Spotlight

What are you grateful for? Perhaps someone welcomed or encouraged you, help arrived when you needed it, or an opportunity opened a door. When your gratitude motivates charitable giving, it can be the beginning of something good for someone else while strengthening our work. Some gifts also provide tax and planning benefits. Remember What Made…

Who are the named beneficiaries on your IRA, retirement accounts, or life insurance policies? If you don’t immediately know the answer, it’s time to do a quick review to make sure your choices reflect your current situation and wishes. Luckily, updating a beneficiary designation is simple, and your review may reveal a powerful way to…

Labor Day is behind us and pumpkin spice season is already underway, but December 31 still feels distant. When you’re planning a gift from your IRA, though, the end of the year can arrive quickly. If you are age 70½ or older, a qualified charitable distribution can offer valuable tax advantages. Starting the process now…

Do you have a will? According to Trust & Will’s 2026 Estate Planning Report, 56% of adults in the U.S. have no estate planning documents at all. Writing or updating a will is easy to put off. Instead of looking at it as a daunting task, though, it helps to see a will or living…

Many people reach retirement wanting two things—dependable income and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. If that describes your situation, it might be worth exploring the many benefits of a charitable gift annuity (CGA). This gift not only supports our work but also provides guaranteed income payments for life along with attractive tax advantages.…

Making a meaningful impact isn’t always about giving more. Often, it’s about giving differently. While cash gifts are valuable, taking a few minutes to explore other assets and giving strategies may allow you to accomplish even more than you might expect. Thoughtful planning can provide tax benefits, preserve cash flow, and even create a lasting…

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who gave their lives in military service. It’s a moment of reflection rooted in gratitude and remembrance. That same spirit of remembrance can inspire how we honor the people who have shaped our own lives. A charitable gift in honor or memory of someone special is a…

Tax season tells you more than just what you owe. It also reveals opportunities to make smart decisions now that can improve your giving efficiency and next year’s taxes. While the numbers are still fresh, take the time to look closer and decide what type of charitable gift will best support your financial and philanthropic…

Spring cleaning often includes a reassessment of little-used items. Have you just forgotten to use them, or are they destined to be donated or thrown away? If you reassess your finances, you may realize that you haven’t been making good use of your donor-advised fund (DAF). Don’t let this important tool sit idle. Now is…

Claw hammers are built for two completely opposite functions—pounding in nails and pulling them out. That claw isn’t an afterthought, but some people never notice it until someone points it out to them. Your IRA also has two different functions—saving and giving. If you are age 70½ or older, you might consider shifting from tax-advantaged…