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All that and more: Your donor-advised fund may surprise you
A donor-advised fund is more than a charitable giving account – it’s a flexible tool that can adapt to life’s milestones, support tax-efficient giving, and engage future generations in philanthropy. At Kitsap Community Foundation, donor-advised funds combine administrative simplicity with personalized local expertise, helping donors maximize their impact while supporting the causes and community they care about most.

Lillian Xie
5 days ago2 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


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


Wake up call: OBBBA changes and client conversations
While advisors may already be familiar with recent tax law changes, many clients are just beginning to understand their impact. With new deduction floors, caps, and opportunities for non-itemizers, thoughtful planning matters more than ever. Even simple conversations about charitable strategies can help clients navigate complexity with confidence.

Tina O'Brien
May 53 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


Transferring a private foundation? Remind clients to communicate
As tax policy and wealth patterns evolve, philanthropic clients are increasingly split between ultra-high-net-worth families engaging in complex legacy planning and emerging donors taking their first structured steps into giving. By tailoring strategies to each group—from sophisticated estate and succession planning to accessible entry points like small annual gifts and Qualified Charitable Distributions—advisors can help clients build meaningful, sustainable philanthropic im

Tina O'Brien
Apr 163 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


Building Your Charitable Plan, Brick by Brick
Don’t let "decision fatigue" stop your generosity. Learn how to shift from intention to action by building your charitable plan one step at a time with the help of Kitsap Community Foundation.

Tina O'Brien
Mar 244 min read


Women and Philanthropy: Impact Across Generations
Women are reshaping the charitable landscape. From retired executives to young adults, learn how women across generations are using tools like donor-advised funds and giving circles to drive meaningful change in Kitsap.

Lillian Xie
Mar 243 min read


Business Succession Planning: Building a Family Legacy Through Philanthropy
A business sale is more than a financial event—it’s a personal transition. Learn how strategic philanthropy and donor-advised funds can serve as a "bridge" to maintain family unity and community identity during succession.

Tina O'Brien
Mar 234 min read


Documentation Matters: Two Recent Tax Rulings to Share with Your Clients
Recent IRS rulings emphasize that "good intentions" aren't enough for charitable deductions. We review the Gibson and Milk cases to help advisors ensure their clients' gifts meet strict substantiation and mission-drift requirements.

Tina O'Brien
Mar 235 min read


Tax Time 2026: Navigating New Rules and Staying the Course for Your Donors
Tax season 2026 brings new rules for itemizers, "above-the-line" deductions, and QCDs. Learn how these changes impact your donors and how Kitsap Community Foundation can help you navigate these conversations.

Tina O'Brien
Mar 235 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


What type of fund, or funds, is right for you?
Choosing the right charitable fund is about more than tax strategy—it’s about aligning your giving tools with your goals. Whether you’re drawn to the flexibility of a donor-advised fund, the lasting support of a designated fund, or the broad impact of an unrestricted or field-of-interest fund, Kitsap Community Foundation can help you build a thoughtful approach to philanthropy that reflects your values and evolves with you over time.

Lillian Xie
Feb 112 min read


Beyond the donor: Engaging advisors in stewardship
More donors are integrating charitable giving into broader financial and estate plans with guidance from trusted advisors. For nonprofits, this means communications must resonate beyond the donor alone. Clear messaging about impact, governance, and stewardship—paired with readiness to accept non-cash gifts—builds advisor confidence and helps advised donors move forward with generosity and purpose.

Lillian Xie
Feb 52 min read


Endowments and trust: What’s the connection?
Endowments are often discussed as tools for financial sustainability, but for many donors they also serve as powerful signals of trust. An endowment shows that an organization is planning for the long term, committed to strong stewardship, and prepared to carry its mission forward. When paired with clear governance and professional management, endowments can increase donor confidence and support meaningful legacy giving.

Tina O'Brien
Feb 52 min read


Case study: A QCD conversion in action
Qualified Charitable Distributions can be powerful for clients 70½+, but the rules can be confusing—especially around donor-advised funds. KCF helps advisors and clients understand which fund types qualify for QCDs and how to structure gifts that reduce taxable income while honoring charitable intent. With collaborative planning, QCDs become a clear, compliant, and meaningful giving strategy.

Tina O'Brien
Jan 75 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


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


Planning for clients’ incapacity: Why charitable intentions matter
As incapacity becomes more common, clearly documenting a client’s charitable intentions is essential to preserving their values and preventing future disputes. Kitsap Community Foundation supports advisors by offering guidance on bequest language, incapacity-ready giving instructions, and aligning intentions across estate documents. Our team is here to help ensure clients’ philanthropic goals remain protected, understood, and honored—even through periods of diminished capacit

Tina O'Brien
Dec 9, 20252 min read
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