The final months of the year are a natural checkpoint. It’s a good time to align your giving with the causes you value and with your broader financial plan. Being intentional about timing and method helps you support organizations effectively while keeping your overall plan on track.
Malcolm: The final months of the year are a natural checkpoint. It’s a good time to align your giving with the causes you value and with your broader financial plan. Being intentional about timing and method helps you support organizations effectively while keeping your overall plan on track.
Malcolm: Many donors consider gifting appreciated securities (stocks, ETFs, mutual funds) directly to qualified charities. This can help avoid realizing capital gains on those positions while pursuing a charitable deduction—subject to current limits. Always confirm a charity’s transfer instructions before initiating and coordinate with your tax professional.
Malcolm: A DAF can separate when you give from where you give. You can contribute cash or appreciated securities this year, then recommend grants to nonprofits over time. DAFs can simplify recordkeeping and can be useful for “bunching” contributions in higher-income years. A DAF can also streamline recurring support for local organizations while keeping your documentation in one place. Your wealth advisor can help weigh a DAF against giving directly to organizations you already support.
Malcolm: For eligible donors, a QCD lets you give directly from your IRA to a qualified 501(c)(3). Because the gift is sent straight from the IRA custodian to the charity, it can keep the distribution out of your taxable income and may satisfy part or all of your Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) for the year. This approach is often a good fit if you’re already making charitable gifts and want a simple, tax-aware way to do so. If you’re considering a QCD this season, your wealth advisor can help confirm eligibility, coordinate the transfer, and align the gift with your broader plan.
Malcolm: Start with organizations whose missions align with your values. Verify charitable status, review recent reports, and—when possible—speak with staff or board members about how gifts are used. That extra diligence helps ensure your dollars support specific programs and services in the community.
Malcolm: Unrestricted monetary gifts often give nonprofits the most flexibility to address real-time needs. In-kind donations and volunteering can be valuable when they match what the organization is actively requesting. When in doubt, ask what would be most helpful right now.
Malcolm: Many families connect philanthropy with long-term goals—whether through annual gifts, a DAF, or strategies coordinated with estate counsel. The key is fit: your giving approach should reflect both impact and intent. Involving younger generations in selecting and evaluating charities can also reinforce family values over time. Your TFG advisor can coordinate with your CPA and attorney to keep everything aligned.
Malcolm:
Year-end giving is most effective when it’s thoughtful, documented, and integrated with your broader plan. If you’re considering gifts this season, we’re glad to help you evaluate options and organize the steps
If you’d like to discuss the approach that fits your situation, we invite you to reach out to us at any time for assistance.