Make Your Gift Count
Beginning in 2026, taxpayers will have access to a new above‑the‑line charitable deduction, opening an easy, accessible pathway for more people to support the causes they care about. Under this new provision, individuals who do not itemize may deduct up to $1,000 in charitable donations, while married couples filing jointly may deduct up to $2,000.
This change offers a meaningful incentive for donors who want to make an impact close to home. One flexible way to take advantage of the deduction is through a gift to the Acorn Fund at The Community Foundation. With no minimum gift required, the Acorn Fund allows you to begin building your own future endowed fund gradually over time. Every contribution helps support responsive grants that address Hancock County’s current and emerging needs.
Even small gifts can grow into a lasting personal legacy, and this new deduction may empower more community members to give in ways that feel both attainable and significant.
Ways to Make Your Gift Count
The Community Foundation offers a variety of giving options for donors who want to maximize this new deduction and strengthen Hancock County:
- Cash gifts — the simplest and most common way to give.
- Publicly traded securities — including stocks or mutual funds.
- Real estate* — such as farmland, residential or commercial property.
- Grain or commodities — an especially powerful option for farmers to make a pre‑tax gift.
- Cryptocurrency* — including bitcoin and other nontraditional assets.
- Life insurance policies — by naming the Foundation as owner and beneficiary.
- Tangible personal property* — such as artwork, jewelry or collections, when appropriate.
- Planned gifts — including bequests, charitable trusts and other legacy‑building arrangements.
Every gift, of any size or type, helps build a stronger Hancock County today and for generations to come.
To explore your giving options or learn more about the Acorn Fund, contact staff by email or call (419) 425‑1100.
*Subject to review by the Gift Acceptance Committee.
