When the standard deduction doubled, millions of generous households stopped itemizing — and with it, stopped receiving any tax benefit for their giving. The generosity continued; the deduction quietly vanished.
Bunch two years of gifts into one
Instead of giving the same amount every December, combine two or three years of donations into a single tax year. You itemize in the bunching year and take the standard deduction in the others — capturing a benefit your annual rhythm would miss.
Give the same total over time, but time the deduction so it counts.
Use a donor-advised fund
A donor-advised fund lets you take the full deduction in the contribution year while distributing grants to charities over later years. It is bunching, made orderly — one receipt now, steady giving later.
Give stock, not cash
Donating appreciated securities avoids capital-gains tax and still earns a deduction for the full market value. For charitably inclined investors, it is usually the most tax-efficient gift available.
Plan your giving
We model bunching, funds and stock gifts against your return.
