article by Jessica Renstrom | photo courtesy of Ryan Gomendi

As the holiday season approaches, many of us feel inspired to give back to our favorite nonprofits, causes, or places of worship. But according to Ryan Gomendi, Financial Advisor, Certified Kingdom Advisor®, Certified Financial Planner, and Co-Owner of Strategic Retirement Plans, giving can be both generous and strategic. By being intentional with how we give, we can maximize the impact of our gifts for both ourselves and the organizations we support.

Here are a few of the most effective ways to better make your end-of-year giving go further:

1) GIFT APPRECIATED STOCK INSTEAD OF CASH

If you own stocks or mutual funds that have increased in value (and they’re held in a taxable (non-retirement) account), consider donating those shares directly to a qualified nonprofit. You’ll avoid paying capital gains taxes and still receive a deduction for the full fair market value of the asset.

“Let’s say you bought $10,000 of Apple stock that’s now worth $20,000,” Ryan explains. “If you sell it, you'd owe taxes on the $10,000 gain. But if you gift the stock, you avoid the tax and still get credit for the full $20,000 donation.”

2) USE A DONOR-ADVISED FUND (DAF)

If you’ve experienced a high-income year, perhaps from a business sale or large bonus, but don’t want to donate all at once, a donor-advised fund offers flexibility. You receive the tax deduction in the year you contribute to the fund, but you can spread out the actual donations over future years.

This is a powerful tool for individuals who want to "tithe" on a large sum while maintaining control over when and how the funds are distributed.

3) BUNDLE YOUR GIVING (AKA “BUNCHING”)

With the increased standard deduction following the 2017 tax reforms, many people no longer itemize their deductions, which means charitable giving often doesn’t affect their tax return. One workaround is bunching: making two or more years’ worth of donations in a single year to exceed the standard deduction and itemize. Then take the standard deduction the following year. This enables you to maximize your tax deductions in certain years while maintaining your regular giving pattern over time.

4) QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (QCDS) FOR RETIREES

If you're 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA using a Qualified Charitable Distribution. This allows you to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) while excluding the donation from your taxable income, a win-win for retirees looking to give efficiently.

5) CONSIDER NON-CASH OR COMPLEX ASSETS

You can also donate real estate, privately held business shares, or other non-cash assets. These gifts often require more planning, but can yield significant tax benefits (especially for those with substantial holdings).

Ryan also mentioned tools like charitable remainder trusts or charitable gift annuities, which allow you to give a large gift while retaining some income during your lifetime. The benefit to these is that they allow you to support meaningful causes while still maintaining financial security. You can receive a steady income during your lifetime, potentially reduce taxes, and ensure that the remainder of your gift continues to make an impact for years to come.

The Bottom Line: Plan Your Giving

Intentional giving is about more than writing a December check—it’s about aligning your generosity with your goals and making each dollar count. The best gifts support the causes close to your heart while taking advantage of tax-smart strategies.

“Talk to your financial advisor or tax professional,” Ryan says. After all, “well-planned gifting can benefit everyone.”

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”

— Oscar Wilde

Originally printed in the December 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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