please reach out anytime—we would love to talk with you and help you feel confident about the next chapter of your giving.

—Your community foundation

THIS MONTH’S

FEATURED ARTICLES

Your charitable intentions: Plan to plan!

Many individuals and families spend a great deal of time setting up a charitable plan they feel good about. For example, they establish a donor-advised or other type of fund at the community foundation, update IRA beneficiary designations so that the fund receives the proceeds, and leave general instructions about the types of causes they want to support. Then life moves on, and the plan sits quietly in place—often for years—while the individual or family assumes everything will work exactly as intended.

The challenge is that charitable plans can outlive the paperwork. Over time, family structures change, attorneys and financial advisors retire, organizations merge or shift direction, and donors’ own priorities evolve. Even when your charitable intentions remain strong, the documents that express those intentions can become outdated without anyone noticing. This can create confusion later, especially for family members or advisors who are trying to carry out your wishes during a stressful time.

A simple way to avoid this is to treat charitable planning the way you treat other important parts of your financial life: review it periodically. That does not mean you need to overhaul your plan every year. It simply means taking a moment to confirm that what is written down still reflects what you want.

For example, if you have a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, it is a great idea to meet with our team once a year to review where things stand. We’ll go over key information such as:

–Confirming that successor advisor designations are current and that the people you named still understand and are willing to carry out your wishes

–Evaluating the idea of leaving a portion of your fund to support the community foundation’s mission following your death

–Confirming that your attorney has included the correct fund name and language in your will or trust

–If you have named your fund as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy, confirming that the fund is correctly named and that your tax and financial advisors have copies for their records

–Considering ways to get more involved with charitable giving during your lifetime, such as by including children and grandchildren in decision making

–Developing a brief statement of purpose to maintain in the community foundation’s permanent file that explains why you care about certain causes and what you hope their giving will accomplish over time

Please remember that it is our pleasure to meet with you for these check-ins! The community foundation is your home for charitable giving, and we are here for you. 

Even a brief conversation once a year can give you peace of mind and strengthen the long-term impact of your giving.

Eye on the storms: Keep giving

Uncertain times often cause people to pause and reassess. Whether the uncertainty comes from markets, employment changes, health concerns, or the general feeling that the world is unpredictable, it is natural to wonder what this means for your financial plan. For many donors, that uncertainty also raises a question about charitable giving: should I slow down, stop, or continue?

There is no single right answer, and the community foundation will never suggest that you give beyond what feels sustainable. At the same time, many donors discover that the choice is not simply “give as usual” or “stop entirely.” Often, the best approach is to adjust your plan in a way that preserves generosity while matching your current reality.

Please reach out to the team at the community foundation to evaluate strategies that are the best fit for you. For example: 

–For many people, pacing is a practical strategy. In other words, instead of making one large gift, you might spread gifts across the year or across multiple years.

–Adjusting how much you give is always an option. Some donors shift from larger one-time gifts to steady recurring gifts because it feels easier to manage. Other donors do the opposite: they make an early-year gift when they feel confident and then reassess later. 

–Some donors choose to continue supporting a core group of organizations while reducing the number of additional gifts they make. 

–Other donors focus on supporting immediate and urgent needs identified by the community foundation, and then returning to broader giving later.

For people who have established a fund at the community foundation, flexibility is often one of the biggest benefits. If you use a donor-advised fund, you can contribute when it makes sense for your situation, then recommend grants over time. If you prefer a more defined approach, other types of funds may provide the structure you want while still allowing you to respond to changing community needs.

Uncertainty can also be a moment to revisit why you give. Many donors find that charitable giving is one of the most grounding parts of their lives when things feel unsettled. Giving can be a way to stay connected to the community, reinforce values, and help stabilize organizations that serve people who are struggling. For that reason, some donors choose to continue giving even if they adjust the pace or the focus.

The community foundation is here to help you think through these choices without pressure. We can help you evaluate options that fit your goals, connect you with information about community needs, and support you in building a plan that feels both meaningful and sustainable. If you are feeling uncertain, reach out. Often, a brief conversation can clarify what generosity can look like in this season—and help you feel confident about your next step.

What type of fund, or funds, is right for you?

At the community foundation, we know that charitable giving is deeply personal—and that choosing the right tools matters just as much as choosing the causes you care about. 

Whether you are considering establishing your first fund with the community foundation or considering adding another fund to complement the ones you already have, it can be helpful to step back and look at how different options support different goals. 

Donor-advised fund 

Donor-advised funds are one of the most popular “baseline” charitable giving tools because they make it simple to support a wide range of nonprofits while maintaining a clear, organized approach to philanthropy. With a donor-advised fund, you can make contributions of cash, stock, or other property at your convenience, and these gifts are eligible for a charitable tax deduction in the year of the gift. Separately, the donor-advised fund allows you to recommend grants to your favorite IRS-qualified charities over time. You can select a name for your donor-advised fund and, if you choose, limit how much personal information is shared with recipient organizations.

Designated fund

Perhaps you are instead (or also) focused on making a lasting impact on a single organization that has played an important role in your life. In that case, a designated fund may be the right addition to your charitable portfolio. A designated fund provides ongoing, predictable support to a specific nonprofit—either through regular distributions or grants made as needed. Because the community foundation provides stewardship of the fund’s assets, a designated fund offers stability and continuity for the organization it benefits. This type of fund can be especially helpful if you want to “bunch” multiple years of giving into a single year for tax purposes while ensuring continued support for a favorite charity over time. Plus, if you are age 70 ½ or older, a designated fund (unlike a donor-advised fund) can receive Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA. 

Unrestricted fund or field-of-interest fund

Some donors are drawn to a different approach: addressing the community’s most pressing needs, both now and in the future, while relying on professional insight to guide that work. For these donors, an unrestricted fund offers powerful flexibility. Unrestricted funds allow the community foundation to direct resources where they are needed most as circumstances change—whether that means responding to a crisis, supporting emerging opportunities, or addressing long-term challenges. These funds play a critical role in the community’s ability to adapt and thrive, and they create a legacy of giving that remains relevant for generations. A field-of-interest is similar to an unrestricted fund, except that you can name a specific area of need, such as the arts, education, or emergency assistance, to receive support from the fund. If you are age 70 ½ or older, remember that both unrestricted and field-of-interest funds are eligible recipients of Qualified Charitable Distributions.

Adopt a portfolio approach

Many donors choose to establish more than one type of fund over time, building a thoughtful and diversified approach to philanthropy that reflects both their values and their evolving priorities. 

Wherever you are along your charitable giving journey, the community foundation is here to help. It is our privilege to partner with you, provide guidance, and support your generosity in ways that strengthen the community we all care about. Please reach out anytime—we would love to talk with you.

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

Keeping your tax advisors informed, a checklist for the new year, and life insurance as a charitable giving tool

Happy New Year from the community foundation! 

Here we are in 2026! We are grateful to work with so many individuals, families, and businesses to support the causes you care about and make our whole community a better place. We look forward to the year ahead! 

As always, we’re happy to share what’s trending across the charitable giving world. Whether you established a fund at the community foundation years ago or recently, or you’re thinking about doing so this year, we are here for you. 

—New tax laws effective in 2026 could significantly influence how charitable giving fits into your overall financial plan. The community foundation team is happy to share information about key changes, including new deduction thresholds, limits for high-income donors, incentives for non-itemizers, and expanded opportunities for retirees. Consider sharing our updates with your tax advisors while also keeping the community foundation in the loop. We stand ready to assist! 

—A new year is the perfect time to bring intention and clarity to your charitable giving. Lean on the community foundation’s checklist of three simple steps to help you reflect on past giving, understand how new tax laws may affect you, and set meaningful goals for the year ahead. You won’t regret getting an early start, and our team is here to help. 

—Life insurance can be a powerful but often overlooked tool for achieving your charitable and legacy goals. The community foundation is happy to work with you and your advisors to evaluate life insurance strategies to complement your donor-advised fund and other giving vehicles as part of your well-rounded charitable plan.

Thank you for allowing us to serve as your home for charitable giving! We’d welcome a conversation about your goals for charitable giving in 2026 and beyond. Getting a jump on the planning process is a great way to start a new year off on the right foot.  

–Your community foundation

THIS MONTH’S

FEATURED ARTICLES

Charitable tax law changes for 2026: Keeping your tax advisors in the loop

At the community foundation, we are honored to serve as your home for charitable giving. Whether you support a wide range of charitable organizations in our community and across the country, focus your giving on a few favorite local causes, collaborate with the community foundation to invest in our region’s greatest needs, or all of the above, we are here for you!

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 not only because of the crucial priorities to improve our community’s quality of life, but also 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, and, most importantly, share with your tax advisors as soon as possible to determine how these changes might impact your situation. Forward this article to your tax advisors, or print it and take it to your next meeting.   

New threshold to itemize charitable deductions

One of the most significant shifts affects individual taxpayers who itemize their income tax deductions. Beginning this tax year, charitable contributions will only be deductible to the extent that they exceed 0.5% of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. In practical terms, this means that a portion of charitable giving will no longer generate a tax benefit. For example, a taxpayer with an adjusted gross income of $200,000 will see no deduction for the first $1,000 of charitable contributions made in a year. Only donations above that amount will be eligible for deduction, subject to existing percentage-of-income limits. This new rule functions much like a deductible in an insurance policy, raising the effective threshold for receiving a tax benefit and reducing the immediate incentive for smaller annual gifts among itemizers.

Limitation on itemized charitable deductions for high-income taxpayers

High-income taxpayers will face an additional limitation through a new cap on the value of itemized charitable deductions. Even if a donor is in the highest federal income tax bracket, the tax benefit of a charitable deduction will be limited to 35 percent of the contribution. As a result, taxpayers in the 37 percent bracket will no longer be able to offset their income at their full marginal rate when making charitable gifts. 

Good news for the 60% cap

Another important change provides greater certainty for donors who make substantial cash contributions. The long-standing rule allowing cash gifts to qualified public charities to be deducted up to 60 percent of adjusted gross income has been made permanent. After satisfying the new 0.5% AGI floor, donors may continue to deduct cash contributions up to this level, while non-cash gifts or contributions to certain types of organizations remain subject to lower percentage limits. This permanence preserves a relatively generous framework for major philanthropy even as other rules become more restrictive.

New incentive for non-itemizers

The new rules introduce an incentive for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions. Beginning with the 2026 tax year, individuals who claim the standard deduction will be allowed to take a limited charitable deduction above the line, meaning it reduces income before adjusted gross income is calculated. Single filers may deduct up to $1,000, while married couples filing jointly may deduct up to $2,000, provided the contributions are made in cash. This deduction is available in addition to the standard deduction and represents a meaningful expansion of tax benefits for charitable giving among non-itemizers, many of whom have received no tax benefit for donations in recent years. Note, however, that gifts to donor-advised funds are not eligible for this deduction, and neither are noncash gifts. This is unfortunate because both gifts to donor-advised funds and gifts of highly appreciated assets are useful tools that incentivize charitable giving.

QCDs may be even more useful

Retirees and older taxpayers will also see an important adjustment through an increase in the Qualified Charitable Distribution limit. Beginning in 2026, the annual amount that can be transferred directly from an individual retirement account to a qualified charity will increase, allowing taxpayers age 70 ½ and older to direct more funds to charitable causes without including those distributions in taxable income. Because Qualified Charitable Distributions can also count toward required minimum distributions, this higher limit enhances a tax-efficient giving strategy that is unaffected by itemized deduction limits, adjusted gross income floors, or caps on deduction value.

Limitations on corporate charitable deductions

Corporate donors are not exempt from the new framework. Starting in 2026, corporations may deduct charitable contributions only to the extent that those contributions exceed 1 percent of taxable income. Contributions below that threshold will not generate a current-year deduction, although amounts that exceed applicable limits may be carried forward to future tax years. This new floor is likely to influence corporate giving strategies, particularly for businesses that make consistent but relatively modest charitable contributions. The existing 10% cap on corporate charitable deductions remains in place. 

Again, we strongly encourage you to forward this information to your tax advisors. Please loop us into the conversation so that we can work alongside your attorney, financial advisor, and CPA to ensure that you’re set up to meet your charitable goals for 2026 through strategies that also align with your tax, financial, and estate planning objectives. Whether you cc us on an email, ask your advisor to get in touch with us directly, or pull everyone together on a quick call or Zoom, we are here for you and look forward to the conversation! 

Get started now: Your 2026 charitable giving checklist

Many people approach a new year with a genuine desire to be more intentional about their charitable giving. They know they want to make a difference, align their generosity with their values, and perhaps even involve their families—but they are often unsure where to begin. The combination of busy lives, changing tax laws, and an ever-growing number of worthy causes can make getting started feel overwhelming. The good news is that taking a few simple, thoughtful actions at the beginning of the year can bring clarity and confidence to your giving. 

Here are three first steps to inspire you:

Consider reviewing your 2025 charitable contributions with the team at the community foundation. 

Looking back at last year’s giving can be surprisingly helpful, especially when guided by professionals who understand both philanthropy and the local community. The community foundation can help you see the real-world impact of your gifts, identify patterns in your giving, and highlight opportunities you may not have considered. This review also creates a natural bridge to planning your 2026 support, whether that means refining your focus, adjusting gift amounts, or exploring new charitable vehicles. Just as important, it allows you to begin thinking strategically about future years, helping ensure that your generosity grows in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable.

Talk with your tax advisors as soon as possible about whether and how the new tax laws might impact your situation. 

Charitable giving is closely connected to tax and estate planning, and early conversations can help you make informed decisions before the year gets too far along. This is also an ideal time to revisit your estate plan and beneficiary designations. Many donors choose to include a gift to their donor-advised or other type of fund at the community foundation in their wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance policies, creating a lasting legacy that reflects their values. Coordinating these updates with your tax advisor and the community foundation can ensure your charitable intentions are clearly documented, tax-efficient, and aligned with your overall financial and estate planning goals.

Set goals for your charitable involvement in 2026. 

Rather than giving reactively, goal-setting allows you to be proactive and intentional about how you engage with the causes you care about. The community foundation can help you explore new and emerging charities, learn more about pressing needs in the community, and connect with organizations that align with your interests. Together, you and our team can create a plan for timing gifts throughout the year, whether through recurring contributions, single large gifts early in the year to help a favorite charity leap ahead, or strategic gifts of highly appreciated or complex assets. This approach not only makes giving more manageable but also helps ensure your generosity has the greatest possible impact.

As you look ahead, remember that you do not have to navigate charitable planning on your own. The community foundation is here to serve as a trusted partner—whether you are just getting started, refining an existing plan, or thinking about the legacy you want to leave for future generations. We invite you to reach out anytime to ask questions, explore ideas, or take the next step in your giving journey. We are honored to help you turn your charitable intentions into meaningful, lasting impact.

Underappreciated and overlooked: Why life insurance matters to charitable giving

Even in an era when term life insurance policies may appear to dominate, many people still hold whole life, variable life, or universal life insurance policies. In many cases, when the original need for a policy goes away (e.g., children become independent or other assets have increased to fill risk gaps), a policyholder may be left wondering what to do with the policy. 

Before cashing in a policy, it’s worth knowing that life insurance can play a meaningful and often overlooked role in charitable giving. A common approach is naming a charity as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, either in full or in part. This strategy enables a donor to make a significant future gift at a relatively modest current cost of the annual premiums, particularly when the policy is already in force. For someone who has established a donor-advised or other type of fund at the community foundation, this method may align well with estate planning goals because the death benefit passes directly to the fund outside of probate and may help reduce the taxable value of the estate.

Another way insurance policies are used in philanthropy is through the donation of an existing policy to the community foundation or other charitable organization. In this case, actual ownership of the policy is transferred to the charity, which then becomes both the owner and beneficiary. The donor may be eligible for an income tax deduction equal to the policy’s fair market value, generally based on its “interpolated terminal reserve” plus unearned premium, subject to applicable limitations. If the policy still requires premium payments, donors can continue funding those payments through additional tax-deductible contributions to the community foundation or other charity, effectively converting future premium dollars into charitable gifts.

Finally, donors can use insurance creatively in more advanced charitable planning strategies. For example, a donor may purchase a new policy specifically for charitable purposes, often using annual contributions to fund premiums over time, or combine insurance with vehicles such as charitable trusts or donor-advised funds to enhance long-term giving impact. In some cases, insurance helps replace wealth passed to charity so heirs are not financially disadvantaged, allowing donors to balance philanthropic intent with family goals. Through these approaches, insurance policies offer flexibility, leverage, and tax efficiency, making them a valuable tool in a well-rounded charitable giving plan.

If you are interested in learning more about how your life insurance policies can help you achieve your charitable goals, we encourage you to consult your financial advisor about the details and then reach out to the team at the community foundation. In particular, we are happy to help evaluate how life insurance gifts might fit alongside–or integrated with–other giving vehicles, such as donor-advised funds and legacy funds. We are here for you! 

The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

Countdown to 2026, QCDs and unrestricted giving, and “no kids” charitable planning

Hello from the community foundation! 

Thank you for the opportunity to work together! It is our honor to celebrate and recognize the conclusion of another year full of stories and examples of people like you who make a difference every day in our community through your advocacy, volunteerism, and financial support of our community’s charities. 

As we reflect on 2025, we’re sharing three insights that have resonated with many charitable individuals and families, many of whom have established a fund at the community foundation or are in the process of doing so right now! 

—It’s not over until it’s over, and we’re taking this opportunity to share practical year-end reminders, especially considering that, for taxpayers who itemize deductions, 2025 may be the best tax environment to maximize your charitable giving by donating appreciated stock to a donor-advised fund. And of course, if you are over the age of 70 ½, don’t forget to consider QCDs from IRAs as you check your beneficiary designations. The community foundation is here to help! 

—Unrestricted gifts are a powerful way for you and other donors to invest in long-term support for ever-evolving community needs. As a permanent, flexible, and trusted institution, the community foundation is here to help you evaluate how unrestricted gifts might be the perfect complement to your portfolio of giving, alongside your donor-advised fund and legacy gift, for example. QCDs are a particularly important way to support an unrestricted fund if you are 70 ½ or older.

—People who don’t have children often embrace intentional planning about their legacies and are statistically more likely to include charities in their estate plans. If you’re one of these people, reach out to the community foundation. We’ll help you set up charitable giving strategies to express your identity, integrate philanthropy into your estate and financial plans, and involve your extended family or younger relatives along your journey.

Whatever causes you support and wherever your charitable interests lie, the community is here for you. We are honored to serve as your home for charitable giving to help you organize your support for favorite charities and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who live in this wonderful place we call home. We wish you all the best for the season! 

–Your community foundation

Countdown to 2026: 10 tips for charitable giving

At the community foundation, we are honored to work with you and so many other families, individuals, and businesses to help organize your charitable giving and support favorite charities that make a difference in our community. As the year winds down, keep these 10 tips in mind:

–Remember that 2025 is a pivotal year for charitable planning. With more stringent charitable deduction limitations taking effect in 2026 under new tax laws, this year may offer a favorable tax environment for your giving depending on your personal situation. Talk with your tax advisors as soon as possible.

–Work with your tax advisors to evaluate the benefits of “bunching” multiple years of charitable gifts into 2025. By front-loading contributions—especially into your donor-advised fund at the community foundation—you may be able to exceed the standard deduction this year and maximize your tax benefits.

–Use your donor-advised fund to simplify year-end giving. You can make one tax-deductible contribution now, receive the deduction in 2025, and recommend grants to nonprofits over time, even throughout 2026 and beyond.

–Give appreciated stock instead of cash. Donating long-term appreciated securities to your fund at the community foundation may eliminate capital gains tax and in turn increase your charitable impact. Talk with your tax advisors as soon as possible so that these gifts can be processed well before the end of the year.

–Explore giving from your IRA if you’re 70½ or older. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can reduce taxable income and, if applicable, satisfy required minimum distributions—to the tune of $108,000 per taxpayer in 2025. IRS rules allow you to make QCDs to a wide variety of funds at the community foundation (but not to your donor-advised fund).

–Check to see whether you’ve met your charitable goals for 2025. Don’t wait until late December to review your plan. Our team can help you think through options for this year and begin to coordinate more complex gifts for next year.

–Support the community overall by making gifts to the community foundation’s special funds or operations. 2025 has been a tough year for many people in our community, and our team can help you support families in crisis both now and in the future.

–Review your beneficiary designations. Naming your donor-advised fund or another community foundation fund as a beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement account can create meaningful future gifts while reducing the tax burden on heirs.

–Avoid last-minute surprises. Gifts of complex assets—such as real estate or closely-held stock—require additional steps and a lot of lead time, so contact the community foundation early if you’re considering these options. Even if it is too late to complete these gifts in 2025, start working with the community foundation on options for 2026 gifts.

–Above all, lean on the community foundation team! We are here to help you explore the most tax-efficient ways to meet your charitable goals, whether you’re planning year-end gifts, updating a legacy plan, or thinking ahead to the changes coming in 2026.

It is our honor to work with you! Thank you for the opportunity. We look forward to supporting your charitable goals this year and for many years to come. 

Unrestricted giving, QCDs, and why they matter for your philanthropy

As someone who cares deeply about our community, you already understand how important charitable giving is to improving the quality of life. Every year, Americans give nearly 2% of our nation’s GDP to charitable causes—a remarkable level of generosity that supports more than a million nonprofits across the country. At the same time, trust has become one of the most important factors donors consider when deciding where to give. We are honored that so many of you place your confidence in the community foundation to steward your philanthropy with care and integrity.

The community foundation is your home for charitable giving, no matter what causes you support. Simultaneously, we are committed to understanding the needs of our community and sharing that information with you and other donors to help ensure that charitable dollars are invested where they can do the greatest good. Some needs are urgent, such as immediate assistance in response to a crisis. Other needs are long-term, such as building educational opportunities, strengthening health and human services, or expanding economic stability. Because the community’s needs evolve over time, the community foundation is focused on identifying what matters most at any given moment and helping you ensure that your generosity has a meaningful impact both immediately and across generations.

For donors aged 70½ and older, one of the most effective and tax-savvy charitable giving tools available is the Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD. A QCD allows you to direct up to $108,000 in 2025 from your IRA to a qualified public charity—bypassing taxable income. If you are already taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), a QCD will count toward that amount without increasing your adjusted gross income, which can be especially helpful for managing tax brackets, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and other income-related considerations.

QCDs cannot be directed to donor-advised funds. So, many donors choose to use their donor-advised fund to support their favorite charities through regular annual gifts, and then use their QCDs to support an unrestricted fund at the community foundation. An unrestricted fund enables the community foundation’s board and staff to deploy dollars toward the most pressing and emerging needs right here at home. It is one of the most powerful ways to support your community, both now and in the future.

Be sure to talk with your tax advisors about whether a QCD fits into your 2025 charitable giving plans. Looking ahead, with new tax laws taking effect in 2026, QCDs may become even more valuable, so be sure to discuss next year’s opportunities, too.

No matter which tools you use—your donor-advised fund, a QCD to an unrestricted fund, or other giving strategies—the community foundation is here to support you. Please reach out anytime. We are honored to partner with you to ensure your generosity continues to make a meaningful difference in the community we all love.

No kids? Three calls-to-action for charitable planning

Many people without children wonder how their legacy will take shape. Rather than focusing on biological heirs, they often find freedom to channel their resources, time, and values toward the broader community. Indeed, Americans over age 50 without children are more than four times as likely as parents to have a charitable estate plan. If you fall into this group—or advise family members who do—take a moment to consider adopting an intentional philanthropic strategy.

The community foundation is happy to help. Reach out anytime for a conversation! Here are three themes we’ll consider as we begin our dialogue:

Treat charitable giving as an expression of identity. For people without children, the causes they champion often become extensions of their values and impact. A fund at the community foundation can bear the name of its donors or something else entirely to represent the priorities of its founders. Examples of fund names include “Smith Family Fund,” “Sally Smith and Joe Brown Foundation Fund,” “Building Stronger Communities Fund,” “Animal Welfare Innovation Fund,” or anything else meaningful to the donors who create it. The choice is yours!  

Integrate charitable planning into estate planning. People who do not have children often have greater flexibility in determining how their wealth will create lasting meaning and impact beyond their lifetimes. By integrating charitable planning into their estate and financial strategies, they can direct resources toward causes that reflect their values and ensure their legacy benefits the broader community. Without the need to provide for heirs, charitable planning offers a thoughtful way to give purpose to accumulated assets and make a difference for future generations. We will discuss ways to involve your estate planning advisors in structuring charitable plans with the community foundation’s help. 

Branch out to extended family. Without the generational handoff of children, people without children might have flexibility most donors don’t. This can mean involving nieces, nephews, other younger relatives, or community members in the philanthropic journey, building a multi-year giving plan, or shifting giving based on changing community needs. Remember, when you establish a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, you can name successor advisors to take your place in recommending charities to receive distributions. 

Whether or not you have children, the community foundation is a sounding board and resource every step of the way. Please reach out to learn more about how we can help you and your family build a charitable plan that is tailored to both your personal and family goals, as well as your goals for making a difference in the causes you care about.