The new year is a natural time to reflect on your charitable goals and clarify how you want to make an impact. With a bit of thoughtful planning now, your charitable giving in 2026 can feel more intentional and aligned with the results you’d like to achieve.
Below are some meaningful steps you can take early in the year to bring clarity and confidence to your philanthropy.
Review your 2025 giving
Taking time to review your charitable contributions from 2025 can reveal valuable insights: the causes that resonated most deeply, the organizations you supported consistently and the ways your giving made a difference. This reflection can also highlight patterns in how and where you gave and help identify new opportunities you’d like to explore.
Set your philanthropic goals for 2026
Intentional giving begins with clear goals. Whether you’re passionate about supporting Jewish education, helping vulnerable populations or responding to emerging community needs, defining your priorities can make your philanthropy more focused.
As you plan for the year ahead, consider questions such as:
- Which values guide my giving?
- What community needs feel most urgent right now?
- Do I want to support immediate relief, long-term change or both?
- How and when do I want to distribute my charitable dollars throughout the year?
The Jewish Community Foundation team can help you explore causes aligned with your values, identify communal giving opportunities, plan the timing of your giving and consider strategies that amplify your impact.
Be aware of new tax considerations
Charitable giving is closely tied to tax and estate planning. Early year conversations with your professional advisors may help you take advantage of new or updated tax laws, plan gifts strategically for maximum tax benefit and review your estate plans and beneficiary designations. Many people choose to include charitable gifts in wills, trusts or retirement accounts to create a lasting philanthropic legacy.
Open a fund to make the most of your giving
The Foundation offers easy, creative ways to make a significant impact with your giving. Whether you’d like to memorialize a loved one, support a community organization in perpetuity or simply streamline your charitable giving, JCF can help you achieve your philanthropic goals. When you open a new JCF donor advised fund (charitable giving account), the Foundation will match one donation to the charity of your choice — up to $1,000.
Please reach out to the Jewish Community Foundation anytime to discuss your ideas, ask questions or explore opportunities for the year ahead. We are honored to partner with you in turning generosity into lasting impact, for today, for 2026 and for generations to come. I may be reached at or (913) 327-8286.
