As the year progresses, charitable giving often takes center stage—but the smartest giving strategies start now. If you’re 70½ or older and have an IRA, you have a unique opportunity to make a difference and reduce your tax burden through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
Starting at age 73, the IRS requires you to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA. These distributions count as taxable income—unless you use a QCD, which allows you to donate directly to a qualified nonprofit (up to $100,000 annually, or $105,000 in 2024). A QCD can satisfy all or part of your RMD and is excluded from your taxable income.
But here’s where planning ahead gets even better.
Thanks to a special opportunity through December 31, 2025, every QCD or RMD gift made to the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Lilly Endowment Inc.
That means your charitable gift through CFGFW can have twice the impact—supporting community programs and initiatives far beyond what your RMD alone could do.
Why plan your QCD or RMD now?
· Skip the year-end scramble. Avoid the December rush by talking to your advisor now and making a plan that’s aligned with your goals.
· Double your impact. Your QCD or RMD gift to CFGFW will be matched 1:1, turning your $5,000 gift into $10,000 of community support.
· Make your giving more meaningful. We can help direct your contribution to the areas you care about most, whether it’s education, economic mobility, or local nonprofits.
Whether you’re a donor ready to make a difference or a professional advisor guiding clients through their charitable planning, now is the time to think about how your giving can go further.
Have questions about how to take advantage of this unique opportunity? Let’s talk. We’d love to help you make the most of your QCD or RMD. Contact a member of our team today.