As 2025 winds down, many of our donors are thinking about ways to make a meaningful impact before December 31. Year-end giving is not only a powerful way to support the causes you care about most—it can also offer significant tax advantages. At the Community Foundation, we are honored to partner with you to align your generosity with the needs of our community.

Maximize Your Tax Benefits

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has changed the charitable landscape. Here are a few strategies to consider as you plan your year-end giving:

• Itemized deductions in 2025: With new thresholds on the horizon for 2026, this year is an important window to maximize itemized charitable gifts. Consider “bunching” donations into 2025 for greater impact.
• Appreciated assets: Donating stock or other appreciated securities can be more tax-savvy than giving cash. You’ll typically avoid capital gains taxes and still receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value.
• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): If you’re 70½ or older, you can direct up to $108,000 per taxpayer in 2025 from your IRA to eligible charities. QCDs reduce taxable income directly, even if you don’t itemize.

Create a Lasting Legacy

Year-end is also a natural time to think beyond today. Many donors choose to include the Community Foundation in their estate plans. Legacy gifts, such as naming a fund at the Foundation as a beneficiary of your IRA, can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to support the causes you love while reducing estate and income tax for your heirs.

The Power of Unrestricted Giving

When you give to our Unrestricted Fund, you allow the Community Foundation to respond to the community’s greatest needs, both now and in the future. The Wausau Marathon County Fund‘s flexible dollars empower us to act quickly when challenges arise and to invest in opportunities that make a lasting difference.

Join Us in Our Annual Appeal

Our annual appeal is underway, and we invite you to be part of this year’s collective impact. Every gift, large or small, strengthens our community, supports vital programs, and ensures that we can meet emerging needs with confidence and care.