Setting your 2026 plans in motion, unrestricted giving, and leaving a legacy when you don’t have kids
Greetings from [ABC Charity]!
It’s February, and (wishful??) thoughts begin to turn to warmer weather. Despite the reality that many more weeks of winter are in front of us, it’s still important to think ahead to ensure that your charitable giving plans are on track for 2026. Time goes by quickly! Wherever you find yourself, now is an ideal moment to step back, reflect, think strategically about how your generosity can do the most good, and, most importantly, set your plans in motion!
In this issue, we’re sharing three timely perspectives that frequently come up in conversations with donors at this point in the calendar year:
Practical steps you can take now to approach charitable giving thoughtfully for the remainder of 2026.
Why your unrestricted support plays such an important role in helping [ABC Charity] meet evolving needs.
How donors without children often think creatively about legacy, impact, and long-term charitable planning to support [ABC Charity] and other favorite causes.
We invite you to discuss any of these topics with your tax, legal, and financial advisors, and we’re always glad to stay connected as part of those discussions.
At [ABC Charity], we are deeply grateful for the generosity of individuals and families who support our work and make our mission possible. Your commitment—whether through financial support, advocacy, or sharing our story with others—continues to create meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of the people and community we serve.
Thank you!
–Your friends at [ABC Charity]
THIS MONTH’S
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2026 is going fast! Have you started your charitable planning?
At [ABC Charity], we’re grateful for the many individuals and families who support our mission year after year. As we settle into 2026, this is a great moment to pause, take stock, and ensure your charitable plans for the year ahead are aligned with your values and your overall financial picture.
Here are seven suggestions to evaluate with your tax advisors before the year starts to slip away:
Understand how recent tax changes affect you. Charitable deduction rules continue to evolve, and the impact can vary widely depending on your income, assets, and filing status. Early in the year is the ideal time to talk with your tax advisors about how charitable giving fits into your 2026 plan.
Revisit whether “bunching” makes sense. Some donors choose to concentrate multiple years of giving into a single year to maximize deductions, while others prefer steady annual support. Your advisors can help you evaluate which approach best aligns with your situation this year.
Be intentional about timing. Planning gifts early gives you flexibility—whether you want to support [ABC Charity] and other favorite charities throughout the year, respond to unexpected needs, or coordinate gifts alongside other financial decisions.
Consider non-cash gifts. Donating appreciated assets such as publicly traded stock can be a powerful way to support [ABC Charity] while potentially reducing capital gains taxes. These strategies require coordination, so it’s wise to start conversations now.
Explore IRA-based giving if you’re eligible. If you are age 70½ or older, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) remain an effective way to support [ABC Charity] directly from an IRA while managing taxable income. Be sure to confirm the rules and mechanics with your tax advisors.
Review beneficiary designations. Retirement accounts are often among the most tax-sensitive assets to address in your estate plan. Some donors choose to include [ABC Charity] in their IRA beneficiary planning to create a lasting impact and optimize the tax effects of various estate assets for heirs.
Avoid last-minute pressure later in the year. More complex gifts—such as real estate or closely held business interests—take time to structure properly. [ABC Charity] welcomes the opportunity to explore all types of gifts. Even if you’re only beginning to consider options with your tax advisors, starting early in 2026 gives you breathing room.
Above all, we encourage you to loop in your tax and financial advisors early and keep [ABC Charity] informed as part of those conversations. We’re always happy to coordinate with your advisors so that your generosity is implemented smoothly and supports [ABC Charity]’s mission for generations to come.
Unrestricted giving, QCDs, and why flexibility matters
As a supporter of [ABC Charity], you already understand the power of philanthropy to strengthen communities and improve lives. Across the country, donors are increasingly thoughtful not only about how much they give but also about how their gifts can be most effective—especially during times of change and uncertainty.
Many donors are considering increasing their general (or “unrestricted”) gifts this year, in addition to continuing support designated for one or more of [ABC Charity]’s specific programs. Unrestricted gifts are among the most powerful ways you can support [ABC Charity]. These gifts give us the flexibility to respond to real needs as they arise, rather than being limited to what was foreseeable months or years in advance. When circumstances change—whether due to emerging challenges, unexpected opportunities, or urgent community needs—unrestricted support allows us to act quickly, responsibly, and effectively in service of our mission.
Unrestricted gifts also strengthen our organization's long-term health. Indeed, general operating support helps cover essential costs such as staffing, technology, infrastructure, and innovation—the behind-the-scenes work that makes every program possible. While program-specific gifts are vital, unrestricted support ensures that [ABC Charity] remains resilient, adaptable, and well-positioned to deliver meaningful impact today and into the future.
Most importantly, unrestricted giving is an expression of your trust. It signals confidence in our leadership, our stewardship, and our ability to direct resources where they will do the greatest good. When you make an unrestricted gift to [ABC Charity], you are partnering with us at the highest level—empowering us to pursue our mission with integrity, responsiveness, and a long-term view of the community we serve. We are deeply grateful for that trust, and for the difference it makes every day.
No matter how you choose to give, your generosity fuels our ability to plan responsibly, respond effectively, and serve our community with integrity. Thank you!
No kids? Three planning ideas for shaping a meaningful charitable legacy
Many people without children spend time intentionally reflecting on the legacy they want to leave behind. Without the traditional framework of passing assets to heirs, charitable giving often becomes a central way to express values, identity, and long-term impact.
If this resonates with you—or with family members you advise—here are three planning ideas to consider as you think about charitable giving in 2026 and beyond:
Treat philanthropy as an expression of who you are. For donors without children, charitable causes often become a defining part of their story. Giving can reflect personal experiences, passions, or the values that have guided a lifetime. Many donors choose to support [ABC Charity] because it feels deeply personal, and in some cases, personal involvement is memorialized through a naming opportunity.
Integrate charitable goals into your estate planning. Charitable giving can be thoughtfully coordinated with estate and financial plans, especially when there is greater flexibility in how assets are distributed. Working with your estate planning and tax advisors allows you to structure gifts to [ABC Charity] and other favorite organizations that reflect your priorities while also being tax-efficient and clear for those administering your plans.
Consider involving extended family or trusted individuals. Some donors choose to include nieces, nephews, younger relatives, or even close friends in their philanthropic journey. This might mean sharing decision-making during your lifetime, getting others involved in [ABC Charity] to experience the joy of giving alongside you, or setting up structures that allow others to carry forward your charitable vision in the future.
As always, we encourage you to start these conversations with your legal and tax advisors as early as possible. We would be honored if you kept [ABC Charity] informed if a gift to our organization is part of your plans. We’re happy to help transform your lifetime values into lasting impact.
This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial advice. We encourage donors to consult their professional advisors when considering charitable gifts.