The Pros and Cons of Charitable Giving Strategies

Once you have provided for your own personal expenses and retirement, it may be time to consider how your money could benefit others.  

Giving away some of your money is a great way to support the people and organizations you love, but choosing the right strategy is essential for minimizing your taxes and meeting your personal goals. 

 

Gifting Strategy Overview  

CASH

How It Works: You make a donation directly via cash or check. It’s the giving strategy most are familiar with. 

 

Pros	Cons	Traditionally Used For
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year of donation (subject to limitations) Straightforward tax benefits  Simple donation process	Must acquire and track written record of donation to qualify for tax benefit  Capital gains tax may apply if you liquidate appreciated securities to make the donation.	Those making smaller donations that don’t require liquidating appreciated securities  Those who want a simple donation process

 

 

SECURITIES 

How It Works: Similar to cash donations, you can also gift different securities to a charity. Stocks are the most commonly gifted securities. 

 

Pros	Cons	Traditionally Used For
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year of donation (subject to limitations)  Avoids the capital gains tax you would incur if appreciated securities would need to be liquidated to make a cash donation  If you’ve held a stock for over a year and it has appreciated, you can deduct its fair market value from your taxes.	Must acquire and track written record of donation to qualify for tax benefit  Some charities struggle to liquidate complex or privately-held securities.  If you’ve held your stocks for less than a year or they’ve depreciated, the tax benefits don’t apply.	Those who want to maximize their tax benefits and have a portfolio that’s ideal for charitable giving  Those donating to charities that are accustomed to liquidating securities

 

 

QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (QCDs) 

How It Works: Funds transfer directly from your individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualifying charity of your choice. 

 

Pros	Cons	Traditionally Used For
Lowers adjusted gross income (AGI)  Counts toward your required minimum distributions for the year in which the contributions are made  Reduces the amount of taxable money in the IRA overall	You must be a certain age to contribute.  There are contribution limits.  Not all charities qualify to receive QCDs.  Not eligible for itemized charitable tax deduction  Must work with your IRA custodian to make your contribution directly from the account  Must acquire and track written record of donation to qualify for tax benefit	Those who don’t want to or can’t itemize on their taxes but want to lower their required minimum distributions, which counts toward AGI  Those who want to convert their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA at a lower tax rate

 

 

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS (DAF)  

How It Works: This method allows you to set aside assets in a special account, grow the funds over time, and then grant donations to qualifying charities of your choice at a later date. 

 

Pros	Cons	Traditionally Used For
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited  Ability to invest and grow contributions tax free  Full control over where and when donations are distributed  Ability to pass the account to heirs	Invested assets are irrevocable.  Not all charities qualify to receive donations from a DAF. Minimums are often required to open an account.  Asset management fees apply.	Those still developing their philanthropy strategy  Those who want the tax benefits of a donation in a certain calendar year, but distribute the donation at a different time  Those hoping to avoid capital gains tax or estate tax on donations

 

 

POOLED INCOME FUND 

How It Works: This method allows multiple contributors to donate to a special account managed by a nonprofit. The assets can grow over time and pay out dividends to all contributors. After the contributors pass away, the remaining funds go to the managing nonprofit. 

 

Pros	Cons	Traditionally Used For
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited  Flexible payout options  Avoid capital gains tax on appreciated securities donated  Assets aren’t considered part of the donor’s estate and avoid probate	Invested assets are irrevocable.  Complex regulations around what types of assets can be donated    Assets aren’t available to the charity during your lifetime	Those with a modest income who still want to make a charitable impact

  

 

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST (CLT) 

How It Works: Assets in a CLT create income for a charity over the term of the trust. After the term is over or the donor passes away, the remaining assets funnel to non-charitable beneficiaries. 

 

Pros	Cons	Traditionally Used For
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited  Charity payment amount, frequency, and duration are flexible.  Avoid capital gains tax on any appreciated securities donated  Reduces estate and gift taxes  Ability to see the immediate impact of charitable donations  Ability to pass wealth to heirs	Invested assets are irrevocable.  Heavy administrative demands and upkeep can make it expensive to maintain.  Assets are part of your estate and aren’t entirely exempt from estate and gift taxes	Those that want to pass assets to heirs while reducing the impact of gift and estate taxes  Those who want to see the impact of their charitable giving upfront

 

 

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST (CRT) 

How It Works: Assets housed in a CRT create income for non-charitable beneficiaries over the term of the trust. After the term is over or the donor passes away, the remaining assets funnel to charity. 

 

Pros	Cons	Traditionally Used For
Eligible for income tax benefits in the calendar year assets are deposited  Assets aren’t considered part of the donor’s estate and avoid probate  Avoid capital gains tax on any appreciated securities donated  Generates income for you and beneficiaries  Income amount, frequency, and duration are flexible.  Assets are generally not subject to gift or estate taxes	Invested assets are irrevocable.  Heavy administrative demands and upkeep can make the account expensive to maintain.  Assets aren’t available to the charity during the trust term or your lifetime  The value of the charitable gift could be diminished significantly without proper income planning.  CRT benefits won’t be realized with small gifts or estates.	Those with large estates, gifts, or appreciated assets that want to maximize their tax benefits while gifting to a charity  Those who require income for themselves or others, but still want to give

 

 

How to Identify the Right Strategy  

These are only some of the many giving strategies available. The best choice depends on many factors, including your unique financial and philanthropic goals.  

Talk to a financial professional about which giving strategy best suits you.  

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To learn more about which charitable giving strategy is best for you, email our team at [email protected]  

Source: “Pros and Cons of Charitable Giving Strategies.” Bamboo. n.d. download (emaplan.com)