Estate Planning and Charitable Giving: Planning for the Future
At the Edible Prairie Project, we spend a lot of time thinking about the future. As we develop our 41-acre farm and expand what we can grow for Campbell County families, we’re building something we hope will serve our community for years to come.
Estate planning offers an opportunity to think about your own future, too. It’s a way to put important wishes in writing, plan for the unexpected, and consider the people and causes you want to support throughout your life and beyond.
Whether you’re creating a will for the first time or reviewing an existing plan, there are resources available to help you get started.
What Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of making decisions about your finances, property, and personal wishes, including what happens to your assets in the future and who can make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
An estate plan may include:
A will: Outlines how you want your assets distributed and, if applicable, who you would like to serve as guardian for your minor children.
Advance directives: Document your preferences for medical care and identify someone who can make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you cannot.
Financial powers of attorney: Designate someone you trust to manage financial matters if you become unable to do so yourself.
Your needs will depend on your circumstances, family, and financial situation. Even a simple first step, such as putting your wishes in writing, can help you begin planning for the future.
Getting Started with Your Will
If you don’t yet have a will, online resources can offer a convenient starting point.
FreeWill provides a free online tool that guides you through creating a will. It can help you organize your wishes and consider how you want your assets distributed, including whether you would like to support a charitable organization.
Online tools may be suitable for some straightforward situations, while more complex family or financial circumstances may call for guidance from an estate planning attorney.
The important thing is to take the first step toward making your wishes known.
Consider a Legacy Gift
Estate planning can also be an opportunity to support the causes that matter to you.
A legacy gift is a charitable contribution arranged to benefit an organization in the future, often through an estate plan. It allows you to reflect your values in your plans while continuing to care for the people who depend on you.
A legacy gift does not have to be large to make a difference. Some people choose to leave a specific dollar amount, while others designate a percentage of their estate or arrange another type of future gift.
One option is a bequest, which names a charitable organization as a beneficiary in your will. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a portion of what remains after other obligations and gifts have been addressed.
If supporting local food production and helping Campbell County families access fresh, locally grown food are causes you care about, you can learn more about including the Edible Prairie Project in your plans.
There is no obligation to make a legacy gift. It is simply one way to carry your values forward and support work you believe in.
Explore Tax-Smart Charitable Giving
If charitable giving is part of your financial planning, there are several ways to support nonprofit organizations that may offer tax advantages, depending on your circumstances.
Gifts of Stock and Other Appreciated Assets
Donating eligible stocks or other appreciated investments directly to a charitable organization may offer tax advantages. Depending on the asset and your circumstances, you may be able to claim a charitable deduction and avoid capital gains tax that could otherwise apply if you sold the investment first. Special rules and deduction limits apply.
Qualified Charitable Distributions From IRAs
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to an eligible charitable organization. A qualifying distribution may be excluded from taxable income and can count toward your required minimum distribution, if applicable. Specific eligibility requirements apply.
Grants From Donor-Advised Funds
A donor-advised fund allows you to contribute assets to a charitable giving account and recommend grants to eligible nonprofit organizations over time. You may qualify for a charitable deduction when you contribute to the fund, subject to applicable rules. The sponsoring organization retains legal control of the assets.
Charitable Giving and Your Taxes in 2026
Beginning with tax year 2026, eligible taxpayers who take the standard deduction may be able to deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash contributions, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. Certain restrictions apply.
For more information, explore the Edible Prairie Project's charitable giving resources or download our printable guide.
Prefer a printable resource? Download our Tax-Smart Giving Guide.
Each charitable giving option has its own rules and considerations. A financial advisor or tax professional can help you understand the options available for your situation.
Planning for the Future, Together
At the Edible Prairie Project, we’re working to build a stronger local food system that can serve Campbell County for generations to come. Thoughtful planning, whether for your family, your finances, or the causes you care about, is one way to help prepare for the future.
We hope these resources give you a helpful place to start as you consider your wishes and the legacy you want to leave.
Thank you for being part of a community that cares about its neighbors and the future of local agriculture.
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult your financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney before making decisions about your estate plan or charitable giving.
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