Before your clients ring in the new year, make sure they are on track to meet their financial and charitable goals for 2025. Here are 8 strategies you can share with your clients at year-end.

1. Review your beneficiary designations. Ensure your beneficiaries are up to date on your retirement accounts, insurance policies and other assets. Naming a charity like CFHZ as your primary or secondary beneficiary is an easy way to make a significant future impact at no additional cost to you now.
2. Satisfy your required minimum distributions. If you own a traditional or inherited IRA and haven’t yet taken your RMD for 2025, you can transfer up to $108,000 directly to charity and avoid paying taxes on the distribution. This tax-savvy strategy is available to all IRA owners beginning at age 70 ½.
3. Take inventory of your life insurance policies. Many people discover they have insurance policies they no longer need because their children are now financially independent, their mortgage is paid off, or they have retired. Consider transferring the ownership of an unneeded policy to charity in exchange for a tax deduction.
4. Evaluate the performance of your investments. If your portfolio has grown this year, consider the benefits of donating appreciated stock. You’ll receive a deduction for the fair market value and also eliminate capital gains taxes, which means more money will go to your favorite causes.
5. Bunch your gifts in a charitable fund. By consolidating multiple years of donations into a single tax year, you can exceed the standard deduction threshold and claim your full tax deduction now, while spreading out grants to your favorite charities over time. Learn more about fund types at CFHZ.
6. Consider your business succession plans. Many business owners take stock of their goals and future plans at year-end. If retirement is on the horizon, owners of a privately held company can offset taxes from the sale by donating a portion of the interests to charity. For the best outcome, start the conversation well in advance of any potential sale.
7. Assess your estate planning documents. Review your will, trust and powers of attorney to ensure they reflect your current wishes. You’ll achieve the most tax savings by leaving your IRAs to charity and other assets to your family. New rules on inherited IRAs mean your beneficiaries may face a hefty tax burden, but these same assets can go to charity tax-free.
8. Set goals for the coming year. As you’re mapping out your savings and investment goals for 2026, take time to consider your charitable priorities, as well. With the wide array of giving options offered by CFHZ, you may be able to give more than you ever imagined possible.

We always encourage donors to first seek the advice of their legal, financial, or tax advisors when considering a gift of non-cash assets. While our team does not offer tax advice, we stay knowledgeable on charitable giving strategies. Please contact Colleen Hill, Vice President of Development & Donor Services, at chill@cfhz.org or by calling 616–994–8853 if we can help you serve your clients.