“Giving through my IRA allowed me to support the causes I care about.” –Leslie Mulford
Credit: Michael Troutman/www.dmtimaging.com
If you’re 70½ or older, your IRA can be a powerful way to support the causes you care about. In 2026, you can make an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of up to $111,000 directly from your IRA to charity. If you’re married, your spouse can make a QCD of up to $111,000 from their IRA as well.
If you’re 73 or older, your QCD can also count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), creating meaningful charitable support. To be sure your IRA clears your custodial account before the end of the year, it’s important to request your gift no later than early December.
There are many ways to create impact through your IRA gift in partnership with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC):
Contribute to local nonprofits and causes you care about
A single IRA gift through the CFMC can be designated to multiple nonprofits. You can also give to an existing CFMC fund, including scholarship, designated or field‑of‑(bullet interest funds, or support community grantmaking through the Fund for Monterey County.
Amplify your gift through Monterey County Gives!
Your IRA QCD can benefit one or more nonprofits through the Monterey County Gives! Campaign at montereycountygives.com. From November 12–December 31, 2026, donations to your choice of over 200 local nonprofits receive a partial match thanks to a collaborative fund created by local philanthropic partners.
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Create a charitable fund
You can use an IRA gift to establish a Scholarship, Designated or Field-of-Interest Fund to create a lasting charitable legacy. Please note: QCDs cannot be used to establish or contribute to a Donor Advised Fund.
Support a local initiative
Your QCD can support community initiatives and grantmaking through the Women’s Fund, Here for Good, Thrive Grants, Siembra Latinos Fund and many others.
Explore a life-income gift to benefit you or a loved one and create a future gift
A QCD may be used to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). A CGA can provide income for life or a term of years while supporting the nonprofit of your choice in the future. The QCD‑(funded option can be used once during your lifetime, with a 2026 aggregate limit of $55,000. While there is no charitable income tax deduction for the QCD contribution, the QCD itself is not taxable income.
Leave a lasting legacy
Consider naming the Community Foundation for Monterey County as a beneficiary of your IRA. A charitable beneficiary designation can be a meaningful way to extend your philanthropy while potentially reducing the income‑tax impact associated with passing traditional IRA assets to individual heirs.
Your IRA can provide for your future and help create a stronger Monterey County for generations to come. Year‑end giving is a powerful moment to invest in the work of your favorite nonprofits. To explore tax‑wise giving options and view important deadlines, visit cfmco.org/YearEndGiving or call our gift planning team at (831) 375-9712. Together, we can build healthy, safe, vibrant communities.
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