August 2026
WHERE GIVING MEETS COMMUNITY
Insights on local generosity, nonprofit work, and the needs shaping our region.
By Katie Simpson, Community Giving Foundation
Many of us think about charitable giving in response to a moment. A nonprofit launches a campaign. A natural disaster strikes. December approaches and we rush to make a donation before the end of the year.
Those gifts matter. Every act of generosity strengthens our communities.
But some of the most meaningful philanthropy doesn’t happen because of a single moment. It grows from something deeper—thoughtful conversations about our values, our families, our financial goals, and the legacy we hope to leave behind.
In other words, charitable giving becomes less about individual transactions and more about an impactful long-term strategy.
This idea has been gaining momentum among donors, financial advisors, estate attorneys, and nonprofits. The most effective charitable planning rarely begins with a tax form or isolated decision. Instead, it begins with a simple question: What difference do you want your resources to make?
And that answer looks different for everyone.
For one person, it may be ensuring local students have access to scholarship support. For another, it may be preserving parks and natural spaces, strengthening local arts organizations, or making sure neighbors have reliable access to food and healthcare. The countless stories shared at csgiving.org, in our annual Storybook, and during Foundation events show the diversity of passions and hearts that live in our communities.
When those priorities are clear, the charitable tools become vehicles to accomplish a larger purpose. Sometimes those tools are remarkably simple.
Take a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), for example. If you’re age 70 1/2 or older and have an IRA, you may be able to direct a portion of your retirement distribution straight to a qualified charity. Because those dollars go directly from your IRA to the charitable organization, they can satisfy some (or all) of your required minimum distribution while avoiding an increase in your taxable income. For many retirees, it’s an effective way to support the causes they care about while making the most of their retirement planning.
Other strategies may involve donating appreciated stock, creating a donor advised fund to organize your family’s giving over time, or including thoughtful charitable gifts as part of your estate plan. The right approach depends on your individual circumstances—but each begins with understanding your goals before selecting the right vehicles.
That’s where Community Giving Foundation can help.
Our role isn’t simply to facilitate donations. It’s to guide individuals, families, and their trusted advisors through personalized and flexible charitable options. We can help you understand how different tax-smart giving strategies work and connect your generosity to lasting community impact.
The conversations we enjoy the most rarely start with, “How can I reduce my taxes?” More often, they begin with stories about the people who shaped someone’s life, the hometown they love, or the hope they have for future generations. Those conversations help turn generosity into a plan that reflects what matters most.
After all, philanthropy isn’t just about where a gift goes today. It’s about creating an opportunity that grows into a transformative tomorrow.
When giving is guided by purpose, every charitable decision becomes part of a much larger story—one that strengthens families, supports local nonprofits, and builds a more vibrant community for generations to come.
This article is not intended as legal or financial advice. Please consult your attorney, tax advisor, or investment professional for more information.