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A Reminder for Donors: Giving Goes Beyond Cash and Stock

Most nonprofits do a great job reminding donors about the benefits of giving appreciated, publicly traded securities, and those reminders matter. But most donors are used to just writing a check, and they generally don’t think about how contributing stock could be a more tax-efficient option that avoids capital gains taxes. More education in this area can help donors increase impact and make better financial choices.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that non-cash giving doesn’t stop with publicly traded stock. Donors can hold other assets that benefit your mission, but they can feel complex or intimidating for everyone involved. That’s when partnering with a community foundation makes even more possible.

When you work with a community foundation, your organization can accept a wider range of non-cash gifts into an endowment fund while relying on experienced professionals to handle the administrative, legal, and financial details.

Closely Held Business Interests

Some donors own private business interests and are interested in using those assets for charitable giving. With thoughtful planning, shares of a closely held business can be contributed to an endowment fund at the community foundation. The foundation can assist with due diligence, valuation, and coordination with the donor’s advisors, as well as the eventual management or liquidation of the asset. This allows donors to support your mission without placing the burden of complexity on your organization.

Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs

For donors age 70½ and older, Qualified Charitable Distributions, or QCDs, offer another effective option. As of 2026, a donor can direct up to $111,000 per year from an IRA to charity. QCDs are excluded from taxable income, too, which is extra valuable if you don’t itemize deductions. That means directing a QCD to your endowment fund through the community foundation is a simple and tax-efficient way for donors to create long-term impact.

Real Estate Gifts

Real estate is another asset class many donors hold, and it can include farmland, rental properties, or commercial buildings. When contributed to an endowment fund at the community foundation, real estate gifts may provide donors with charitable deductions, help avoid capital gains taxes, and reduce taxable estates. The community foundation manages acceptance, evaluation, and sale, so your organization can benefit without taking on risk or administrative complexity.

Managing Other Assets

Life insurance can also be a meaningful giving tool. Donors may name your endowment fund at the community foundation as a policy beneficiary or, in some cases, transfer ownership of a whole life policy. Annual contributions to cover premiums may even be tax-deductible.

Other assets, like oil and gas interests or cryptocurrency, can also be a way to support charitable giving. Even a set of collectibles can work in your favor with the right planning and guidance.

If a donor is exploring a non-cash or non-marketable gift, the community foundation is ready to help. By partnering with Athens Area Community Foundation, you can confidently expand the giving options you offer, support donor creativity, and strengthen your organization’s endowment for the future.