Smart Giving to Protect California’s State Parks

As we approach the end of the year, we are filled with gratitude for the community of park supporters who provide dedicated commitment to protecting California’s state parks. As our beloved state parks face continued threats from increasing wildfires, severe winter storms, and a turbulent economy, your continued partnership helps us prepare for the challenges ahead. Giving to California State Parks Foundation supports park conservation – and can offer potential tax advantages. Read more to learn how your year-end gift can also benefit your 2025 tax returns. 

How your non-cash gifts can go further to protect the parks you love 

California’s state parks connect us to nature, history, and community. Every trail, beach, and redwood grove tells a story worth protecting; and you can help keep those stories alive in more ways than you might think.  

Asset-based giving allows you to support parks by donating assets in ways that may also provide meaningful financial and tax benefits for you and your family. 

What Is Asset-Based Giving? 

When you make a gift of appreciated stock, retirement assets, cars or other vehicles, or disbursements from a donor-advised fund, you’re making an asset-based gift.  

These non-cash contributions can often: 

• Provide you with potential tax advantages,
• Allow you to give more without increasing out-of-pocket costs. 

It’s a powerful way to align your financial goals with your love of California’s outdoors. 

Benefits of Asset-Based Giving 

Tax efficiency: By donating appreciated assets, such as stock, that you’ve held for at least a year, you may be able to deduct their full market value and avoid capital gains tax.  

Flexibility: From one-time gifts to planned legacy giving, there are options that fit your goals and circumstances. 

Impact: Your gift supports park restoration, climate resilience, and equitable access across California’s state parks.  

Common Ways to Give 

Appreciated Securities 

Gifts of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have increased in value can maximize your tax benefits while helping fund vital state park projects statewide. Click here to learn more about this tax-savvy way to give. 

Retirement Assets 

Name California State Parks Foundation as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan and it will pass to us tax-free after your lifetime to continue making an impact for parks. If you’re age 70½ or older, you can also satisfy your required minimum distribution by making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA. Click here to learn more about the benefits of this smart way to give. 

Vehicle Donations 

If you have a vehicle (running or not) that you no longer need – such as a car, truck, trailer, boat, RV, motorcycle, camper, or most other motorized vehicles – you can donate it to support California State Parks Foundation. The process is easy and the pick-up is free. Vehicle donations are tax-deductible, and can reduce your taxable income when taxes are itemized. Click here to learn more about how your vehicle donation can protect and preserve the California state park system, for the benefit of all. 

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) 

A donor-advised fund is essentially a charitable savings account that offers a flexible and strategic approach to philanthropy. They can be set up through institutions such as Fidelity, Schwab, and community foundations. Contributions to your DAF are eligible for favorable tax deductions, helping you maximize your giving while providing the flexibility to donate at your own pace. You can recommend a grant from your DAF to California State Parks Foundation to support initiatives like climate resilience, habitat protection, or park access programs. Click here to learn more about how to maximize the impact of your DAF. 

Planned Giving 

When you include California State Parks Foundation in your estate plan, your generosity protects and preserves our state parks for generations to come. Your thoughtful planning ensures that future park visitors can enjoy the beauty of California’s redwoods, beaches, deserts, and mountains. Planning ahead also helps you protect loved ones, stay organized, and potentially save on taxes. 

If you want to leave money to California State Parks Foundation in your will but also maintain the flexibility to change your plans if life circumstances shift, you can do both. In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift. This type of donation through your will or living trust helps ensure that we continue our mission to protect and preserve California's state parks for years to come. Click here to learn more about planned giving.  

Looking Ahead: Giving and the New Tax Law 

A recently signed federal tax law makes many giving provisions permanent and adds new ones beginning in 2026. 

Here’s what to know: 

• Above-the-line charitable deduction: Even non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (joint). However, gifts to donor-advised funds are excluded.
• Minimum giving threshold: Itemizers must give at least 0.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) to claim a deduction. If you are affected by this provision, you may want to give more this year before the new law goes into effect.
• Top-bracket limitation: The tax benefit for top earners will be capped at 35 cents per dollar (currently 37 cents). If you are in this bracket, you may also want to focus on giving now in order to avoid losing tax benefits starting in 2026. 

These changes make 2025 an excellent time to explore asset-based giving strategies that align with both your financial and philanthropic goals. Click here to learn more about what the new tax law means for your giving. We encourage you to consult with your tax advisor to best understand how these changes may affect your giving in 2025 and beyond. 

Protect the Places You Love 

Your generosity fuels park conservation, climate resilience, habitat restoration, and equitable access across California’s state parks. If you have any questions about smart ways to give before the end of 2025, we are here to help! Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. 

Together, we can protect California’s natural legacy — one gift at a time.