Your generosity continues to fuel transformative projects across Howard County. As the heart of philanthropy in Howard County, our team is always here to help you meet your philanthropic goals, maximize your impact, and get the most tax benefits from your giving.
Here are some ideas for your year-end giving:
- Give a donation directly to your favorite nonprofit or the cause you care about most.
- If you have a Donor-Advised Fund, make grants to support your favorite causes.
- Consider opening a new Donor-Advised Fund here at CFHC with a donation now for year-end tax advantages, and then make grants at a later date.
- Want to help, but you’re not sure where to give? Donate to our Local Giving, Better Living Fund to support our annual Community Grants program. Our Grant Committee experts review grant applications and ensure your gift is used to its fullest.
- Want to support local food assistance programs? Donate to our Howard County Community Relief Fund. All donations made in November will be distributed to combat food insecurity.
- Support the efforts of the Community Foundation with a gift to our Civic Leadership Fund.
To help you make the most of your philanthropic goals, we’ve outlined smart end-of-year giving strategies—especially the benefits of gifting stocks and securities. These thoughtful approaches can strengthen our community and offer you significant tax advantages before December 31.
Why Gifts of Stocks and Securities Matter
Gifting appreciated securities—whether publicly traded stocks, bonds, or mutual funds—lets you:
- Avoid capital gains tax on the increase in value since you purchased the security
- Receive a charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the gift
- Simplify your philanthropic planning by transferring assets directly through your broker
These benefits often exceed what you’d gain by selling the asset, paying tax on the profit, and donating the cash proceeds.
Smart Strategies for Your 2025 Giving
- Give Publicly Traded Securities
- Transfer shares directly to the Community Foundation’s brokerage account.
- Deduct the full market value and bypass capital gains tax.
- Fund a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) with Securities
- Make a lump-sum gift of stock to your DAF and receive an immediate deduction.
- Recommend grants to causes you love throughout the year.
- Use “Bunching” to Exceed Standard Deductions
- Combine two or more years of planned giving into 2025 by gifting securities now.
- Optimize itemized deductions if you’d otherwise fall below the threshold.
- Gift Restricted or Private Company Stock
- We can advise on valuation and transfer logistics for closely held securities.
- Leverage unique assets that have appreciated over time.
- Consider Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs
- If you’re 70½ or older, direct up to $100,000 from your IRA to a qualified charity.*
- This reduces your taxable income without affecting your adjusted gross income.
*Note: QCDs don’t require gifting securities, but pairing QCDs with securities gifts can maximize tax efficiency.
Next Steps
To ensure your gift is processed by December 31:
- Contact your financial advisor or broker to initiate the transfer of securities.
- Provide them with our brokerage details:
- • DTC Number: 2803
• Account Name: The Community Foundation of Howard County
• Account Number: 9652028
• EIN: 52-0937644 - Email our team at info@cfhoco.org with a note of your intent and transfer confirmation.
We’re here to guide you through every step. If you have questions about specific assets or need personalized advice, please reach out to Dan Flynn directly at dflynn@cfhoco.org or call (410) 730-7840 x8.
Thank you for your trust and partnership. Your year-end support—especially through gifts of stocks and securities—ensures that the Community Foundation can continue addressing local challenges, fueling innovation, and building lasting legacies.