By Jeffrey K. Presley, CKA®

If you strive to follow the principles of biblical stewardship, your goal isn’t simply to amass as much money as possible. You might also be interested in maximizing charitable giving strategies. Saving and financial planning are important, but so is generosity. Sharing your wealth with those in need can (and often does) come with tax advantages for you too. Here’s a look at some year-end tax strategies involving charitable giving.

Donating Appreciated Assets

Generosity is one of the most important principles of biblical wealth stewardship. Making any meaningful financial gift is generous, but with a little planning, you can help your recipient get the maximum value.

Donating appreciated assets (as opposed to cash) is one of the best year-end tax strategies for you and your intended recipients. This strategy has significant benefits for both of you:

• You don’t have to pay capital gains tax on the appreciated amount.
• You can deduct the full, appreciated value on your taxes.
• Your recipient gets the full value of the asset.

Like most year-end tax strategies, this one must be completed by December 31st if you want to deduct your donation from this year’s taxes.

“Bunching” Donations

If you’re like many of our clients, you might have a set amount of money you aim to give each year. However, if you’re just under the standard deduction threshold and you want to save money on your taxes, rolling multiple years’ worth of donations into one may be worth considering.

This is called “bunching,” and it’s one of the more straightforward year-end tax strategies. It can also lead to major savings. Here’s an example:

Suppose you usually donate $10,000 per year to your favorite charity. For the 2025 tax year, the standard deduction is $15,750. If you donate $10,000 (and you have no other itemizable deductions), you can claim the standard deduction. However, if you combine your 2025 and 2026 donations into one, you can deduct $20,000.

Opening a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

If you want to donate over an extended period of time, a donor-advised fund is one of the best year-end tax strategies to consider. It’s especially worthwhile if you’re hoping for an immediate tax deduction but haven’t decided where you want to make your donations yet. 

To take advantage of this strategy, you first need to open and fund your DAF account. This action is irrevocable (meaning you can’t get the funds back), so you receive an immediate tax deduction.

Once your funds are in the DAF, they aren’t technically under your control any longer. You may recommend grants to qualified charities over time, and the account administrator disburses the funds.

Opening a DAF is more complex than some other year-end tax strategies; however, it’s a powerful way to start (or continue) a family tradition of giving while also maximizing charitable giving strategies. After your death, you may pass the account down to your children so they can continue to use your money for good.

Looking for Guidance With Year-End Tax Strategies?

Managing your wealth is a tremendous responsibility, but you don’t have to make key decisions alone, whether they are about year-end tax strategies or anything else. Mountain PEAK Wealth Advisors is aligned with the needs and goals of believers, and you can rest assured that we’re on the same financial journey as you are.

Our team is happy to help you with year-end tax strategies, but that’s just the beginning. We’ve discovered the well-being that comes with aligning your financial decisions with God’s calling, and we hope to help each of our clients find it. Contact us for advice and support.

If you’re ready to work with a Christian financial advisor who puts your best interests first, offers a personalized, fee-only approach, and integrates a values-driven perspective into every decision, I invite you to reach out. To schedule a meeting, call (260) 435-1200 or email jeff@mountainpeakwealthadvisors.com. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Year-End Tax Strategies

1. What year-end tax strategies can help me maximize the impact of my charitable giving? 

Year-end tax strategies such as donating appreciated assets or “bunching” multiple years of gifts can help you increase your charitable impact while potentially lowering your tax bill. These approaches allow you to practice generous stewardship in a financially wise way.

2. How does a donor-advised fund fit into year-end tax strategies for believers?

Opening and funding a donor-advised fund (DAF) is one of the most flexible year-end tax strategies because it provides an immediate tax deduction while giving you time to decide which ministries or charities to support. It can also help you build a long-term, faith-centered giving plan for your family.

3. Why is timing important when using year-end tax strategies for charitable gifts?

Most year-end tax strategies (such as donating appreciated assets or contributing to a DAF) must be completed by December 31st to count for the current tax year. Planning ahead aligns your generosity with both your stewardship goals and your tax benefits.

About Jeff

Jeffrey K. Presley, CKA®, has been serving clients of Mountain PEAK Wealth Advisors in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since October 2016, where he is President and Chief Compliance Officer. With decades of experience in financial planning, investment management, wealth creation, and tax strategy, Jeff brings both professional excellence and a faith-based perspective to his role.

As a Certified Kingdom Advisor®, he helps clients align their financial decisions with their values and long-term goals through principles that never change. His expertise spans wealth management, retirement planning, and biblically grounded financial guidance.

Before founding Mountain PEAK Wealth Advisors, Jeff served as a financial advisor at several respected firms, including Dickmeyer Boyce Financial Management, Inc., McDonald Presley Capital Management, Inc., and Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Earlier in his career, he also held leadership positions at Fort Wayne National Bank, including branch manager.

In addition to his advisory work, Jeff is the principal of Presley Tax Services, LLC, offering tax preparation and advisory services. These are provided separately from Mountain PEAK, and clients are never obligated to use them in order to receive wealth management services.

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from Purdue University in 1988. Outside of his professional commitments, he is actively involved at his church, Pathway Community Church, where he serves in various roles. To learn more about Jeff, connect with him on LinkedIn.