top of page
Search


Good news keeps coming: Retirement plans and charitable giving
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) continue to be a powerful planning tool for charitable clients age 70½ and older. By directing IRA assets to charity, clients can satisfy RMD requirements, reduce taxable income, and support causes they care about. Learn how QCDs work, recent legislative developments, and three ways Kitsap Community Foundation can help clients maximize their impact.

Tina O'Brien
5 days ago3 min read


Split-interest charitable gifts: Need-to-know FAQs
Charitable gift annuities (CGAs) and charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) can help clients create income streams while supporting charitable causes. While both strategies offer tax and philanthropic benefits, they differ significantly in complexity, flexibility, and ideal use cases. Explore six frequently asked questions to help guide client conversations and determine which option may fit their goals.

Tina O'Brien
5 days ago3 min read


Getting creative: Unusual noncash assets can make great gifts to charity
Charitable planning doesn’t have to stop at cash and stock. From classic cars and boats to RVs and private collections, noncash assets can present unique opportunities for clients to simplify their estates, potentially reduce taxes, and support the causes they care about. Learn four key considerations for helping clients turn passion assets into lasting community impact.

Tina O'Brien
5 days ago3 min read


“Nice to meet you”: Introducing your advisors to the Kitsap Community Foundation team
Your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor each bring valuable expertise to your planning process—but charitable giving often benefits from a dedicated philanthropic partner, too. By connecting your advisors with Kitsap Community Foundation, you can create a more coordinated approach to achieving your financial, estate, and charitable goals while maximizing your impact in the community.

Tina O'Brien
5 days ago2 min read


A moment to meet: Philanthropy’s crucial role
“Meeting the moment” means responding to today’s most pressing community needs while keeping long-term impact in mind. Many donors are taking a flexible, portfolio-based approach to philanthropy that balances immediate support, future legacy planning, and investments in community resilience. Kitsap Community Foundation helps donors create giving strategies that adapt to changing needs while strengthening our region for generations to come.

Kimberly Cizek Allen
5 days ago3 min read


What type of donor are you? Finding your philanthropic profile
No two donors are exactly alike. Some give wherever needs arise, some focus on measurable impact, and others are building long-term charitable legacies. Kitsap Community Foundation works with donors at every stage of their philanthropic journey, helping individuals and families create giving strategies that reflect their values, goals, and vision for the Kitsap community.

Lillian Xie
May 73 min read


Step by step, it starts with “love of humanity”
Philanthropy is personal, and there’s no single “right” way to give. This month, we’re exploring how Kitsap Community Foundation helps donors connect their values, life experiences, and charitable goals to create lasting impact in our community. From donor-advised funds to legacy giving, we’re here to help you build a giving strategy that reflects what matters most to you.

Tina O'Brien
May 74 min read


Calling it splits: What happens to charitable assets in a divorce?
For many couples, philanthropy reflects shared values, but in the event of divorce, it can introduce unexpected complexity. From community property rules to questions of control over charitable funds, proactive and collaborative planning is key. Engaging both partners early helps protect both financial outcomes and long-term philanthropic intent.

Tina O'Brien
May 52 min read


Charitable giving, due diligence, and how KCF can help
With so many worthy causes and organizations, it’s natural for donors to feel uncertain about where their giving can make the greatest impact. By providing local insight, due diligence, and strategic guidance, Kitsap Community Foundation helps donors move forward with confidence. The result is a more thoughtful, informed approach to philanthropy—one that aligns with personal values and creates meaningful, lasting change.

Tina O'Brien
Apr 202 min read


Why 2026 is Different: Four Tax-Time Reminders
Tax season 2026 brings major changes to charitable deductions. We’ve broken down four essential reminders: from new AGI floors to QCD benefits: to help you keep your giving on track and tax-efficient.

Tina O'Brien
Mar 245 min read


Worth a look: Charitable gifts of real estate
As wealth increasingly shifts through appreciated real estate, charitable planning will involve more non-cash assets. While gifts of property require careful structuring and documentation, they can offer significant tax advantages and convert illiquid assets into lasting community impact. With proper coordination, real estate can become a flexible and meaningful tool for philanthropic planning.

Tina O'Brien
Feb 123 min read


Postmarks, rule changes, and remedies for clients’ 2025 charitable gifts
A late-2025 change in USPS postmark procedures created unexpected complications for year-end charitable deductions. Because the IRS relies on postmark dates to substantiate mailed gifts, some contributions intended for 2025 may be treated as 2026 gifts. Advisors can help clients preserve documentation, shift to electronic giving methods, and consider tools such as donor-advised funds to reduce timing risk in future years.

Tina O'Brien
Feb 123 min read


Sudden life changes: Charitable giving can help clients get through it
Major life transitions—divorce, loss, retirement, business change—often reshape financial plans in unexpected ways. In these moments, charitable planning can help clients move from reactive decision-making to values-based action. Whether through a donor-advised, designated, or field-of-interest fund, Kitsap Community Foundation partners with advisors to turn difficult seasons into meaningful, forward-looking strategies that reflect purpose and community impact.

Tina O'Brien
Feb 112 min read


Eye on the storms: Keep giving
When life feels uncertain, it’s natural to reassess your financial plans—including charitable giving. The choice is rarely all-or-nothing. Often, the most thoughtful approach is to adjust the pace, focus, or structure of your giving so it remains both meaningful and sustainable. Kitsap Community Foundation is here to help you explore flexible options that align with your values and current circumstances.

Tina O'Brien
Feb 112 min read


Charitable giving: Timing, timing, timing
While impact stories explain why giving matters, timing often determines when donors act. Life events, tax planning, and moments of urgency all influence readiness to give. By aligning your communications with these natural decision points—and reducing friction around how to give—nonprofits can build trust, support donor decision-making, and strengthen fundraising efforts in 2026 and beyond.

Jo Delaney
Feb 52 min read


Keep going: Why donor-advised funds are still essential
Even with the 0.5% floor and 35% cap now in effect, donor-advised funds remain a highly relevant planning tool. KCF’s DAFs provide flexibility, local expertise, and meaningful opportunities for impact—helping clients align timing, strategy, and community priorities. For advisors, DAFs continue to support long-term, holistic planning and values-driven philanthropy.

Tina O'Brien
Jan 72 min read


What’s new in the numbers: A checklist for charitable tax rules in 2026
Key 2026 tax adjustments—COLA increases, higher standard deductions, shifted brackets, expanded QCD limits, and new non-itemizer deductions—all influence charitable planning. Kitsap Community Foundation can help you guide clients toward tax-efficient giving strategies and ensure their philanthropy remains impactful and aligned with evolving rules.

Tina O'Brien
Jan 73 min read


Underappreciated and overlooked: Why life insurance matters to charitable giving
Even when a life insurance policy is no longer needed for its original purpose, it can still create meaningful charitable impact. Whether you name a fund at KCF as the beneficiary, transfer ownership of an existing policy, or explore more advanced planning strategies, life insurance can offer flexibility, tax benefits, and long-term support for the causes you care about. The KCF team is here to help you evaluate your options.

Tina O'Brien
Jan 72 min read


Get started now: Your 2026 new year checklist for charitable giving
A new year is the perfect time to bring clarity to your charitable giving. By reviewing last year’s contributions, consulting your tax advisors early, and setting thoughtful goals for 2026, you can align your philanthropy with your values. Kitsap Community Foundation is here to help you plan intentionally, explore opportunities, and build a giving strategy that creates lasting impact.

Tina O'Brien
Jan 72 min read


Charitable tax law changes for 2026: Keeping your tax advisors in the loop
A new year is a great time to review your charitable priorities—especially with 2026 tax changes that may affect giving strategies. From new itemizing thresholds to updated incentives for non-itemizers and retirees, it’s important to loop in your tax advisors early. Kitsap Community Foundation is here to coordinate with your financial team so you can meet your charitable goals with clarity and confidence.

Tina O'Brien
Jan 74 min read
bottom of page
