Smart Giving for the Next Course A Guide to Thoughtful, Tax-Smart Giving for CHOW Supporters

If you came of age when California cuisine was redefining American dining, when wood-fired ovens, handmade pasta, and simple ingredients like tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella became a philosophy, you understand that the best things are built slowly, intentionally, and with care. From the rise of chef-driven restaurants to espresso martinis and late dinners that stretched into real conversations, food has always been about more than a meal. It has been about community, creativity, and connection.
At CHOW, we believe giving can work the same way.
Today, many longtime supporters are thinking more carefully about how they give, especially as tax laws change, retirement planning evolves, and inflation affects everyday expenses. This guide shares simple, practical ways to support food/beverage/hospitality workers while also being thoughtful stewards of your financial future.
Giving from Your IRA: Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to CHOW.
What is a QCD again? A QCD is a direct transfer of money from your IRA provider, payable to a qualified charity. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, as long as certain rules are met. Learn more about QCD’s from Fidelity: Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) | planning your IRA withdrawal | Fidelity
A QCD allows you to:
• Transfer up to $111,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualified nonprofit
• Satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
• Exclude the gifted amount from taxable income
• Potentially reduce Medicare premiums and other income-based taxes
• Avoid penalties associated with missed RMDs
Because IRAs are funded with pre-tax dollars, withdrawals are normally taxed as ordinary income. A QCD allows you to direct those funds to charity before they are taxed. Many financial advisors now recommend incorporating QCDs into annual planning, often earlier in the year, as part of a disciplined giving strategy.
Recent tax changes have also increased the importance of these tools. With higher standard deductions and new senior tax provisions, fewer donors itemize. For many supporters over 70, QCDs have become one of the most effective remaining ways to give tax-efficiently.

Stock and Investment Account Giving
Many CHOW supporters built their savings during decades of strong market growth. If you hold appreciated stock, mutual funds, or other securities, donating those assets can often be one of the most impactful ways to give.
When you donate appreciated securities:
• You may avoid capital gains tax
• You may qualify for a charitable deduction (if itemizing)
• You preserve cash flow
• You are often able to give more than you would through cash alone
In periods of inflation, many donors feel “cash conscious” while remaining strong in long-term assets. Giving from investments allows generosity without disrupting monthly budgets.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
Some supporters prefer to structure their giving through a Donor-Advised Fund. DAFs allow you to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit, and recommend grants over time.
Interested in starting a DAF and want to learn how? Our partners at the Colorado Gives Foundation, have put together useful information here: Donor Advised Funds – Colorado Gives Foundation
DAFs can be useful for:
• Coordinating multi-year giving
• Managing charitable budgets
• Supporting multiple causes strategically
• Integrating philanthropy into estate and tax planning
If you already give through a DAF, CHOW is honored to be part of your long-term philanthropic vision.
Why These Strategies Matter for CHOW
CHOW supports the mental health and wellness of food/beverage/hospitality workers nationwide. These are the chefs, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, warehouse workers, and managers who built the restaurants and gathering spaces many of us grew up loving.
From the restaurant boom of the 1990s to today’s rapidly changing industry, hospitality workers have adapted again and again. Yet access to mental health support and stability remains limited.
Tax-smart giving allows your support to be sustained, predictable, and impactful. It strengthens programs, expands access, and ensures CHOW can respond to workers’ needs for years to come. Your long term gift creates a legacy of impact for those who help us create timeless memories.
Starting the Conversation
Many donors begin this journey with a simple question to their advisor: “Is there a smarter way for me to give?”
We encourage supporters to include charitable planning in conversations with financial advisors, accountants, and estate planners. Whether through IRA distributions, appreciated stock, Donor-Advised Funds, or legacy planning, thoughtful giving is part of a well-rounded financial strategy.

CHOW is happy to provide educational resources, transfer instructions, and guidance to support those conversations. We still encourage you to consult a licensed financial advisor in all investment-related decisions.
There is no expectation and no timeline. Like a well-composed dish, the best plans are developed with patience, balance, and care.Through Aged to Perfection, we invite you to shape the future of the food/beverage/hospitality industry: intentionally, sustainably, and with heart.

For more information or to request our Non-Cash Giving Guide, please contact CHOW: donate@chowco.org