Ways to give this holiday season

Our local communities helped us grow our business and stepped up during tough times. It was here that we celebrated together at the annual festivals or when the local basketball team had a great season. 

Some of our favorite parts of the communities we cherish are supported by nonprofit organizations. In Flathead and Lake counties, there are 950 doing vital work in the arts, education, animal rescue and adoptions, land conservation, health, human services, and much more. These local nonprofits also generated more than $500 million in income in 2023. These are community members who contribute to the local economy in a variety of ways, including shopping at local businesses.  

Whether you’ve worked at a nonprofit, served on a board of directors, or volunteered, we all know that this time of year is critical for their fundraising efforts and their ability to do good work all year long. The reason it’s essential for them is that people are feeling especially generous during the holidays, and donors and businesses are figuring out their end-of-year finances. 

Many of us think that giving to a nonprofit means donating online, going to an event, donating food or other goods, or sponsoring an event. These are all great, but there are many ways to support the organizations you care about, each with its own unique tax advantages. Here are five.   

Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds provide a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the donated asset, and if you have owned them longer than one year, you will pay no capital gains tax  

Donor-advised fund managed by the Montana Community Foundation is an easy way to support the causes you care about while reducing your Montana Income Tax when you make a planned gift. 

Land or property, including real estate, crops, and livestock, can help reduce taxes and benefit local organizations.  

Bank accounts, retirement plans, and life insurance allow you to name your favorite nonprofit as beneficiaries by assignment, ensuring they receive all or a portion of these funds after your passing.  

Gifts through your will or estate are flexible ways to support the charities you care about after your passing. 

Through these methods, the Montana Community Foundation has injected $327,100 into Flathead and Lake counties so far this year. With your help, either by donating to us or supporting a nonprofit in your area, we can do even more for the Flathead Valley. 

This type of giving isn’t just about the wealthy. It’s about every one of us who has worked hard for their family and their community. This is about farmers, ranchers, local business owners, and community leaders.  

Think about the places you love in your community or even the things you wish it had. Together, we can ensure those places have the resources to grow, and now is an excellent time to do it.  

Founded in 1988, MCF manages more than $216 million in assets and administers more than 1,988 philanthropic funds and planned gifts. Since its founding, MCF has reinvested more than $122 million in Montana through scholarships, grants, and programs. Learn more at mtcf.org. 

Mary Rutherford is president and chief executive officer of the Montana Community Foundation.