Effective Strategies for Charitable Giving in 2026
In late 2025, in partnership with DAFgiving360, we hosted Mary Jovanovich, Senior Manager of Charitable Consulting, to share several strategies for tax-smart charitable giving in light of the new tax legislation beginning in 2026.
How might new legislation influence my giving?
Changes to the tax law, including an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as new legislation, may influence your charitable giving in tax year 2026. Notably, if you do not itemize your taxes, that charitable deduction has increased to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for married taxpayers, excluding donations made to private foundations or donor-advised funds.
There are also new tax provisions for those who itemize your tax returns. Itemized charitable deductions must now exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income. For example, if you gave $5,000 in 2025, you could write $5,000 on your tax return when you itemize. However, effective January 1st, 2026, instead of deducting the full $5,000, you must use a formula based on your adjusted gross income when you itemize.
If you are in the top tax bracket and your adjusted gross income exceeds $700,000 annually, in the 2026 tax year, your itemized charitable deductions are now capped at 35%. You are subject to the same 0.5% disallowance or exclusion. Despite these changes at the federal level, the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increases state and local deductions for those who itemize their charitable giving to $40,000, up from $10,000 previously.
How else might I donate?
You can combine multiple years of charitable contributions into a single tax year. This means giving the same amount you plan to give, but timing the donations differently. For example, if you make a $10,000 charitable gift annually, you could instead double the gift to $20,000 in one tax year and itemize your deductions, and then give $0 the following tax year and take the standard deduction.
You can also give highly appreciated stock, which reduces any oversized position in your investment portfolio while minimizing your taxes. Instead of selling stock, which is subject to capital gains tax, and donating the after-tax net proceeds, you can contribute the stock directly. This grants an additional amount to the causes you care about and saves on your taxes.
There are a number of ways to maximize your giving to nonprofits and also reduce your taxes. See below or visit DAFgiving360 for additional ideas.
How can I give to local causes?
Use Spur Local to browse 500+ trusted, critical nonprofits in the Greater Washington area. Every nonprofit undergoes a rigorous, human-centered review process that assesses leadership, impact, financial health, and community trust. Only organizations that meet these standards are included and considered partner nonprofits. Nonprofits do not pay to apply or be included as partners but are selected solely on the merits of their local impact by 150+ local volunteers who conduct our community-led review.
You can make one-time and recurring gifts online through Spur Local, by check, or by electronic transfer. We also accept gifts of appreciated stock through our brokerage with Charles Schwab and from donor-advised funds. More information is available here.
Spur Local is not affiliated with DAFgiving360. Spur Local makes no representations about the content of their programs and/or their effectiveness.
Spur Local does not give tax advice; we always recommend consulting a tax professional for any questions you may have.