Dear Friends of DJCF,
Having spent much of the past month north of Philadelphia, it seems fitting to begin this note with the words of Benjamin Franklin, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” In Poor Richard’s Almanack, Franklin also reflected on the interconnectedness of humanity, writing, “When you’re good to others, you’re best to yourself.”
To gather thematic inspiration from Jewish texts, my journey led me to Deuteronomy 15:10, where Moses reminds us to give tzedakah generously and wholeheartedly, with the promise that “the Lord your God will bless you in all your deeds and in every undertaking.” Maimonides reinforced this idea in the Mishneh Torah, declaring that “no one ever became poor from giving tzedakah, nor did any harm come from it.”
Those who’ve followed this newsletter know I love exploring etymology. So, I was delighted to learn that the Hebrew word natan (to give) is a palindrome in both Hebrew and English, spelled the same forwards and backwards. Christian writer Linda Cox refers to it as “God’s Palindrome,” underscoring the reciprocal nature of generosity.
And generosity is exactly what we’ll explore at our 2025 annual meeting on Tuesday, December 9th, with special guest Mark Gerson, author of God Was Right. He’ll share his research on the link between giving and prosperity, an uplifting prelude to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many provisions will go into effect on January 1, 2026. The core message from me this month? Giving to worthy charitable institutions isn’t a sacrifice, it’s a spiritually and materially rewarding investment.
Navigating the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Key Implications for Charitable Giving
Passed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) introduces a sweeping set of reforms with broad implications for nearly all U.S. citizens. For those in the philanthropic space, several provisions are particularly relevant to charitable giving and nonprofit organizations.
Positive Developments
- Non-itemizer Incentives: Taxpayers who do not itemize can now claim up to $2,000 in deductions for cash contributions, marking a meaningful step toward broad based participation in philanthropy.
- AGI Limitation Permanently Increased: The OBBA solidifies the 60% adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation for cash gifts to public charities, up from the prior 50% threshold.
Less Favorable Adjustments
- Reduced AGI Cap: Itemizers will face a 0.5% reduction in their AGI deduction ceiling, modestly curbing overall charitable deductibility.
- Lower Deduction for High-Income Donors: Taxpayers in the top bracket will see their charitable deduction benefit reduced from 37% to 35%, a slight but noticeable shift in the incentive to give.
Strategic Considerations
As always, timing and technique matter. Donors and advisors may want to consider the following options:
- Accelerate significant charitable gifts in 2025 to maximize current benefits
- Utilize donor-advised funds to front-load giving (a strategy referred to as “bunching”) while preserving flexibility
- Explore Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for individuals aged 70½ and older as a mechanism for grantmaking to your favorite charitable institutions from your retirement accounts.
While the tax environment may be shifting, thoughtful planning continues to provide powerful opportunities to do well and do good.
Beyond Uncle Sam: Philanthropy as Legacy
Tax and estate planning are vital components of the charitable journey, but they’re not the whole story. At the Foundation, we’re committed to partnering with donors and their advisors to align philanthropic outcomes with personal and family values.
Charitable giving remains one of the most effective tools for engaging children and heirs in shared values and legacy-building, often achievable with straightforward planning through wills or trusts.
For more substantial or long-term gifts, including those distributed over a donor’s lifetime or through their estate, careful coordination is essential. In such cases, we encourage donors to consider entering into gift agreements with recipient organizations to preserve donor intent in the face of programmatic or mission shifts.
These agreements offer clarity and confidence. For instance, if a grant-funded initiative like a concert series at a synagogue is discontinued, how should remaining funds be redirected? Well-crafted documents ensure donors’ wishes are honored across generations and circumstances.
There are myriad sources of information available about the OBBA and its implications. I’m grateful to the teams at Leimberg Information Services, Fidelity Charitable, Forbes, and Lowenstein Sandler for their research and writings on these topics, which I’ve used to consolidate the above. I’ll gladly share direct links for anyone who wants to read more on their own!
As we continue navigating this new landscape shaped by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I invite you to reflect not just on the policies, but on the possibilities. Giving, whether rooted in timeless wisdom, incentivized by modern law, or motivated by personal conviction, remains one of the most powerful ways to shape our world for the better. It’s a gesture that transcends tax codes and estate plans; it’s a statement of purpose, values, and legacy. At DJCF, we’re honored to walk alongside you on this journey, supporting not only your charitable goals but the values behind them. Thank you for reading, for engaging, and above all, for giving.
Jewish Future Promise
You may have heard us talking about the Jewish Future Promise. You can learn more about it on our website, but don’t take it from us! Check out this op-ed from JFP’s CEO, Hadara Ishak, on how this moment is an exciting time to plan for a strong and vibrant Jewish future — and how we each can play a part.
We invite you to join us for an Open House to connect with fellow philanthropists and enjoy an evening of meaningful conversation and community. As a signer of the Jewish Future Promise, you are very special to our organization, and we want to meet you and share what we do. For over 50 years as a community foundation, we have helped individuals and families maximize their charitable impact through creative giving solutions. Also, as the official Dallas partner of the Jewish Future Promise, we want to offer a spotlight to this moral commitment. Come learn more about the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation and our secular brand, the Southwest Community Foundation—Two names with one mission: to repair the world.
Light refreshments and drinks will be served. This come-and-go event will also feature an art exhibition from the Texas Jewish Arts Association, with the opportunity to meet the featured artists whose work enhances our space.
We hope you’ll join us for this casual and inspiring evening!
Byrna & Joe Funk Family Philanthropy Center
12222 Merit Drive | Suite 450 | Dallas, TX 75251
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Friday, September 19, 2025
Breakfast | 7:30-8:00 AM
Seminar | 8:00-10:30 AM
Westin Galleria Dallas
13340 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75240
Creative Charitable Planning: How to Leverage Noncash Assets and AI
Join Paul Caspersen for an advanced session exploring real-world charitable planning scenarios. Beginning with a brief primer, then Paul will walk through recent donor cases involving non-cash assets, such as gifts of closely held businesses, real estate, and charitable remainder trusts. Each case will highlight the legal, tax, and philanthropic variables at play, illustrating how to assess timing, asset suitability, mission alignment, and liquidity strategies. You’ll explore how tax rules, asset structures, and philanthropic goals intersect, discussing timing, feasibility, and mission alignment in collaborative problem-solving. This session offers advanced insights for professional advisors seeking to learn new strategies and deliver transformational outcomes for their clients and the organizations their clients care deeply about.
Nonprofit Sponsors for 2025 Professional Advisors Seminar
This year, we’ve introduced a new opportunity for nonprofit organizations. For one flat fee ($180), they can be recognized as nonprofit sponsors of our Professional Advisors Seminar, as well as receive a seat at the event. This year’s topic — “Creative Charitable Planning: How to Leverage Noncash Assets and AI” — is relevant for nonprofit organizations and professional advisors alike.
As philanthropists, you’re dedicated to helping the organizations you love succeed. Consider letting your favorite nonprofits know about this opportunity — or you could even cover the cost of their sponsorship yourself! Of course, you and any nonprofit professional are always welcome to attend at our regular registration rate.
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