The Pros and Cons of Charitable Giving Strategies
Once you have provided for your own personal expenses and retirement, it may be time to consider how your money could benefit others.
Giving away some of your money is a great way to support the people and organizations you love. But choosing the right strategy is essential for minimizing your taxes and meeting your personal goals.
Donation Strategies Overview
Cash
How It Works
You make a donation directly via cash or check. It’s the giving strategy most are familiar with.
Pros
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year of donation (subject to limitations)
Straightforward tax benefits
Simple donation process
Cons
Must acquire and track written record of donation to qualify for tax benefit
Capital gains tax may apply if you liquidate appreciated securities to make the donation
Traditionally Used For
Those making smaller donations that don’t require liquidating appreciated securities
Those who want a simple donation process
Securities
How It Works
Similar to cash donations, you can also gift different securities to a charity. Stocks are the most commonly gifted securities.
Pros
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year of donation (subject to limitations)
Avoids the capital gains tax you would incur if appreciated securities would need to be liquidated to make a cash donation
If you’ve held a stock for over a year and it has appreciated, you can deduct its fair market value from your taxes
Cons
Must acquire and track written record of donation to qualify for tax benefit
Some charities struggle to liquidate complex or privately-held securities
If you’ve held your stocks for less than a year or they’ve depreciated, the tax benefits don’t apply
Traditionally Used For
Those who want to maximize their tax benefits and have a portfolio that’s ideal for charitable giving
Those donating to charities that are accustomed to liquidating securities
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
How It Works
Funds transfer directly from your individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualifying charity of your choice.
Pros
Lowers adjusted gross income (AGI)
Counts toward your required minimum distributions for the year in which the contributions are made
Reduces the amount of taxable money in the IRA overall
Cons
You must be a certain age to contribute
There are contribution limits
Not all charities qualify to receive QCDs
Not eligible for itemized charitable tax deduction
Must work with your IRA custodian to make your contribution directly from the account
Must acquire and track written record of donation to qualify for tax benefit
Traditionally Used For
Those who don’t want to or can’t itemize on their taxes but want to lower their required minimum distributions, which counts toward AGI
Those who want to convert their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA at a lower tax rate
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)
How It Works
This method allows you to set aside assets in a special account, grow the funds over time, and then grant donations to qualifying charities of your choice at a later date.
Pros
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited
Ability to invest and grow contributions tax-free
Full control over where and when donations are distributed
Ability to pass the account to heirs
Cons
Invested assets are irrevocable
Not all charities qualify to receive donations from a DAF
Minimums are often required to open an account
Asset management fees apply
Traditionally Used For
Those still developing their philanthropy strategy
Those who want the tax benefits of a donation in a certain calendar year, but distribute the donation at a different time
Those hoping to avoid capital gains tax or estate tax on donations
Pooled Income Fund
How It Works
This method allows multiple contributors to donate to a special account managed by a nonprofit. The assets can grow over time and pay out dividends to all contributors. After the contributors pass away, the remaining funds go to the managing nonprofit.
Pros
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited
Flexible payout options
Avoid capital gains tax on appreciated securities donated
Assets aren’t considered part of the donor’s estate and avoid probate
Cons
Invested assets are irrevocable
Complex regulations around what types of assets can be donated
Assets aren’t available to the charity during your lifetime
Traditionally Used For
Those with a modest income who still want to make a charitable impact
Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
How It Works
Assets in a CLT create income for a charity over the term of the trust. After the term is over or the donor passes away, the remaining assets funnel to non- charitable beneficiaries.
Pros
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited
Charity payment amount, frequency, and duration are flexible
Avoid capital gains tax on any appreciated securities donated
Reduces estate and gift taxes
Ability to see the immediate impact of charitable donations
Ability to pass wealth to heirs
Cons
Invested assets are irrevocable
Heavy administrative demands and upkeep can make it expensive to maintain
Assets are part of your estate and aren’t entirely exempt from estate and gift taxes
Traditionally Used For
Those that want to pass assets to heirs while reducing the impact of gift and estate taxes
Those who want to see the impact of their charitable giving upfront
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
How It Works
Assets housed in a CRT create income for non- charitable beneficiaries over the term of the trust. After the term is over or the donor passes away, the remaining assets funnel to charity.
Pros
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited
Assets aren’t considered part of the donor’s estate and avoid probate
Avoid capital gains tax on any appreciated securities donated
Generates income for you and beneficiaries
Income amount, frequency, and duration is flexible
Assets are generally not subject to gift or estate taxes
Cons
Invested assets are irrevocable
Heavy administrative demands and upkeep can make the account expensive to maintain
Assets aren’t available to the charity during the trust term or your lifetime
The value of the charitable gift could be diminished significantly without proper income planning
CRT benefits won’t be realized with small gifts or estates
Traditionally Used For
Those with large estates, gifts, or appreciated assets that want to maximize their tax benefits while gifting to a charity
Those who require income for themselves or others, but still want to give
How to Identify the Right Strategy
These are only some of the many giving strategies available. The best choice depends on many factors, including your unique financial and philanthropic goals.
Talk to a financial professional about which giving strategy best suits you.
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