Year End Giving Options 

Make an impact at year-end

As another year draws to a close, many of us are reflecting on how we are showing up for families and our communities. The end of the year is also the perfect time to make tax-savvy donations that benefit meaningful organizations and your long-term financial well-being.

Your gift can make a difference.

One of our long-time donors, Carlo, and his family made a generous year-end gift from their DAF account and helped launch the ALF Living Donor Network last year.  This life-saving registry connects altruistic donors who want to donate part of their liver with transplant centers nationwide to help patients in need. In less than a year, this transformative gift has saved seven lives.  Your gift, no matter what the vehicle, can have the same impact.

If, like Carlo, you choose to give back this year, here are four smart year-end giving strategies that will help you maximize your generosity and potentially unlock significant tax benefits:

1. Donate appreciated stock at year-end.

Do you have stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that increased in value this year? If so, you could turn those gains into a double win! By donating appreciated stocks, you can skip the capital gains tax and maximize the impact of your gift.

How it makes a difference:

• Unlock a tax deduction: When you donate stocks you’ve held for at least one year, you receive a deduction for their full market value—not just what you paid for them.
• Do more with less: When you donate appreciated stocks directly to charity, your gift can be up to 20% larger because you avoid the taxes you’d incur from selling and donating the cash.

Want to learn more about donating appreciated stock? Visit Outright Gift of Appreciated Securities | American Liver Foundation so individuals and financial advisors can easily give appreciated assets.

2. Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution

If you are age 70 ½ or older and have a required minimum distribution from an IRA, you may be able to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA to a qualified charity.

How it makes a difference:

• Tax relief with a purpose: The amount donated through a QCD is excluded from your taxable income, potentially lowering your overall tax bill while giving back.
• Make It count: Why not transform the mandatory withdrawal into a powerful gift for the change you want to see in the world? It’s a smart year-end bonus for both you and the causes you care about!

So, when that 401(k) distribution comes knocking at the end of the year, think of it as your ticket to support a cause you love—while also bringing down that tax bill.

3. Put money into a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF).

Having a (DAF) is like having a piggy bank for the change you wish to see! You can contribute cash, stocks, or other assets now, and decide later which causes you want to support.

How it makes a difference:

Grow your generosity: When you contribute to a DAF, your funds are invested in ways that allow them to grow over time—giving you the chance to grow your donation while finding the right causes to support.

• Potential tax benefit: Contributions to a DAF may be eligible for an immediate charitable deduction, subject to applicable tax rules.

DAFs are the perfect way to get an immediate tax boost while letting your generosity grow over time! Already have a DAF and feel ready to recommend a grant? Don’t wait too much longer, or you may miss the end-of-year deadline! Check with your DAF sponsor for deadlines today.

4. Make an online credit card donation.

Making an online credit card donation is one of the quickest and easiest ways to give. In just minutes, your gift helps support people and families affected by liver disease while advancing education, advocacy, research, and support.

How it makes a difference:

• Receive a tax deduction: You may be eligible for a tax deduction depending on how and where you give. Donations to American Liver Foundation are tax-deductible.
• Give fast to those who need it most: Online credit card donations allow you to make a real difference in an instant—getting your support to those who need it most, right when they need it.

To learn about more ways to give, please visit:  Ways to Give - American Liver Foundation or please contact me directly.

Tax benefits and eligibility vary based on individual circumstances. Please consult your tax or financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Hope you have a wonderful fall season, Heidi

Heidi Daniels
VP Development
781-883-4489