Click here for a reminder about IRS rules this giving season
As 2025 comes to a close, your gift to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida can help protect our region’s water, land, wildlife, and future — and may also provide meaningful tax benefits. Below is a high-level overview of recent tax law changes to keep on your radar as you plan your giving for 2025 and beyond. As always, please consult your financial advisor or tax professional about what’s best for you.
How Recent Tax Law Changes May Affect Your Giving
Change: New floor for itemizers
Starting with the 2026 tax year, you will need to give at least 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) to claim a charitable deduction.
What this means: If you itemize, you may want to maximize your charitable giving in 2025 before this threshold takes effect.
Change: New limit for top earners
Currently, top earners receive a 37-cent tax benefit for every dollar deducted. Starting in 2026, that benefit drops to 35 cents.
What this means: If you’re in the highest tax bracket, giving more in 2025 may deliver greater tax savings.
Change: SALT deduction cap increases
The State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction limit increases from $10,000 to $40,000 beginning in 2025, rises by 1% annually through 2029, then reverts to $10,000 in 2030.
What this means: The higher cap may influence whether you itemize and how you structure your charitable giving, especially if you live in a higher-tax area.
Change: Higher standard deduction made permanent (indexed for inflation)
For 2025, the standard deduction will be $15,750 (single) and $31,500 (married filing jointly). If you are 65 or older, you may qualify for an additional deduction of up to $6,000, subject to income phaseouts.
What this means: Even if you don’t itemize, there may be tax-smart ways to give, such as appreciated assets or qualified charitable distributions from an IRA (if eligible).
Change: Cash deduction limit made permanent
You can continue to deduct cash gifts up to 60% of your AGI.
What this means: A blended strategy, combining cash and non-cash assets, may help maximize both your tax benefits and your impact.
Meaningful Year-End Ways to Give
Make an immediate difference with a cash gift
Support the Conservancy with a gift by check or online. Your gift may qualify for a federal charitable deduction.
Important note: Mailed gifts must be postmarked on or before December 31 to count for 2025.
Give appreciated stock
Donating stock you’ve held for more than one year may allow you to avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value.
Important note: For electronic transfers, the gift date is when the stock reaches our account, not when the transfer is initiated.
Recommend a grant from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
If you plan to give in 2025, consider recommending a grant, or recurring grants, from your DAF to support the Conservancy’s mission.
Important note: The tax deduction generally occurs when you contribute to the DAF; recommending a grant allows you to create impact now.
Make a gift from your IRA (if eligible)
If you are 70½ or older, you may be able to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA, potentially reducing taxable income while supporting conservation.
Important note: Your IRA administrator must complete the transfer by December 31 (and any IRA check must clear by year-end if applicable).
Create income for life
Charitable gift annuities can provide dependable income while supporting the Conservancy long-term.
Important note: Start early to ensure everything is completed before year-end.
End 2025 on a High Note
If you’d like guidance on the best way to structure a year-end or legacy gift to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, please contact Jan Fernandez, Director of Development, at janf@conservancy.org. We’re happy to work with you and your advisor to help you create the greatest possible impact for Southwest Florida’s natural environment.