Flexible support, entrepreneurial generosity, and year-end giving ideas
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Hello from [ABC Charity]!
It’s a wonderful time to celebrate generosity! With National Philanthropy Day on November 15 and GivingTuesday on December 1, we’re reminded how much people like you make a difference for the causes they care about. We are especially grateful that [ABC Charity] is among them.
As 2026 winds down, we’re sharing three articles about making your generosity even more meaningful—through flexible support for [ABC Charity]’s mission, creative approaches to charitable giving, and practical year-end strategies.
Expanding your impact: FAQs about unrestricted gifts
What if your gift could help [ABC Charity] respond to today’s needs and tomorrow’s unexpected opportunities? Learn why flexible, unrestricted support matters, how it works, and how it can complement gifts for particular programs.
From billionaires to small business owners: Entrepreneurs are giving back
You don’t need a billion-dollar company to make philanthropy part of your success story. We’re sharing examples of business owners who build generosity into their work—and ideas for supporting [ABC Charity] in ways that fit your own circumstances.
If you’re thinking that, consider this: Five charitable giving ideas for year-end
From the new deduction for eligible cash gifts by non-itemizers to gifts of appreciated stock, IRA distributions, and legacy planning, we’re sharing five ways to turn charitable intentions into thoughtful action.
Thank you for your kindness, your encouragement, and your belief in our mission. We hope you’ll reach out anytime to talk about the difference you’d like to make!
—Your friends at [ABC Charity]
THIS MONTH’S
FEATURED ARTICLES
Expanding your impact: FAQs about unrestricted gifts
The giving season is here! National Philanthropy Day on November 15 and GivingTuesday on December 1 remind us of the many ways people show up for the organizations they love. Whether you give, volunteer, advocate, or introduce friends to [ABC Charity], you are part of the work that makes our mission possible.
As you think about your charitable priorities, we’d love to share why unrestricted gifts to [ABC Charity] can make such a meaningful difference. We are grateful that many donors make “unrestricted” gifts, allowing our organization to direct the support where it can make the greatest difference in advancing our mission.
Why does unrestricted support matter?
Our community’s needs are always changing, and unrestricted gifts help [ABC Charity] respond. That’s why [ABC Charity] focuses on adapting to whatever challenges may arise so we can continue to serve the people who need us most. For example, a program may see unexpected demand, essential equipment may need replacing, or a promising opportunity may arise that wasn't anticipated in the annual budget. Flexible gifts from you and other donors help us respond thoughtfully rather than limiting every dollar to a single predefined expense.
Gifts like this can also support the less visible work that makes good programs possible: skilled staff, reliable technology, training, evaluation, and the day-to-day operations that allow us to serve people effectively. These investments are part of mission delivery, not separate from it.
Does an unrestricted gift mean I won’t know how my money is used?
Not at all. We believe flexibility and accountability belong together. We welcome questions about our priorities, our programs, and the results of our work. We can share information about how unrestricted support strengthens our overall ability to serve the people and communities at the heart of our mission.
Can I still support a specific program at [ABC Charity]?
Absolutely! Gifts designated for specific programs can make a tremendous difference, especially when they align with our current priorities. If you have a special connection to a particular part of our work, please talk with us. We can explore a gift that reflects your interests while making sure the purpose is practical for [ABC Charity].
Can flexible support be part of a long-term gift?
Yes. You might make an unrestricted contribution today, commit to support our general operations over several years, or discuss an unrestricted gift through your estate plan. [If applicable: ABC Charity also offers opportunities to establish or contribute to an endowment that supports our mission for generations to come.] Please contact us to learn what arrangements are available to support [ABC Charity] in the ways that mean the most to you.
What can I give?
Cash is always welcome, of course! Instead of cash, many donors give publicly traded stock held for more than one year that has appreciated in value. Depending on individual circumstances, a direct gift of appreciated securities to [ABC Charity] may offer tax advantages compared with selling the securities and giving the proceeds. Donors age 70½ or older may also be eligible to make qualified charitable distributions directly from IRAs to [ABC Charity] and other eligible public charities. Your tax advisors can help determine what works for your particular situation.
Above all, unrestricted support is a vote of confidence in the mission we share. Thank you for trusting our team and helping us respond to both today’s priorities and tomorrow’s possibilities.
If you're considering an unrestricted year-end gift, we'd love to talk with you about how your generosity can help [ABC Charity] make an even greater difference!
From billionaires to small business owners: Entrepreneurs are giving back
Entrepreneurs are known for transforming ideas into businesses. Many are also finding ways to make charitable giving part of their definition of success. Although headlines often focus on extraordinary fortunes, you don't have to be a billionaire to make generosity part of your success story.
Consider the founders of Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company. As described in recent reporting, its co-founders pledged to donate 80% of their personal wealth derived from the company to charitable causes. That commitment is striking in scale, but it also illustrates a simple principle: Financial success can create opportunities to support what matters most.
Other companies have woven generosity into their business models. Newman’s Own is a longstanding example of a business whose after-tax profits support charitable purposes through nonprofit ownership. More recent examples include WellWithAll, which has committed a portion of profits to health equity, and Two Blind Brothers, an apparel venture created to support people affected by blindness.
Of course, you don’t have to be a founder—or a billionaire—to make philanthropy a meaningful part of your story. Maybe you own a small business, are preparing for a business transition, have appreciated investments, or simply want to be more intentional with your annual giving.
What might that look like for you?
A business owner might explore a corporate matching-gift program, employee volunteer activities, or a charitable commitment tied to annual profits. Someone anticipating the sale of a business may want to speak with legal and tax advisors well in advance about whether a charitable gift of business interests is appropriate; timing, restrictions, and a charity’s gift-acceptance capacity matter.
Other donors may choose a multiyear pledge, a gift of appreciated securities, or a legacy gift through a will, trust, or retirement-account beneficiary designation. A smaller, consistent commitment can be just as intentional as a large one-time contribution.
If [ABC Charity] is one of the causes closest to your heart, we would love to talk about the work that inspires you and the ways you might support it. You may want to make an impact now, include our mission in your long-term plans, or do a little of both.
Generosity is not defined by the size of a bank account or a business. It is defined by the decision to make a difference. Thank you for making [ABC Charity] part of that decision.
If you’re thinking that, consider this: Five charitable giving ideas for year-end
With December 31 approaching, you may be reviewing your financial picture and your plans to support [ABC Charity] and other organizations you care about. Several federal charitable tax provisions took effect in 2026, making it especially worthwhile to plan with your tax providers not only for how much to give, but also when and how to give.
Here are five possibilities to discuss with your advisors—and with our team if [ABC Charity] is part of your plans.
If you’re thinking, “I want to give, but I take the standard deduction, and I am not sure about the tax benefits,” consider a qualifying cash gift.
Beginning in 2026, taxpayers who do not itemize may qualify for a federal income tax deduction of up to $1,000 for eligible cash gifts to qualifying charities, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. (This new rule only applies to cash gifts; gifts of stock are not eligible.) [ABC Charity] would be grateful to receive these gifts!
If you’re thinking, “I want to make a significant gift, but I’m not sure how much to commit at once,” consider a multiyear plan.
A multiyear plan for giving to [ABC Charity] may help you spread your generosity over time while allowing our team to plan with greater confidence. For donors considering a larger gift in one year, the new 0.5% adjusted-gross-income floor for itemized charitable deductions, and the still-high standard deduction, may also make the timing of gifts important. Your tax advisor can help you evaluate whether “bunching” contributions this year makes sense.
If you’re thinking, “I want to give without selling investments first,” consider appreciated stock.
If you have owned publicly traded shares for more than one year and they have appreciated, transferring them directly to [ABC Charity] may help you avoid recognizing capital gains on the appreciation and may provide a charitable deduction, subject to applicable IRS rules. As you work with your financial and tax advisors to make these gifts, please contact [ABC Charity] before transferring securities so we can confirm acceptance and help coordinate the gift.
If you’re thinking, “I have to take money out of my IRA anyway for required minimum distributions,” consider a qualified charitable distribution.
If you are at least age 70½, you may be eligible to direct a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA to an eligible organization such as [ABC Charity]. A qualifying QCD is generally excluded from taxable income and can count toward a required minimum distribution (if you have reached the age at which you are required to take them [typically 73]). For 2026, the annual limit is $111,000 per eligible IRA owner. The funds must follow the applicable direct-transfer rules. Please coordinate with your IRA custodian, financial advisor, and our team. We are here for you!
If you’re thinking, “I want my support to continue long after my lifetime,” consider a legacy gift.
A gift through your will or trust, or through a beneficiary designation on an IRA or other retirement account, can help carry forward [ABC Charity]’s mission for the long term. You might also consider pairing that future commitment with a current gift so you can experience your generosity at work today. We would be honored to provide information about [ABC Charity] for you and your estate planning advisors.
Of course, your personal circumstances and charitable goals should guide your decisions. A thoughtful gift isn't necessarily the largest or most complicated; it is the one that fits your priorities and helps accomplish something meaningful.
If you’re considering a year-end gift, please get in touch early enough to allow time for processing and coordination. We are grateful for every way you support [ABC Charity], today and in the years ahead.
[ABC Charity] is honored to be part of your charitable giving. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax, legal, and financial advisors to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.