Donor Knowledge Hub
Lean on us: Five reasons to call IECF
In an economic and legislative environment full of unpredictability, we encourage you to tap the knowledgeable team at IECF–perhaps even more than you have in the past. If you’ve already...
Philanthropy is for everyone: Three tips for young adults
“Philanthropy” may sound like something reserved for wealthy, “mature” adults, but that’s not at all the case. At IECF, we work with individuals of every generation, from young adults to retirees...
Tax deduction? What tax deduction?
Despite–or perhaps in light of–the recent whirlwind of commentary about new federal laws and the implications for the charitable deduction and charitable giving, it is really important keep in mind...
Back to school: Expanding support for education
It’s time for back-to-school planning! If education is on your mind, you’re in good company. Charitable giving to education rose in 2024 to more than $58 billion! If education and related causes are...
Succession planning: It’s not just for businesses
Many people think of succession planning as something only relevant to businesses or nonprofits. However, it's equally important when considering the legacy you want to leave through philanthropy,...
Navigating new laws: Opportunities for 2025
It’s more important than ever to stay informed about how changes in the tax law may affect your charitable giving. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates challenges as well...
Tax law changes: Time to study up?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, after the House of Representatives approved the Senate’s changes to H.R. 1, which passed the House by a narrow...
Advancing your purpose: Considerations for a philanthropic retirement
If you’ve recently retired, you may still be figuring out the ideal balance of activities. If you’ve been retired for several years, you might still be trying to figure it out! Time and again,...
More than meetings: Considerations for joining a board
If you’ve served on a charity’s board of directors, you know that the role demands much more than simply showing up for meetings. Charities benefit from board members’ active engagement, strategic...
Tax laws, what’s pending, and charitable giving solutions
Whether you’ve supported a fund at IECF, established your own fund, or are considering whether to get involved, it’s important to know that the team at IECF keeps a watchful eye on tax law changes...
“It’s so easy”: How IECF makes giving such a pleasure
As individuals, families, and businesses get more involved in charitable giving, it’s not uncommon to become overwhelmed with all the options for supporting favorite charities. Plus, it can be hard...
Yes, you are a philanthropist!
“Philanthropist” is a big word that often conjures up images of the ultra-wealthy making big donations to charities, especially when people like Bill Gates have been in the headlines lately. But the...
Comparing two scenarios: Why the step-up in basis matters
As you’ve watched the news about potential tax reform, a principle known as the “step-up in basis” might have caught your attention. Over the years, from time to time, draft legislation has proposed...
QCDs: Soon there may be more to love
If you are 70 ½ and older, by now you’ve likely heard about a charitable giving tool called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”), allowing you to direct a distribution from your IRA to an...
Uncertain times: FAQs about charitable giving
Economic turbulence, inflation concerns, and a general sense of financial instability have made 2025 very challenging for a lot of people. As you consider how to support your favorite charities this...
Make a plan–and make your favorite charities part of it
At some point during your adult life, you’ve likely realized that it would be wise to put in place a will, trust, and powers of attorney, as well as undertake at least a basic level of financial...
Crisis giving: Proceed with caution, but do proceed!
It’s a natural human response to want to help in a crisis–even though it’s hard for many people to ask for help. Indeed, Stanford social psychologist Xuan Zhao notes that people generally...
Many happy returns: How to help your kids celebrate charitable giving
If you’ve ever considered wrapping charitable giving into a child’s birthday party, you are not alone! Lots of parents are encouraging their kids to have guests bring gifts to charity instead of...
Giving later and now: Make an impact even before your legacy gift
According to the 2023 Giving USA Report released in June 2024, charitable bequests, totalling nearly $43 billion, are up 4.8% over the previous year, keeping pace with inflation. This extraordinary...
“Thanks, but …”: The hidden cost of small gifts to your favorite charities
Your favorite charities are grateful for your support over the years. Whether you make your gifts outright or support charities using a donor-advised or other type of fund at IECF, every gift makes...
Just the facts: Five tax time reminders for charitable giving
Tax time is a great reason to review the basics! At IECF, our goal is to help make the tax aspects of your charitable giving as easy and effective as possible. If you’ve already established a...
