10 Ways to Give—Without Writing a Check

Editor’s note: Jonathan Clements (1963–2025), HumbleDollar’s founder and a former Wall Street Journal personal-finance columnist, died on Sept. 21, 2025. This piece honors his plain-English approach to money and giving.

Jonathan Clements taught us that money is a means to a life that’s human, hopeful, and helpful. One of the best ways to live it out is to give with intention and make an impact. In that spirit—and in this season of thanks—here are 10 ways to support the charitable causes you love without writing a check.

1) Appreciated investments

Donate long-term stock, ETFs, or mutual funds. The charity receives the full market value, and you typically avoid capital gains tax (deduction available if you itemize). Ask your custodian for DTC (Depository Trust Company) instructions and the nonprofit’s account name now—mid-December cutoffs are common.

2) Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from an IRA (age 70½+)

Have your IRA custodian send funds directly to a qualified public charity so the gift bypasses your taxable income and can satisfy RMDs. For 2025, the QCD limit is $108,000 per person. Each spouse with their own IRA can make up to that amount. QCDs cannot be transferred to donor-advised funds or private foundations. Complete the DTC/transfer by Dec. 31 and keep the acknowledgment.

3) Fund a donor-advised fund (DAF) with appreciated assets

“Bunch” several years of giving into one contribution (often with appreciated shares), then recommend grants over time. Handy in a high-income year (sale, bonus, Roth conversion) when you want the deduction now and grants later. (Reminder: QCDs can’t go to DAFs—see #2.)

 4) Beneficiary designations on accounts

Name a nonprofit as a beneficiary of IRAs, brokerage, or bank accounts—often a one-page form. Use a percentage, not a dollar amount, so the gift scales with your estate. Verify the charity’s legal name and Employer Identification Number (EIN) so your custodian titles it correctly.

 5) Bequests in a will or trust

Leave a percentage, a dollar amount, or the remainder to charity. Easy to add, easy to change later—quiet generosity that speaks loudly.

6) Life insurance gifts

Name a charity as policy beneficiary—or, if it fits your plan, transfer ownership of a paid-up policy. Some donors also gift annual premiums to keep a policy in force.

 7) Real estate gifts

A home, condo, or parcel of land can be donated outright or via specialized partners, potentially avoiding capital gains while making a transformational gift. Coordinate early—these take time.

 8) Charitable gift annuity (CGA)

Receive fixed payments for life and a partial deduction now; the charity receives the remainder later. Under SECURE 2.0, there’s also a one-time IRA transfer to a CGA/CRT using your QCD election—about $54,000 in 2025 (indexed).

 9) Charitable remainder or lead trusts (CRT/CLT)

Split-interest trusts can balance income needs, taxes, and legacy goals. They require professional help, but can be elegant solutions for larger gifts or complex assets.

 10) In-kind noncash property.

Vehicles, equipment, and other tangible items (for which appraisal may be required) can meet a nonprofit’s needs and yield a tax deduction. Keep good records; Form 8283 and a qualified appraisal are needed at certain thresholds.

2025 tax-wise giving (what’s useful now—and what changes in 2026)

• 2025 remains friendly to strategies that don’t depend on itemizing—QCDs and appreciated-asset gifts—since many households will still take the standard deduction.
• Starting in 2026, new federal rules change the math: a 0.5% AGI floor for itemized charitable deductions, a 35% cap on the benefit of deductions for those in the top bracket, and a modest above-the-line deduction for non-itemizers—$1,000 (single)/$2,000 (MFJ) for cash gifts to public charities (not DAFs or private foundations). Many donors are accelerating gifts into 2025, often through DAFs, to take advantage of current-year rules.

Year-end steps (quick checklist)

• Decide itemize vs. standard for 2025. If you won’t itemize, favor QCDs (70½+) or appreciated-asset gifts/DAF funding.
• Initiate appreciated-securities transfers early. Brokers often impose mid-December cutoffs; get the charity’s transfer instructions now.
• For QCDs: request your custodian’s form; ensure funds go directly to the charity and arrive by Dec. 31; keep the acknowledgment.
• For the one-time IRA-to-CGA/CRT (2025): confirm the charity/trustee can execute documents before year-end; the cap is ~$54,000 per person.
• Documentation: gifts $250+ need a contemporaneous acknowledgment; noncash > $500 generally requires Form 8283; most noncash > $5,000 need a qualified appraisal.

Disclaimer: This article is for general education. Tax, legal, and investment rules vary depending on the situation. Before acting, confirm details with your CPA/EA, attorney, and financial advisor—especially QCD eligibility (age 70½, qualified charities, no DAFs/private foundations), current 2025 limits, the one-time IRA-to-CGA/CRT option, and documentation/appraisal requirements.

 A final word about spirit: Jonathan believed money should make life better—with less fanfare and more impact. Keeping our giving practical and kind is a fitting tribute to his legacy—and a gracious way to express our thanks.