Countdown to 2026

At the East Tennessee Foundation, we are honored to work with you and so many other families, individuals, and businesses to help organize your charitable giving and support favorite charities that make a difference in our community. As the year winds down, keep these 10 tips in mind:

1. Remember that 2025 is a pivotal year for charitable planning. With more stringent charitable deduction limitations taking effect in 2026 under new tax laws, this year may offer a favorable tax environment for your giving depending on your personal situation. Talk with your tax advisors as soon as possible.
2. Work with your tax advisors to evaluate the benefits of “bunching” multiple years of charitable gifts into 2025. By front loading contributions—especially into your donor advised fund at the East Tennessee Foundation—you may be able to exceed the standard deduction this year and maximize your tax benefits.
3. Use your donor advised fund to simplify year-end giving. You can make one tax deductible contribution now, receive the deduction in 2025, and recommend grants to nonprofits over time, even throughout 2026 and beyond.
4. Give appreciated stock instead of cash. Donating long-term appreciated securities to your fund at the East Tennessee Foundation may eliminate the capital gains tax and in turn increase your charitable impact. Talk with your tax advisors as soon as possible so that these gifts can be processed well before the end of the year.
5. Explore giving from your IRA if you are 70½ or older. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can reduce taxable income and, if applicable, satisfy required minimum distributions—to the tune of $108,000 per taxpayer in 2025. IRS rules allow you to make QCDs to a wide variety of funds at the East Tennessee Foundation (but not to your donor advised fund).
6. Check to see whether you have met your charitable goals for 2025. Don’t wait until late December to review your plan. Our team can help you think through options for this year and begin to coordinate more complex gifts for next year.
7. Support the community overall by making gifts to the East Tennessee Foundation’s special funds or operations. We know 2025 has been a tough year for many people in our community, and our team can help you support families in crisis both now and in the future.
8. Review your beneficiary designations. Naming your donor advised fund or another East Tennessee Foundation fund as a beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement account can create meaningful future gifts while reducing the tax burden on heirs.
9. Avoid last minute surprises. Gifts of complex assets—such as real estate or closely-held stock—require additional steps and a lot of lead time, so contact the East Tennessee Foundation early if you are considering these options. Even if it is too late to complete these gifts in 2025, start working with ETF on options for 2026 gifts.
10. Above all, lean on the East Tennessee Foundation team! We are here to help you explore the most tax-efficient ways to meet your charitable goals, whether you’re planning year-end gifts, updating a legacy plan, or thinking ahead to the changes coming in 2026.

It is our honor to work with you to support the communities we serve.  We look forward to helping you realize your charitable goals this year and for many years to come.

 This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.