PREPARED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FRIENDS OF CHRISTIAN APPALACHIAN PROJECT
Using Your IRA to Achieve Charitable Goals
As we move through life, many of us start thinking more strategically about what we’ve saved and what we want to accomplish. We want to maximize our resources so we can support the values and causes that matter most. As a caring partner in Christian Appalachian Project’s mission, we want to share another way you can increase your impact in Appalachia. If you are 70½ or older, an IRA can be more than a retirement asset; with thoughtful planning, it can become a powerful tool for philanthropy, tax efficiency, and even lifetime income.
Recent tax law changes have expanded the ways IRAs can be used to support charitable organizations such as Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), while still addressing personal financial goals. Understanding these options can help you make informed decisions that reflect both your values and your long-term plans.
At a glance
• How can IRAs impact your estate?
• Is a charitable gift annuity right for you?
• What should you ask your financial advisor?
Understanding Your IRA in the Context of Your Estate
IRAs are unique assets within an estate. While they are excellent vehicles for tax-deferred growth during life, they are often among the most heavily taxed assets when passed to heirs.
Unlike real estate, taxable investment accounts, or business interests, distributions from traditional IRAs are generally subject to ordinary income tax when withdrawn by beneficiaries. In addition, depending on the size of an
estate, IRA assets may also be subject to estate tax. For many families, this combination of income and estate taxation can significantly reduce the value ultimately received by heirs. In contrast, charitable organizations do not pay income tax on IRA distributions, making them ideal beneficiaries of retirement assets.
The recent “10-year payout rule” can also accelerate the tax impact for many families. In many cases, non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw inherited traditional IRA assets within 10 years—often during peak earning years—potentially increasing taxes and Medicare premium surcharges.
By using other assets to provide for loved ones and directing IRA assets to charity, many individuals are able to preserve more overall value for both their family and the causes they care about most.
A Proven Strategy: Qualified Charitable Distributions
For individuals age 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows direct transfers from an IRA to qualified public charities.
Some of the key features of QCDs include:
• In 2026, up to $111,000 per person may be transferred directly from an IRA to eligible charities
• QCDs can satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD)
• The distribution is excluded from taxable income
• No charitable deduction is required to realize the tax benefit
For many donors, a QCD can be more tax-efficient than giving with after-tax dollars especially for donors who do not itemize deductions. Because the income is not included in adjusted gross income, QCDs may also help with income-based thresholds such as Medicare premiums. QCDs must be transferred directly from the IRA custodian to the charitable organization, and
no goods or services may be received in return. Donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients. Private foundations are also not eligible to receive QCDs.
A New Opportunity: Lifetime Income Through a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
Recent legislation introduced an important new option for IRA owners: a one-time QCD of up to $55,000 may now be used to fund a CGA in 2026.
A CGA is a simple contract between a donor and a nonprofit organization. In exchange for a gift, the organization agrees to make fixed payments to one or two individuals for life. At the end of the payment period, the remaining value supports the institution’s mission.
This new provision allows donors to use IRA assets to:
• Create predictable, fixed income for life
• Reduce taxable income
• Make a meaningful future gift to CAP
This opportunity may be especially attractive to our donors who value stability, are less comfortable with market volatility, or wish to convert a portion of their retirement assets into dependable income while supporting philanthropy.
This option is available only once per individual and is subject to specific rules. Consulting with a financial or tax advisor is essential to determine whether this strategy aligns with your overall plan.
A one-time QCD used to fund a charitable gift annuity counts toward your annual QCD limit for that year. For example, in 2026 the annual QCD limit is $111,000, and a $55,000 QCD to fund a CGA would reduce the remaining QCD capacity for other charitable gifts. In addition to charitable gift annuities, recent legislation also permits a one-time QCD to fund a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). This option may appeal to
donors who prefer a trust-based structure, wish to provide income to multiple beneficiaries, or want more flexibility in payout arrangements. Like the CGA approach, a QCD to a CRT is limited to a single use per individual and applies toward the annual QCD maximum.
Why this matters:
When retirement assets are structured efficiently, donors may be able to do more for family and for the charities they wish to support. Many of our donors find that their IRA is one of their largest assets, yet it is often the least efficient asset to pass to heirs. Using IRA assets for charitable purposes can offer several benefits.
Some of the advantages gained from IRA giving:
• Reduction of taxable income
• Satisfies required minimum distributions
• Does not require itemizing deductions
• Offers a new lifetime income option through a CGA
• Supports the long-term mission of CAP
With thoughtful planning, IRA giving can help you meet charitable goals today while strengthening your financial plan for the future.
Naming CAP as a Beneficiary of Your IRA
Every IRA requires a beneficiary designation. This form, not your will, determines who receives the remaining assets at death.
In addition to utilizing annual QCDs, you may name CAP as:
• A primary beneficiary
• A contingent beneficiary
• A beneficiary of a percentage or specific amount of the account
For married individuals, a spouse is often named as the primary beneficiary, with charitable organizations named as secondary or contingent beneficiaries. This approach allows flexibility, as a surviving spouse may later revise beneficiary designations if circumstances change.
Naming a charitable organization as an IRA beneficiary is one of the simplest and most effective planned gifts. It requires no changes to your will, avoids income tax on those IRA distributions, and can be updated easily as your goals evolve.
