Giving
Taxwise Year End Charitable Giving Strategies
Changes to the Tax Code
Beginning January 1, 2026, could affect how—and when—you choose to give to Williams.
If you’re planning a special gift or want to tailor the timing to your tax situation, now is a great time to talk with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor to optimize your charitable giving.
As always, please reach out to the Development team if we can help with any questions about your charitable giving. We welcome the opportunity to connect with you.
Taxwise Year End Charitable Giving Strategies
Current Deduction Rules in 2025 Are More Favorable for Itemizers
Under the current rules for tax year 2025, taxpayers who itemize can still deduct the full amount of their charitable contributions without the new limitations that start in 2026.
This means large or complex gifts (like appreciated securities, real estate, or major cash donations) can provide a stronger tax benefit this year than they might in future years.
Taxwise Year End Charitable Giving Strategies
More Restrictive Rules Begin in 2026
Starting with the 2026 tax year, the tax law introduces several changes that can reduce the tax advantage of giving for many donors.
A Deduction “Floor” for Itemizers
Only the portion of contributions above 0.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) will be deductible if you itemize — which didn’t apply in 2025.
Lower Tax Benefit for High Capacity Donors
The maximum effective tax benefit for charitable deductions for top-bracket taxpayers (37%) drops to about 35%, slightly reducing the value of large gifts if delayed until 2026.
Taxwise Year End Charitable Giving Strategies
2025 Has Unique Opportunities That May Not Repeat
Current Itemizer Advantages
You can continue to deduct the full amount of contributions under traditional itemized rules in 2025.
Higher SALT Deduction May Increase Itemizing
The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap is temporarily raised to $40,000 for tax year 2025, meaning more donors might itemize and benefit from charitable deductions.
Simpler Rules for DAFs Now
In 2025, contributions to donor-advised funds (DAFs) still receive full deduction benefits — but the new standard deduction benefit in 2026 won’t apply to DAF gifts.
Taxwise Year End Charitable Giving Strategies
New Benefits in 2026—but Not for Everyone
Starting January 1, 2026:
Non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (married) in charitable cash gifts even without itemizing. This is a new above-the-line deduction many taxpayers haven’t had before.
However:
That new deduction doesn’t apply to gifts made to donor-advised funds or private foundations.
For people who do itemize now, the 2026 rules introduce floors and deduction caps that could reduce the tax benefit compared to 2025.
Taxwise Year End Charitable Giving Strategies
Charitable Giving - Timing Matters
If you itemize or plan a major gift in 2025:
Giving before year-end 2025 can lock in full deductions under current rules, avoid new floors and caps, and maximize tax efficiency.
If you don’t itemize or make smaller annual gifts:
Giving in 2026 may be appealing because of the above-the-line deduction that helps even non-itemizers save on taxes.
High capacity donors:
Consider bunching or front-loading gifts in 2025 to get the larger itemized deduction before the new rules diminish the tax benefit.
Showcasing the power of philanthropy
Ensure a brighter future for Williams.
Your support provides essential resources and opportunities that strengthen Williams’ core values of Scholarship, Character, and Community. These principles shape every aspect of the student experience, fostering academic excellence, personal growth, and a strong sense of belonging.
Whether you’re an alum, parent, faculty member, or friend, your participation demonstrates the impact of collective generosity. Together, we can ensure that current and future students continue to benefit from the incredible education and community that define The Williams School.
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Investments in Faculty Professional Development
Your gift allows us to provide our amazing faculty with growth opportunities, whether that be traveling abroad for a special project, to gaining new certifications and advanced degrees, it results in new perspectives and ideas brought to the classroom.
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Competitive Athletic Programming
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Impactful Performing & Visual Arts
Your gift allows each of our students to have the opportunity to participate in an individualized creative process through the arts.
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Leadership Giving at Williams
Leadership donors demonstrate a level of generosity and commitment that ensures Williams’ mission and three core values of Scholarship, Character, and Community. To show our appreciation for our most generous supporters and their belief in the work we do here, we have created Leadership Giving recognition societies.
Join UsWays to Give
Learn more about the many ways to make a gift or to fulfill a pledge to The Williams School. Some of which have added benefits to you depending on your age, the type of asset contributed, and the form of gift you select.
Find Out MoreMaking a Pledge
Can’t give today? Consider making a pledge which will need to be paid by the last day of our fiscal year, June 30th. Pledges to Williams can be one-time or be paid over three to five years.
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