Top 10 Giving Strategies Before 2026

Charitable giving can take many forms, and the right approach can make a gift even more powerful for both the donor and the community they care about. At Gulf Coast Community Foundation, we work with individuals, families, and advisors every day to help shape giving strategies that create lasting impact. Here are our top giving strategies to support you as you support the causes that matter most.

1. Bundle Your Gifts: By combining several years of contributions into one larger gift, donors may maximize their tax benefits while still supporting favorite causes over time.

2. Make a Direct Gift from Your IRA: For those 70½ or older, giving directly from an IRA can reduce taxable income while supporting meaningful work.

3. Donate Appreciated Stock: Giving stock that has grown in value can avoid capital gains taxes while offering a charitable deduction.

4. Use Cryptocurrency for Good: Digital assets can be donated directly, eliminating capital gains taxes and supporting a wide range of causes.

5. Give Non-Cash Assets: Real estate, business interests, or other appreciated property can be donated, often providing significant advantages for both donors and charities.

6. Plan Ahead for a Business or Property Sale: Certain charitable trusts can help donors support causes they value while easing the tax burden of selling a business or real estate.

7. Consider a Charitable Gift Annuity: A CGA provides steady income to the donor or a loved one for life, with the remainder benefiting charity.

8. Pass Along Retirement Assets: Naming a charitable trust as a retirement account beneficiary can provide for heirs and ultimately benefit your favorite causes.

9. Explore Charitable Lead Trusts: These allow gifts to flow to charity for a set period before the remaining assets revert to the donor or family.

10. Create a Legacy Fund: Establishing a legacy fund ensures that your causes are supported for generations to come.

At Gulf Coast, we know that giving is personal. The best approach depends on your unique goals, but your impact remains constant. Our team is here to guide donors and their advisors in choosing the strategies that best match their goals, ensuring their generosity creates meaningful change now and for years to come.

Together, let’s build a strong legacy of giving!

gulfcoastcf.org · 941.486.4600

Joe Carter is VP of Philanthropy at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. These strategies are ideas to discuss with your advisor; they may not always apply to you.