Year-End Giving: Maximize Impact and Align Your Legacy

As we approach year‑end, many families turn their attention to charitable giving. Well‑considered gifts can support meaningful causes, reflect your family mission, and complement your broader financial plan. For families focused on legacy, multigenerational impact, and thoughtful stewardship, this is an excellent time to pause, evaluate, and act.

In this blog post we will cover: What has changed in the law and how it may affect your giving, key strategic considerations for year‑end giving, and how Apriem’s Charitable Services can assist you.

What Has Changed – Law & Regulation Highlights

Significant tax‑law changes will take effect beginning in tax year 2026. Understanding these now can help you act this year, when the current rules apply.

a. Itemizers – New deduction floor and reduced benefit for top‐bracket donors

Under the law signed in July 2025 (commonly referenced as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), beginning in 2026:

• Charitable contribution deductions will only apply for the portion of your gift that exceeds 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). 1

• For taxpayers in the top federal marginal bracket, the tax‑benefit value of an itemized charitable deduction will be capped at 35% of the gift, instead of the current marginal rate (~37%) for many. 2

Because these changes apply in 2026, gifts made by December 31, 2025 benefit from the older rules.

b. Non‑itemizers – New “above‑the‑line” deduction for cash gifts

Traditionally, only taxpayers who itemize could deduct charitable contributions. Commencing in 2026, cash gifts to qualified public charities will allow non‑itemizers to claim a deduction of:

• Up to $1,000 for single filers

• Up to $2,000 for married filing jointly 3

However, note that gifts to donor‑advised funds (DAFs) or private foundations do not qualify for this deduction. 4

c. Timing opportunity for 2025

Because the new deduction floor and cap rules apply in 2026, accelerating or “bunching” planned giving into 2025 may allow families to maximize tax benefit under current rules. 2

Strategic Considerations for Year-End Giving

To align your philanthropy with your family’s mission and financial plan, consider the following steps:

✔ Review your charitable budget and giving goals

Start with: What causes matter to your family? How does your giving support your legacy and values? Next, examine your tax situation: Are you likely to itemize or take the standard deduction? Are you in a higher tax bracket? These factors help determine your optimal giving strategy.

✔ Consider asset type and tax benefit

Cash gifts are straightforward. But long‑term appreciated assets (stocks, mutual funds) may offer additional tax advantages (capital gain avoidance + deduction). Also consider qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs if you are over age 70½.

✔ Timing matters

Given the upcoming changes, you might accelerate part of your future planned giving into 2025. This can lock in the higher deduction value and avoid the new floor/cap rules that apply in 2026.

✔ Use donor‑advised funds (DAFs) thoughtfully

If you anticipate regular charitable giving, a DAF may serve as a pooling vehicle: make a gift now, secure the deduction in 2025, then distribute to charities over time. This strategy may offer flexibility and tax‑planning benefit. That said, gifts to a DAF will not qualify for the new non‑itemizer deduction.

✔ Align giving with your family’s vision

Effective philanthropy is not only tax‑efficient but also mission‑driven. Writing a family mission/vision statement can guide how and where you give, ensuring the gift reinforces what your family stands for and the multigenerational legacy you desire.

✔ Document everything

Ensure you receive acknowledgments from charities, especially for gifts of $250+; track the date of gift (must be by December 31 for 2025 deduction); ensure any non‑cash asset gift is properly valued and documented per IRS rules.

How Apriem’s Charitable Services ​Can Support You

At Apriem, our Charitable Services team provides integrated support that includes:

• Philanthropic planning aligned with your broader financial strategy (wealth accumulation, risk management, multigenerational transfer)

• Guidance on timing and structure of giving, considering tax law changes, asset type, and family objectives

• Coordination with your charitable vehicle (DAF, private foundation, direct gifts), legal advisors, and tax professionals

• Family governance facilitation: helping you engage next‑generation family members, define mission/vision statements, and embed philanthropy into your wealth‑legacy framework

Final Thoughts

Year‑end giving offers more than tax advantages. It offers an opportunity to reflect on what matters most, engage your family in purposeful generosity, and align your wealth with your legacy. With law changes on the horizon, acting before the end of 2025 may improve your potential benefit and strategic flexibility.

If you would like to explore how your giving strategy fits into your overall financial plan—or to discuss how our Charitable Services can assist you—please reach out. We’d be pleased to work with you.

Thank you for partnering with Apriem Advisors. Here’s to purposeful giving, and a meaningful finish to 2025.

Disclosures:

Advisory services offered by Apriem Advisors (“Apriem”), a registered investment adviser with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Any reference to or use of the terms “registered investment adviser” or “registered,” does not imply that Apriem Advisors or any person associated with Apriem Advisors has achieved a certain level of skill or training. Apriem Advisors may only transact business or render personalized investment advice in those states and international jurisdictions where we are registered, notice filed, or where we qualify for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. For complete information about our firm, please refer to our Form ADV Part 2A, 2B and CRS at any time.

The information contained herein is not written or intended as financial, tax or legal advice. The information provided herein may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek financial, tax and legal advice from your professional advisors. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisors before implementing any transactions and/or strategies concerning your finances.

The term “plan” or “planning”, when used herein, does not imply that a recommendation has been made to implement one or more financial plans or make a particular investment. Nor does this article provide legal, accounting, financial, tax or other advice. Rather, this article and the illustrations therein provide a summary of certain potential financial strategies.

Sources:

1. DAFGiving360

2. Kreisher Miller, 2025

3. The Denver Foundation, 2025

4. The ACTEC Foundation

Copyright © 2025 Apriem Advisors, All rights reserved.