Charitable Giving Tips: How your generosity can have strategic financial benefits.

– by Curtis H. Parry Jr. CFP^®, CHFC^®, CLU^®, RICP^®, WMCP^®, CASL^®
Founder & CEO

Charitable giving is not only a generous way to support causes you care about, but it can also have strategic financial benefits. Here are some ways to take advantage of charitable giving before the end of the year:

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs):

Consider contributing to a Donor-Advised Fund. With a DAF, you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund and recommend grants to your favorite charities over time. This allows you to receive an immediate tax benefit while spreading out your charitable giving.

Appreciated Securities:

Donate appreciated securities instead of cash. By gifting stocks, mutual funds, or other appreciated assets that have been held for more than one year, you may avoid capital gains taxes and still receive a deduction for the fair market value of the securities.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for Retirement Accounts:

If you are over 70½ and have an individual retirement account (IRA), you can make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. This can satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) and may have tax advantages.

Charitable Gift Bunching:

Consider bunching multiple years of charitable contributions into a single year to exceed the standard deduction. This strategy involves making larger contributions in specific years and then not contributing in other years, taking advantage of itemizing deductions when beneficial.

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs):

Explore more complex strategies, such as establishing a charitable remainder trust. With a CRT, you can make a significant charitable contribution, receive income for a specified period or for life, and ultimately benefit a charitable organization.

Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs):

Consider a charitable lead trust, where the charity receives income for a specified period, and the remaining assets go to designated beneficiaries. This strategy can be effective for both philanthropy and estate planning.

Matching Gift Programs:

Check if your employer offers a matching gift program. This can double the impact of your charitable contributions. Ensure that you follow the necessary procedures to take advantage of such programs.

Review Charitable Strategies Regularly:

As tax laws and your financial situation evolve, it’s important to review and adjust your charitable giving strategies regularly. Consult with your financial advisor or tax professional to ensure your approach aligns with your overall financial plan.

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