Looking to give back this holiday season? We've compiled a list of tips to make the most of your year-end charitable giving.

Give stock.

Evaluate your highly-appreciated stock positions and use these assets to give to your fund at GWCF, coordinating with your tax and financial advisors to optimize your 2024 goals. Appreciated assets generally are far better charitable gifts than cash because you not only can take advantage of the income tax deduction, but also you can avoid capital gains tax.

Use your donor advised fund.

Consider deploying a “bundling” or “bunching” technique by making a gift to your donor advised fund this calendar year that allows you to leverage itemized deductions, then use your DAF over the next few years to support your favorite charities.

Explore a QCD.

If you are age 70 ½ or older, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA to a designated, field of interest, scholarship or discretionary fund at the community foundation. Each spouse can give up to $105,000 in 2024, and the distributions will satisfy your Required Minimum Distributions.

Think about legacy giving.

Start 2025 off strong by making a planned gift that will benefit the Worcester County community forever. One powerful option is to name your fund at GWCF as a beneficiary of your IRA, allowing you to make a tax-efficient bequest. We’ve also attached our updated brochure on Charitable Gift Annuities, a planned giving option that provides you with an income stream during retirement.

Greater Giving. Greater Impact.

We can make a meaningful impact in the community because of the generosity of our donors. Discretionary funds like our Community Leadership Fund allow us to be flexible in our response to identified needs across the region and explore new ways to address critical community needs.

Please consider making a year-end gift to our Community Leadership Fund by donating online or mailing a check to Greater Worcester Community Foundation, 1 Mercantile Street, Suite 010, Worcester, MA 01608.