Year-end whirlwind, IRA giving, and trusting your favorite nonprofits

Updates from Your Community Foundation Team for October 2026

Hello from the community foundation!

We are honored to work with so many of you who have already established a fund at the community foundation or supported a community foundation initiative. We’re also excited to be talking with lots of individuals, families, and businesses who are exploring how to get involved with the community foundation to organize charitable giving and make a difference in the causes you care about. Thank you!

Year-end is getting closer, which means charitable giving is likely showing up more often in your inbox, your mailbox, and your conversations with tax and estate planning advisors. The community foundation is always happy to help you cut through the noise with practical ideas for charitable giving. 

It’s a whirlwind: Sorting through year-end charitable giving tips

Year-end giving advice is everywhere—but which decisions really deserve your attention? We’ve boiled it down to five action steps to help you focus on what you want to accomplish, which assets you give, the new 2026 tax rules, opportunities involving your IRA, and why now is the time to get started.

High fives for IRAs, QCDs, and charitable planning

IRAs and other retirement accounts can be powerful charitable planning tools, but the rules can be confusing. We’re sharing five important things to know about QCDs and retirement assets—plus a bonus reminder about how the community foundation can work alongside you and your advisors.

Trust in action: Your favorite nonprofits know what they need

What if one of the best ways to support your favorite nonprofits is to trust the people closest to the work? We’re taking a practical look at trust-based philanthropy, including unrestricted and multi-year giving, listening to nonprofits, and ways the community foundation can help you put these ideas into action.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to work together as you support the causes and organizations that matter to you. Please reach out anytime—we’d love to hear what you’re thinking about as year-end approaches and learn how we can help.

—Your community foundation

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It’s a whirlwind: Sorting through year-end charitable giving tips

If your email inbox—and even your actual mailbox—is any indication, year-end must be right around the corner! You’ve likely already started to get reminders, tax tips, charitable giving strategies, and appeals from organizations you care about. It can be a lot! The good news is that thoughtful year-end giving does not have to be complicated. Your community foundation can help you sort through the noise, coordinate with your tax and financial advisors, and focus on the decisions that really matter. 

In that spirit, here are five action steps to help you make sense of the communications you’re receiving:

Think about what you want your giving to accomplish.

Before you talk with your advisors about tax deductions and which assets to give to a community foundation or other charity, start with the most important question: What do you want your charitable dollars to do? Perhaps you want to continue supporting the organizations you give to every year. Maybe you’d like to respond to an emerging community need, involve your children or grandchildren in giving, or set aside resources now for charitable decisions you’ll make later. 

The community foundation can help you begin your giving with the end in mind. We can pull together information on the organizations and causes you care about, help you identify organizations you might not yet know about, and share what we’re seeing and learning about our community’s needs.

Pay attention to what you give, not just how much.

Writing a check or using a credit card may be convenient, but cash is not necessarily the most tax-efficient asset to give. If you own publicly traded stock or other assets that have appreciated significantly, donating those assets directly to your fund at the community foundation or other charity may allow you to avoid capital gains tax that could apply if you sold the asset first, while potentially qualifying for a charitable deduction based on fair market value, subject to applicable rules and limitations.

This is an area where your community foundation can be especially helpful. The community foundation can accept not only publicly traded securities but also more complex assets, such as closely held business interests or real estate. Before selling a highly appreciated asset, talk with your advisors and the community foundation. A conversation before the sale can open up options that may disappear once the transaction is complete.

Take another look at the 2026 tax rules.

This year brought important changes to the federal tax rules for charitable giving. Among them, taxpayers who itemize generally can deduct charitable contributions only to the extent the contributions exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income. For taxpayers in the highest federal income tax bracket, a new limitation also generally reduces the maximum federal income tax benefit of itemized deductions from 37% to 35%.

At the same time, taxpayers who do not itemize may now claim a deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for married couples filing jointly for qualifying cash gifts to certain public charities. (Note that gifts to donor-advised funds, private foundations, and certain other organizations do not qualify for this new deduction.)

What does all of that mean for you? Potentially, that the timing and structure of your giving deserve another look. For example, some donors may benefit from “bunching” several years of charitable contributions into a single year rather than giving the same amount every year. Your community foundation can work alongside your tax advisor to help you explore approaches that fit both your charitable plans and your tax situation.

If you are 70½ or older, don't overlook your IRA.

A qualified charitable distribution, or QCD, can be one of the most useful charitable planning tools available to eligible IRA owners. In 2026, eligible IRA owners age 70½ and older may direct up to $111,000 from an IRA. A QCD is excluded from taxable income and, for donors who are subject to required minimum distributions, can count toward satisfying the RMD.

There are important rules about where QCDs can go. For example, they cannot be made to donor-advised funds. But the community foundation offers other types of funds that can receive QCDs, including, in many cases, designated funds that support particular charities, field-of-interest funds focused on particular causes, and unrestricted funds that allow the community foundation to respond to changing community needs.

If you are eligible for a QCD, ask your community foundation and advisors whether it makes sense to incorporate one into your year-end giving.

Don't wait until the last week of December—please!

Perhaps the simplest year-end tip is also one of the most important: Start now.

Stock gifts take time to transfer. Gifts of real estate, closely held business interests, and other complex assets may require appraisals, due diligence, and coordination among multiple advisors. Even a relatively straightforward charitable plan can become more difficult when everyone is racing against a December 31 deadline.

Now is the time to take stock of what you’ve already given this year, what you still hope to accomplish, and which assets might make the most sense to use.

And you don't need to figure it all out yourself. Bring the community foundation team into the conversation with your CPA, financial advisor, or estate planning attorney. We can help you explore your options, coordinate the charitable pieces of the plan, and keep the focus where it belongs: using your generosity to accomplish what matters most to you.

High fives for IRAs, QCDs, and charitable planning

At the community foundation, we are honored to talk with donors and fund holders every single day about favorite causes and how best to support those causes, whether through a donor-advised fund, an unrestricted gift to the community foundation, a legacy gift to particular organizations or to the community foundation itself, and everything in between. 

One of the most common areas of confusion (understandably!) for donors and fund holders is how to use IRAs and other retirement accounts to further charitable goals. And it’s an important topic because Americans who’ve been in the workforce for a few decades have watched their 401(k)s, IRAs, and other retirement accounts grow nicely! Retirement accounts are a major asset on many families’ balance sheets.

Our team understands how tricky it is to keep track of all the rules, and we are here to work alongside your tax and estate planning advisors to help you develop a charitable giving plan that achieves your goals, including ways to use your IRAs and other retirement accounts. Please consider sharing the five important points (plus a bonus!) below with your advisors as year-end approaches. 

Age 70½ is still an important charitable giving milestone.

If you have reached age 70½, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD, directly from your IRA to an eligible charitable organization.

This opportunity begins even though Required Minimum Distributions generally do not begin until later—at age 73 or 75, depending on your birth year. In other words, you don't have to wait until RMDs begin to start using QCDs for your charitable giving.

The 2026 QCD limit is $111,000 per taxpayer.

The annual QCD limit is indexed for inflation and is $111,000 in 2026. If you are married and both you and your spouse meet the eligibility requirements and have your own IRAs, each of you has a separate limit.

Unlike a conventional charitable contribution, a QCD generally is excluded from your taxable income rather than claimed as a charitable income tax deduction. And if you are already taking RMDs, a qualifying QCD can count toward your RMD.

This can make a QCD particularly attractive if you don't itemize deductions—or if you simply would like to use a portion of your IRA to support the organizations and causes you care about.

Make sure the money travels the right path.

The mechanics matter. To qualify as a QCD, the distribution must be made directly from your IRA to an eligible charitable organization. Generally, you can't withdraw the money yourself, deposit it into your bank account, and then write a check to charity and receive QCD treatment.

There is another important limitation: Under current law, donor-advised funds generally cannot receive QCDs. If you have a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, however, don't assume that means the community foundation can't help. Other types of charitable funds may be eligible to receive QCDs.

Please reach out to the community foundation team before initiating the transfer. We can work with you and your advisors to determine which options may fit your charitable goals.

Keep an eye on Washington.

QCD rules could become even more flexible! If you enjoy tracking legislation—knowing, of course, that proposed legislation may or may not become law—two bipartisan proposals are worth watching. The Charity Parity Act (H.R. 8783) (Senate version, S. 4511) would allow eligible donors to make QCDs directly from certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s, rather than requiring charitable distributions to come from an eligible IRA. Another bipartisan proposal, the IRA Charitable Rollover Facilitation and Enhancement Act of 2026 (S. 3975), would allow QCDs to donor-advised funds.

Neither proposal is current law, so don't count on these expanded options just yet. But both are worth watching, especially if you have substantial retirement assets or use a donor-advised fund as an important part of your charitable giving.

Don't forget about your IRA when you're planning your legacy.

QCDs allow you to use retirement assets for charitable giving during your lifetime. But there is another opportunity that is easy to overlook: You can name a charitable organization, including your fund at the community foundation or even the community foundation itself, as a beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement account.

Retirement accounts can be particularly attractive assets to leave to charity. Traditional retirement assets left to individual heirs may carry income tax consequences, while a tax-exempt charitable organization generally does not pay income tax when it receives those assets.

And the process may be surprisingly simple. You may be able to leave all or a percentage of a retirement account to charity simply by updating your beneficiary designation, without changing your will or revocable trust. Of course, coordinate any beneficiary designation with your overall estate plan and review it with your legal, tax, and financial advisors.

And a bonus point: You don't have to figure this out on your own.

Retirement assets sit at the intersection of tax planning, financial planning, estate planning, and charitable giving. That's one reason we love working alongside your professional advisors. Whether you're considering a QCD before year end, thinking about including charitable giving in your beneficiary designations, or simply wondering whether your retirement assets could help you accomplish more for the causes you care about, please reach out. We're here to help you explore the possibilities.

Thank you for the opportunity to work together!

Trust in action: Your favorite nonprofits know what they need

If you’ve supported a particular charitable organization for many years, and perhaps even served on its board of directors, you are likely familiar with some basic concepts of “trust-based philanthropy,” even if you didn’t know that’s what it is called.

As a consistent supporter of the nonprofit organizations you love, you know an organization’s chances of success are greatest when its leadership and talented staff can deploy resources in the ways they believe will best fulfill the mission. This, in turn, sometimes translates into an organization placing a high value on what are called “unrestricted” donations, meaning that the organization can use the dollars where they are needed most.

A simple example of this is when a donor writes a check to a food pantry and instructs that the money be used to purchase canned goods, but the food pantry’s leadership knows that what they really need at the moment is to fix the roof or hire a staff member to help sort food before the pantry will be in a position to accept more canned goods.

Indeed, multi-year, unrestricted funding remains a hallmark of trust-based philanthropy because it gives nonprofits flexibility to respond to changing circumstances, invest in organizational capacity, and plan beyond the next grant cycle. But unrestricted gifts are only one component of the overall trust-based philanthropy concept.

The broader model is designed to strengthen the relationships among donors, funders, nonprofits, and the communities they serve. The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project identifies six core grantmaking practices: providing multi-year unrestricted funding; doing the homework rather than requiring nonprofits to repeatedly prove themselves through burdensome applications; simplifying paperwork; communicating transparently; soliciting and acting on feedback; and offering support beyond the check.

At its heart, though, the idea is simpler than the terminology might suggest: The people closest to the work often know things that donors and funders do not.

That does not mean donors should stop asking questions or paying attention to results. In fact, accountability has become an important part of the ongoing conversation about trust-based philanthropy. Advocates of the approach emphasize that trust and accountability are not opposites. Rather, the goal is to move toward mutual accountability, where nonprofits can speak candidly about challenges and changing circumstances and donors can learn alongside them instead of relying exclusively on restrictions, applications, and reports.

For an individual donor, you don’t have to adopt an entire philanthropic philosophy to put some of these ideas to work. Consider asking yourself a few simple questions when you support an organization you know and trust. Could an unrestricted gift be more useful than one designated for a particular program? Would a multi-year commitment help the organization plan more effectively? Are you asking the organization what it needs—or telling it what you think it needs? And are there ways you can help beyond your charitable dollars, perhaps through connections, expertise, or advocacy?

So what can you do? For starters, the community foundation is here to help! Here are a few ways we can help you dip your toe into trust-based philanthropy.

We can provide insight into local nonprofits and community needs. 

Because the community foundation team works closely with nonprofit organizations across our region, we can help you learn more about the nonprofits addressing the issues you care about, including their missions, leadership, current priorities, and the challenges they are working to solve.

We can help you listen and learn before you give. 

Sometimes the most valuable question a donor can ask a nonprofit organization is simply, “What do you need most?” We can help facilitate conversations with nonprofit organizations so that you can better understand where your charitable dollars could be most useful—whether that means supporting a particular program, providing unrestricted funding, or making a longer-term commitment.

We can help you create a giving approach that provides both flexibility and confidence. 

A donor-advised or other type of fund at the community foundation can give you a convenient home for your charitable giving while allowing you to recommend grants over time. Our team can also help you conduct due diligence, evaluate opportunities, and stay connected with the organizations you support—so that trust does not mean giving without information, but rather giving from a place of knowledge and partnership.

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.

More than a will, private foundation transitions, and getting ahead of age-related challenges

Hello from the community foundation!

Fall is just around the corner, bringing with it a natural opportunity to think ahead. This month, we’re looking at charitable planning from a longer-term perspective: how your estate plan can carry out your charitable wishes, how a family’s philanthropy can evolve over time, and why talking about and documenting your charitable intentions now can be such a valuable gift to the people you love.

Estate planning: More than just a will

October’s National Estate Planning Awareness Week is a good reminder that an estate plan involves much more than a will. If charitable giving is part of the legacy you envision, learn how wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, retirement accounts, and charitable funds can work together to carry out your wishes.

From private foundation to donor-advised fund: A five-point checklist

A private foundation may have been a perfect fit when your family established it—but is it still? If the administrative work has begun to overshadow the joy of giving, our five-point checklist can help you and your advisors explore whether transitioning to a donor-advised fund at the community foundation might make sense.

Charitable giving: Plan while you can!

Your charitable intentions are yours to define, and documenting them early can make it much easier for your family members and advisors to honor them later. We’re sharing practical reasons to talk about your long-term giving plans now—including how early planning can reduce difficult gray areas if health or decision-making capacity changes down the road.

As always, thank you for allowing the community foundation to be part of your charitable giving journey. We’re honored to help you think ahead, explore your options, and create a charitable plan that reflects what matters most to you. Please reach out anytime!

—Your community foundation

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Estate planning: More than just a will

National Estate Planning Awareness Week is coming up from October 19 through 25. This comes on the heels of August’s Make-A-Will Month. A reminder to “make a will” is good advice, of course, but a thoughtful estate plan usually involves much more than a single document. And if charitable giving is important to you, making sure all the pieces work together can be especially important.

Think about the different ways assets can pass at death. Some assets may be distributed under a will or according to the terms of a revocable trust. Other assets—including IRAs, retirement plan accounts, life insurance policies, and certain financial accounts—may pass according to beneficiary designations or “transfer on death” designations. 

All of this means creating the legacy you envision requires thinking not only about who and what you want to support, but also about how particular assets will get there. For example, suppose you would like part of your estate eventually to support charitable causes through the community foundation. Depending on your circumstances and goals, you and your estate planning advisors might consider approaches such as:

—Naming a fund at the community foundation as beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement account. You can generally designate a charitable beneficiary to receive all or a percentage of your IRA or retirement account, while leaving other assets to family members or other beneficiaries. Traditional retirement accounts can be particularly worth discussing with your advisors because distributions that may be taxable to individual beneficiaries generally can be received by a qualified charitable organization—including the community foundation—without the same income tax burden.

—Leaving a specific dollar amount through your will or trust. Perhaps you want $25,000, $100,000, or another amount to establish or add to a fund at the community foundation. Your attorney can incorporate the appropriate language into your estate planning documents.

—Leaving a percentage of your estate through your will or trust. Instead of specifying a dollar amount, you might direct that a percentage of your estate pass to a charitable fund. A percentage gift can adjust along with the value of your estate over time.

—Creating a fund to support favorite organizations or causes. Your estate gift could establish or add to a designated fund benefiting an organization you care about, or a field-of-interest fund supporting an issue or area of interest that has been meaningful to you.

—Leaving a gift to meet changing community needs. You might instead leave all or a percentage of your estate as an unrestricted gift to the community foundation. This approach entrusts the community foundation to put charitable dollars to work where they can make an important difference as community needs and opportunities change over time.

These approaches do not necessarily have to stand alone! Charitable components of your estate plan might incorporate more than one document, beneficiary designation, asset, or type of fund to accomplish your goals. What’s more, setting up a charitable giving structure is especially important if you are anticipating a business exit at some point in the future. 

For these reasons, National Estate Planning Awareness Week is about more than simply checking “make a will” off your to-do list. It is an opportunity to look at your entire estate plan and ask whether your documents and beneficiary designations work together to reflect the people, organizations, and community you want to support.

If charitable giving has been an important part of your life, the community foundation team would be honored to help you think about how it can become part of your legacy, too. We can work alongside your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor to help you explore charitable options and determine what type of fund may best carry out your intentions for years—and perhaps generations—to come.

From private foundation to donor-advised fund: A five-point checklist

Many families established private foundations years ago because they wanted to make a lasting difference in their communities. Those foundations have supported important causes, brought family members together around charitable giving, and created meaningful legacies.

Over time, though, circumstances can change. Children and grandchildren may live in different parts of the country. Board meetings become harder to schedule. Administrative responsibilities grow. Tax filings, investment oversight, recordkeeping, and compliance with complex rules can begin to feel like more work than anyone anticipated.

For many families, that's when it becomes worthwhile to ask an important question: “Would a donor-advised fund at the community foundation better serve our charitable goals?”

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but if you're beginning to explore the possibility, here are a few steps to consider as you discuss the options with your family and your tax advisors.

Be realistic about what’s working and what’s not.

Start by taking an honest look at how well your private foundation is working today. Is it still helping your family accomplish what you hoped it would? Are family members actively engaged, or has the responsibility fallen to just one or two people? Sometimes the answer isn't that the private foundation has failed—it's simply that your family's needs have evolved. 

Consult the specialists.

Next, talk with your attorney, CPA, and financial advisors. Transitioning from a private foundation to a donor-advised fund involves important legal, tax, and financial considerations. Your advisors can help you evaluate the options and factors from a tax and legal perspective and determine whether the approach makes sense for your family's particular financial circumstances.

The community foundation is an important part of the conversation, too, even in the early stages. Be sure to introduce your advisors to the community foundation as soon as you can. Our team can explain how a donor-advised fund works, answer questions about the transition process, and, importantly, help you explore ways to preserve the identity and charitable purpose your family has built over the years. In many cases, the donor-advised fund can even continue under a familiar name, allowing your family's charitable legacy to live on in a meaningful way.

Identify decisionmakers.

As you consider the transition, the community foundation team can help you think about who should serve as advisors to the new fund. One of the strengths of a donor-advised fund is its flexibility. You can name family members to recommend grants today and designate successor advisors to help involve future generations in your family's philanthropy. In many ways, the advisors to a donor-advised fund resemble a private foundation’s board of directors. 

Move to implementation.

If your family decides to move forward, the transition itself often can be handled efficiently, although it requires careful planning. Generally, the private foundation distributes its remaining assets to the community foundation to establish or add to the donor-advised fund after reserving sufficient funds to pay final accounting, legal, tax preparation, and other closing expenses. Your advisors will then help complete the foundation's final tax return and any required state filings.

Carry on with your good work!

Once the transition is complete, your family can continue supporting the organizations and causes you care about—often with significantly less administrative responsibility. Rather than spending time on compliance and paperwork, you can devote more energy to what likely inspired the foundation in the first place: making a difference.

Every family's situation is unique, and moving from a private foundation to a donor-advised fund is an important decision. If you're wondering whether it might be the right fit for your family, we'd be delighted to visit with you and your advisors. The community foundation is here to help you evaluate your options and continue building the charitable legacy you've worked so hard to create.

Charitable giving: Plan while you can! 

Let’s face it—aging is inevitable. Whether you are 20, 40, 60, or 80, the reality is that every day you are getting older! And the population as a whole is getting older, too. The share of Americans aged 65 and older grew from 12.4% in 2004 to roughly 18%, with projections estimating that roughly one in five Americans will be 65 or older by 2030. What’s more, in the United States 37% of extended families of older adults include an older relative with dementia.

Against this backdrop, many families have conversations about wills, trusts, financial accounts, health care wishes, and other aspects of planning for the future. Charitable intentions deserve a place in those conversations, too, and, unfortunately, in many cases charitable intentions are overlooked.

No matter how old you are, it’s wise to consider your long-term charitable giving plans. Perhaps you have supported the same organizations for decades and want that support to continue. Maybe there is a particular cause you hope your family will continue to champion. Or perhaps you simply want a portion of your estate to remain in the community, available to address needs and opportunities that may arise long after your lifetime.

Talking about those wishes now—and putting an appropriate structure around them—can reduce uncertainty later. Here are a few reasons to do so:

Reduce the gray areas in the event of future cognitive decline.

Planning ahead becomes particularly important as we age. Over time, health circumstances can change, and some people experience changes in memory or decision-making capacity. Families may also find themselves taking a greater role in helping manage a loved one's financial affairs. That can create difficult gray areas when charitable intentions have not been clearly discussed or documented.

Imagine, for example, that a parent who has supported a particular organization for 30 years wants to make a significant gift later in life. Is the gift consistent with a long-standing charitable intention? Is it a new idea? Do family members understand why the organization is so important? If questions about capacity or outside influence have also emerged, even a perfectly legitimate charitable gift can become complicated.

Provide valuable context that will be essential later.

A documented charitable plan can help family members and advisors understand not only where you want charitable dollars to go, but why. Depending on your goals, that might include establishing a fund at the community foundation during your lifetime, documenting plans for a future charitable fund, including charitable provisions in your estate plan, or involving family members in giving while you can experience that philanthropy together.

Leave room for changes.

Planning ahead does not mean locking yourself into charitable decisions you can never change. Your interests may evolve. Organizations change. New community needs emerge. Your financial circumstances may change, too. Instead, the goal is clarity. By discussing your charitable intentions while you can fully participate in the conversation, you create a foundation that you, your family, and your advisors can build upon. You can revisit the plan as circumstances change and make adjustments when appropriate.

This can be especially meaningful when family members are included in conversations with the community foundation team. Conversations about charitable giving offer an opportunity to talk about much more than money. They can help children and grandchildren understand the experiences and values that shaped your generosity—and give them an opportunity to share what matters to them as well.

Plan early to avoid sticky situations in the first place. 

In some cases, financial institutions and professional advisors must follow certain procedures when questions arise about unusual transactions, diminished capacity, or possible financial exploitation. But even though there are important legal and financial safeguards designed to protect older adults from exploitation and undue influence, it’s much better to plan ahead and reduce the likelihood that your family will need to navigate those issues in the first place. Ideally, your family will not be trying to determine your charitable intentions for the first time after those questions arise. One of the most valuable things you can do is start the conversation early.

Reach out to the community foundation!

At any stage of your life, the community foundation team can help you explore questions such as: What do you want your giving to accomplish? Which organizations or causes are most important to you? Would you like your children or grandchildren involved? Should your charitable plan continue after your lifetime? And how much flexibility would you like your plan to have as organizations and community needs change? The answers can help you and your estate planning and tax advisors determine how charitable giving fits into your broader estate and financial plans—and help avoid challenges in the future. 

Planning ahead cannot eliminate every question the future may bring. But it can reduce the gray areas—and give the people you trust a much clearer roadmap for honoring the charitable intentions that matter to 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.

Early bird planning for year-end, major financial milestones, and redefining “big” inheritances

Hello from the community foundation!

As summer winds down and fall approaches, it's a natural time to look ahead. Whether you're thinking about year-end charitable giving, celebrating an important financial milestone, or considering the legacy you'd like to leave for future generations, a little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow. The community foundation is always happy to share trends and practical ideas to help you get ahead of the busy season—and so much more related to charitable giving! 

Early birds, "bunching," and planning for year-end

Year-end giving often works best when planning starts long before the holidays. Learn why now is the perfect time to review your charitable plans, explore the benefits of "bunching" charitable gifts, and consider how your donor-advised fund at the community foundation can help you maximize both your impact and potential tax benefits.

From success to significance: Opportunities after a major financial milestone

Major life events often inspire us to think differently about what comes next. Whether you've sold a business, received an inheritance, retired, or crossed another important milestone, the community foundation can help you discover how thoughtful charitable planning can translate financial success into lasting community impact.

A "big" inheritance may not be all financial

The Great Wealth Transfer we’ve all been watching is about so much more than passing along assets to your heirs. The community foundation team welcomes conversations about generosity, shared family philanthropy, and thoughtful estate planning to help ensure that your values—and not just your wealth—continue to make a difference for generations to come.

As always, thank you for allowing the community foundation to be part of your charitable giving journey. We are honored to help you turn today's generosity into tomorrow's lasting impact. Please reach out anytime!

—Your community foundation

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Early birds, “bunching,” and planning for year-end

When “back to school” enters your vocabulary, you know the rest of the year will go by in a flash! That’s why it’s important to check in on your charitable goals for 2026 before fall gets into full swing. Otherwise, you may find yourself scrambling to synchronize tax planning, financial planning, and gifts to favorite nonprofits. 

In particular, a technique called “bunching” is important to consider as you get a jump on your year-end charitable giving plans.

Even just a few years ago, not many people had heard of “bunching.” That’s because the standard deduction (which itself has an interesting history) under the Internal Revenue Code’s income tax rules was much lower than it is now. Many donors easily met the criteria to itemize deductions—including their charitable contributions—on their income tax returns. That changed after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly increased the standard deduction starting in 2018. 

Further changes to the charitable deduction rules under 2025’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act increased the complexity of charitable deduction thresholds because the new law, effective for 2026, imposes a 0.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) floor for itemized charitable deductions and, for taxpayers in the highest tax bracket, a 35% cap on the tax benefit of those deductions. All of this means that thoughtful charitable planning is more important than ever.

What you need to know is that "bunching" charitable gifts may be useful to you, and it’s something you ought to discuss with your tax and financial advisors as soon as you can. The essence of bunching is that, rather than making similar-sized charitable donations every year, you would combine two or more years of charitable gifts up front into a single tax year. The reason this is useful is because by concentrating gifts into one year, you may be able to accumulate enough deductions to make itemizing more beneficial than claiming the standard deduction and achieve a greater tax benefit than you would by making smaller annual gifts and taking the standard deduction. 

A donor-advised fund at the community foundation makes bunching especially attractive. For example, you can contribute several years' worth of charitable gifts to your donor-advised fund this year, generally be eligible to claim an income tax deduction for the current year, subject to applicable limitations, and then recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits over several future years. This allows your favorite organizations to continue receiving steady support while simultaneously maximizing your own tax benefits.  

Remember, too, that your donor-advised fund at the community foundation accepts appreciated securities, which may provide additional tax advantages in the right circumstances. That’s because you may be able to avoid capital gains tax on the highly appreciated stock you contribute to your donor-advised fund. 

The takeaway here is that now is the time to begin conversations with your tax and financial advisors about bunching and about your charitable plans in general. Please loop in the community foundation team! We are honored to serve as a sounding board as you carry out your charitable wishes. The community foundation is your home for charitable giving, and we always welcome a conversation! 

From success to significance: Opportunities after a major financial milestone

Life’s big milestones cover a lot of ground! Some are deeply personal, such as welcoming a grandchild, retiring after a long career, or celebrating a significant birthday. Other milestones are financial: selling a business, receiving an inheritance, exercising stock options, selling a valuable piece of real estate, or realizing a financial gain following an initial public offering involving stock you’ve owned for years.

Whether financial or personal, major milestone moments often bring a sense of accomplishment. They can also bring something else: an opportunity to pause and reflect—and be smart about the next big move. For many people, that's when the questions start changing. At some point along the way, instead of asking themselves, "What's my next big thing?" they shift to "What matters most?" and "What kind of impact do I want to leave behind?" That's one reason so many charitable conversations begin after a significant financial event, which is why significant financial events often lead to high-profile philanthropy announcements, as recently occurred in connection with the sale of the Seattle Seahawks. 

Many people in this situation find they have the time and flexibility to think more intentionally about the causes, organizations, and communities that have shaped their lives—especially now that they have the financial resources to act on their intentions. Some want to express gratitude for opportunities they've received. Others hope to create opportunities for future generations or honor family members. Still others simply want to make sure the success they've enjoyed continues benefiting others for years to come.

As you look ahead in your life and anticipate big milestones, consider taking steps early so that you’re prepared to implement a philanthropy plan. For example, here are a few things you can do even years before a significant liquidity event:

—Consider establishing a donor-advised fund at the community foundation so you can get familiar with the mechanics and the resources available at the community foundation. You’ll be able to set aside charitable dollars while taking the time to thoughtfully consider which organizations you would like to support over the months and years ahead, especially following a financial transaction.

—In addition to your donor-advised fund, you might also want to establish one or more designated funds to provide lasting support for the specific organizations you care about. These funds can provide support during your lifetime or receive an estate gift under your will or trust.  

—Some people also establish a field-of-interest fund at the community foundation as part of their charitable giving “portfolio” to address particular community needs, as well as unrestricted funds that allow the community foundation to respond to the area's greatest opportunities for generations to come.

Remember, in the case of private business interests, from a capital gains perspective, you may be far better off establishing charitable arrangements well before a transaction is underway. Please consult your tax advisors and the community foundation team as you think about an exit plan for your closely held business. Of course, if you’ve recently experienced a liquidity event and haven’t yet established a charitable plan, it is not too late!   

Whether you’ve already experienced a significant financial event—or expect one in the future—we'd love to talk. The community foundation can help you explore charitable options that reflect your values, support the causes you care about, and create a legacy that extends far beyond a single moment of success.

A “big” inheritance may not be all financial

Welcome to the Great Wealth Transfer! This much-cited era, happening right now, is reportedly the time when trillions of dollars will pass from one generation to the next over the coming decades in various forms, ranging from cash and stock to real estate and business interests.

Understandably, most conversations and commentary about this transfer focus on the assets themselves. Who will inherit the family business? What will happen to the investment portfolio? How should the estate plan be structured? Naturally, those are important questions! But many families are beginning to ask something deeper: "What values do we want to pass along, too?"

A recent Kiplinger article exploring the Great Wealth Transfer makes the point that the strongest family legacies are built not simply by transferring assets, but by intentionally passing along values of generosity through shared charitable experiences and conversations. It encourages families to involve younger generations in philanthropy early, making giving a collaborative, multigenerational experience rather than a one-time financial transaction. 

For many people, philanthropy is one of those values. If you’re among them, here’s food for thought:

—A charitable legacy isn't simply about the gifts that are made after you're gone. It's also about helping your children and grandchildren understand why giving has been important throughout your life. In many ways, the conversations, traditions, and shared decisions surrounding philanthropy can become just as meaningful as the financial inheritance itself. 

—Now is a great time to begin mapping out your legacy if you’ve not done so already. For starters, August is widely recognized as Make-A-Will Month, in large part because the downtime of late summer offers a perfect window to address open estate planning issues.

—According to the latest Giving USA report, charitable bequests totaled more than $62 billion in 2025, increasing nearly 20% over the previous year. Bequests were the fastest-growing source of charitable giving, underscoring how important estate gifts have become to nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. 

—A charitable bequest can be surprisingly simple. You might leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to your donor-advised fund, or designate another type of charitable fund at the community foundation, to continue supporting the organizations and community priorities that matter most to you.

—For example, by naming your children or other loved ones as successor advisors of your donor-advised fund at the community foundation, you're inviting them to continue the family's tradition of generosity by recommending grants to the organizations and causes they believe will make a difference. This opportunity is itself a meaningful inheritance! 

—For individuals and couples with especially large estates, charitable planning also may reduce the federal estate tax ultimately borne by the estate, helping preserve more of the remaining assets for heirs. This consideration applies to relatively few families because the federal estate tax exemption is $15 million per individual in 2026, but when it does apply, it really matters because gifts and bequests to qualified charities generally are deductible in determining the taxable estate. Your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor can help determine whether estate tax planning is relevant to your particular circumstances. 

—Even when estate taxes are not a concern, a charitable bequest can still become one of the most meaningful gifts you make. You may, of course, provide for family members while also supporting the causes and organizations that have mattered throughout your life.

Estate plans are designed to transfer wealth. A charitable legacy has the power to transfer something even more lasting. The community foundation would be honored to work with you and your estate planning advisors to arrange charitable bequests, establish a donor-advised or other charitable fund, and build a legacy your family can continue long into the future.

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.

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

FEATURED ARTICLES

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.