FF Fall 2026: Remembering Bryan Gardiner (Phi Lambda, 2012)
November 10, 2026Legacy Lessons
Qualified Charitable Distributions: Giving from the Right Account
By Brother Kenneth Chapel, CFP®, RICP®, CEPA® (Pi Phi, 1991)
Charitable giving is often thought of in terms of amount. How much should I give? When should I give? Which organization should I support? Those are all important questions, but there is another planning question that is easy to overlook: which account or asset should the gift come from?
For individuals age 70½ or older, one strategy worth understanding is a Qualified Charitable Distribution, often called a QCD. A QCD allows someone to direct money from an IRA to a qualified charity. The distribution must go directly from the IRA custodian to the charity, rather than first being paid to the IRA owner.
Why does this matter? IRA distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income. For someone who is already charitably inclined, using IRA dollars may allow the charitable gift to be excluded from taxable income. For those required to take minimum distributions, a QCD may also count toward that required amount.
That can make the strategy especially useful for retirees who give regularly, do not itemize deductions, or want to manage taxable income in retirement. This is not about giving more. It is about giving more thoughtfully by coordinating charitable intent with retirement income, taxes, and the overall financial plan.
As with any planning technique, the details matter. QCDs are not appropriate for everyone, and they should be coordinated with tax, financial, and estate planning advice.
I am available as a confidential educational resource for any Brother who would like to better understand planned giving. This is not a solicitation, and it does not create any obligation. It is simply an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and explore whether planned giving has a place in your own financial plan.