How To Make Your Year-End Gift Go Further

When most people think about charitable giving, they picture writing a check or making an online donation. But as the Lake Chelan Community Center grows—and as more donors ask how they can make the greatest impact—many are surprised to learn there are simple ways to stretch their generosity further.

That’s what led to a conversation with Erik Nelson, a financial advisor with Edward Jones and longtime resident of the Chelan/Manson area.

Erik’s connection to the center goes back years. From his home in Orchard View Estates, he watched the building rise from the ground long before its doors ever opened. He has supported it personally and volunteered at events, including the Chelan High School senior overnight celebration. What draws him most is The Community Center’s impact on young people, especially now with a four-day school week in Manson and the Boys & Girls Club providing essential after-school support. “It’s become a safe place for kids,” he said, “and that makes it important for the whole community.”

As we talked, one theme kept resurfacing: people are generous, often more than they realize. Many want to give, and give meaningfully—they just don’t always know the tools available. That truth came into focus earlier this year when the Center received some unexpected gifts, one for $20,000, one for $100,000 and even one for $200,000. They arrived quietly through Donor-Advised Funds, without meetings or even a lot of phone call. Their simplicity raised a natural question: What exactly is a donor-advised fund, and how does it work?

Erik explained that much of charitable giving becomes clearer once you understand a few basic options. One of the most common, especially for those age 70½ or older, is the Qualified Charitable Distribution, which allows donors to give directly from their IRAs without increasing taxable income. For people who don’t need their full Required Minimum Distribution, this approach is simple, tax-efficient, and often overlooked.

Donor-Advised Funds, like the gifts The Community Center received, offer another path. They allow someone to make a charitable contribution—using cash, stock, or other assets—and then recommend grants to nonprofits over time. Erik shared the story of a client who contributed a single share of Berkshire Hathaway that had grown from about $12,000 to nearly $300,000. By donating the stock instead of selling it, the client avoided capital gains tax and created years of charitable support. “That’s what maximizing a gift looks like,” Erik said.

Gifts of stock can also be made directly, without a donor-advised fund, and are often the simplest way for someone to give. A donor transfers appreciated shares to a nonprofit, which sells them tax-free. The donor avoids capital gains, and the nonprofit receives the full value. “People don’t realize how easy it is,” Erik said. “It doesn’t need to be big. Even a partial share can make a difference.”

There are other, more specialized tools—charitable remainder trusts, naming a nonprofit as a beneficiary of retirement accounts, or gifting real estate—but Erik emphasized that most households don’t need complex strategies. What matters is understanding the few that fit naturally with a person’s financial life and charitable goals.

“Every donor’s situation is unique, but there are smart ways to give that increase impact. When people understand their options, their generosity can go even further.” - Erik Nelson

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When asked what he loves about this work, Erik didn’t talk about markets or balance sheets. He talked about the people he meets—their generosity, their desire to help, and the satisfaction of giving well. “I get to see the good in people,” he said. “Helping someone give in the way that benefits both them and the community—it’s one of the best parts of my job.” He even waives charitable-related advisory fees for nonprofits as part of the way he supports the valley he cares about.

As year-end approaches and donors consider how to support The Community Center, Erik’s message is simple: If you want to give, take a moment to choose the method that makes your generosity go the farthest. Sometimes the most meaningful gift isn’t the biggest one—it’s the smartest one. And when donors can give wisely, the entire community feels the benefit.

To learn more or make a tax-deductible contribution, visit chelancommunity.org or contact Executive Director Maribel Cruz at maribel@chelancommunity.org.