Making a Difference

Planning Your 2026 Charitable Impact

January starts the year with a clean slate. In this time of renewal, many people set intentions and make plans for the year ahead. Few resolutions are as impactful as the decision to make a difference. Early gift planning helps you align your giving with your financial and charitable goals. For many people, it’s a good time to consider the benefits of donating appreciated stock.

It’s a flexible option. While publicly traded stock makes an easy gift, other types of securities also make powerful donations. Gifts of closely held stock or other more complex assets take longer, making early planning essential.  

It can help you rebalance your portfolio. The best choice of stock for a charitable gift depends on your portfolio, investment goals, and tax situation, but you might consider a stock that you’ve held for more than one year (which allows you to deduct the full fair market value), that has significant appreciation (which can provide the strongest tax benefits), or that lowered or cut its dividend.

It provides double tax benefits. If you choose to itemize, your gift qualifies for a deduction for the full fair market value of the stock (subject to limitations), and you owe no capital gains tax on the appreciation (as you would if you sold the stock). The capital gains tax savings can help offset any of the new limitations on deductions that apply starting in 2026, making this a particularly valuable gift option to consider this year.

It requires substantiation. If you plan to itemize your income tax deductions, properly substantiating your gift is critical to securing your tax benefit. For many securities that go beyond publicly traded stock, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal performed by an independent, qualified appraiser—yet another reason to start planning early in the year. 

The most impactful gifts lie at the intersection of smart planning and personal generosity. By setting your intentions early in the year, you ensure meaningful, difference-making support while securing useful tax benefits that align with your goals.