Five charitable giving conversations
to have before December 31
As year-end planning picks up, charitable giving deserves a place in the conversation. This year especially, new federal deduction rules are now in effect, while familiar strategies like Qualified Charitable Distributions, gifts of appreciated assets and donor-advised funds continue to offer important planning opportunities.
At the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, our goal is to make the charitable piece easier for you and your clients. Here are five conversations worth having before year-end:
- Should your client bunch charitable gifts?
The new 0.5% of AGI floor on itemized charitable deductions may make bunching more attractive for some clients. Instead of giving the same amount every year, a client could combine several years of giving into one tax year. A donor-advised fund can make that easier by allowing the client to make the larger contribution now and recommend grants to charities over time. - Is cash really the best asset to give?
Before a client writes a check, take another look at their portfolio. Publicly traded securities held for more than one year can often be especially attractive charitable assets because the client may avoid recognizing unrealized capital gains while potentially receiving a charitable deduction based on fair market value, subject to applicable limits. Other appreciated assets may also be worth considering, but usually require more advance planning. - Is your client 70½ or older? Ask about a QCD.
For 2026, eligible IRA owners can give up to $111,000 per taxpayer through a Qualified Charitable Distribution. For clients who are also taking required minimum distributions, a QCD can count toward the RMD while generally keeping the qualifying amount out of taxable income.
One important distinction: QCDs cannot be made to donor-advised funds. Good news – there are many eligible funds at CFMV depending on the client’s goals. - Does your client take the standard deduction?
There is a new charitable giving opportunity for non-itemizers in 2026. Clients taking the standard deduction may deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash charitable contributions, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. The deduction is limited to qualifying cash gifts and does not apply to donor-advised fund contributions. - Is charitable giving part of the client’s longer-term plan?
Year-end planning does not have to stop with December 31. It is also a good time to revisit charitable provisions in wills and trusts, IRA beneficiary designations and other legacy plans. A quick check-in now can help make sure a client’s charitable intentions still reflect their current family, financial and philanthropic goals.
Bring us into the conversation early
You do not need to have the charitable solution figured out before calling us.
CFMV can work alongside you to think through giving vehicles, charitable assets, local nonprofit opportunities and the client’s longer-term philanthropic goals, while you continue to guide the legal, tax and financial planning.
Have a client situation you want to talk through?
Contact Casey Krell
ckrell@cfmv.org
330.743.5555 ext. 101
CFMV’s 2026 Giving Deadlines for Client Planning
To ensure smooth year-end processing for charitable gifts:
| Stock or Mutual Fund Gifts | Begin transfers by December 15 |
| Wire or ACH Gifts | Complete by December 23 |
| Checks | Must be postmarked by December 31 |
| Online Credit Card Gifts | Processed through midnight on December 31 |