What Nonprofits Should Know About the Growing Interest in QCDs and Non-Cash Giving
Jun 1, 2026
As nonprofits navigate increasing community needs and growing pressure on fundraising, many donors are also looking for smarter, more strategic ways to give. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and gifts of appreciated assets are becoming more common tools for donors who want to maximize both their charitable impact and their financial goals.
For nonprofits, this growing interest presents an opportunity to broaden conversations about charitable giving beyond annual cash donations and explore how long-term, flexible support can strengthen organizations and communities.
Why QCDs Are Receiving More Attention
A QCD allows individuals age 70½ and older to direct funds from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a qualifying public charity. In many cases, this allows donors to support organizations they care about while also satisfying required minimum distributions and potentially reducing taxable income. Since QCDs are excluded from taxable income, they may also offer benefits for donors who do not itemize deductions and may help reduce overall adjusted gross income.
As awareness of QCDs and other tax-efficient giving strategies continues to grow, nonprofits may see increasing interest from donors looking for ways to support charitable causes through retirement assets and other non-cash gifts.
A Good Time to Expand the Conversation
For nonprofits, this presents an opportunity to broaden conversations about charitable giving beyond annual cash donations. Many donors are looking for flexible, strategic ways to support the causes they care about while also aligning their giving with long-term financial and estate planning goals. In addition to QCDs, donors may also consider gifts of other assets, including:
- appreciate stock
- cryptocurrency
- life insurance
- real estate
In some cases, these gifts may create significant tax advantages for donors, while also generating meaningful support for charitable organizations.
For example, gifts of highly appreciated securities may help donors avoid capital gains taxes while supporting a nonprofit mission. Similarly, naming a nonprofit as a beneficiary of an IRA or other qualified retirement account may help donors avoid both income and estate taxes on those assets provided to charity.
For nonprofits, these types of gifts can support:
- endowments
- reserve funds
- long-term sustainability efforts
- immediate community needs
Helping Donors Give in Ways that Align with Their Goals
Many donors want to support causes they care about while also making thoughtful financial and estate planning decisions. That creates an opportunity for nonprofits to educate donors about the variety of ways charitable giving can happen.
Simple steps can help organizations begin these conversations:
- including planned giving language in newsletters and annual appeals
- educating board members and key supporters
- highlighting endowment opportunities
- reminding donors that retirement assets and other non-cash gifts may be options
These conversations do not need to feel overly technical. At their core, they are about helping donors connect their values with lasting community impact.
How the Community Foundation Can Help
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines can help nonprofits navigate more complex charitable gifts, including QCDs, appreciated stock, real estate, business interests and more. Our team serves as a resource for both nonprofits and donors by helping facilitate gifts, coordinate with advisors and structure charitable solutions that align with the goals of both donors and nonprofits.
Looking Ahead
As planned and non-cash giving continues to grow, nonprofits have an opportunity to build long-term sustainability while deepening donor relationships. The Community Foundation can help organizations simplify these conversations, explore flexible giving options and support donors in creating lasting community impact for your organization.