There’s a certain rhythm to hospitality. You take care of people. You read the table. You leave things a little better than you found them. And when it’s done right, someone leaves a tip, not just because they have to, but because they want to.

This April, we’re thinking about the idea of a “tip” a little differently.

Not the spare change at the end of the night, but the kind of thoughtful, intentional giving that reflects where you are in life now. For many of our supporters, that means looking at generosity through a more practical lens, one that considers taxes, retirement, and long-term planning alongside impact.

Because giving shouldn’t feel like an extra burden. It should feel aligned.

The Tip Jar, Reimagined

Over the next two weeks, we’re sharing simple ways to make your support for CHOW go further, without asking you to give more than you’re comfortable with.

This might look like:

• Donating appreciated stock instead of writing a check
• Using a Donor-Advised Fund to plan your giving over time
• Structuring gifts in ways that are more efficient for your financial picture
  

These aren’t new ideas. But they are often overlooked, and for many people, they can unlock a way to give that feels both generous and sustainable. The CHOW Philanthropy Team has partnered with FreeWill, Candid, Colorado Gives Foundation, and Digizent to learn useful ways we can make giving to CHOW more beneficial to supporters and take some of the stress away during tax season.

For Those 70½ and Older: A Particularly Meaningful Option

If you’re over 70½, you may have access to one of the most impactful giving tools available: a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA.

In simple terms, a QCD allows you to give directly from your IRA to a nonprofit like CHOW without that amount being counted as taxable income.

For many supporters, this can:

• Help satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
• Reduce overall taxable income
• Allow for meaningful giving without affecting day-to-day cash flow

This slight rethinking or restructuring of your investment and giving habits can save you money, and make tax season easier as well.

Why This Matters to CHOW

The support you provide, however you choose to give, directly fuels programs that serve food, beverage, and hospitality workers across the country. From peer support and mental health resources to industry-specific spaces like our Green Room activations, your giving helps ensure that the people who take care of others have support, too. And just like in hospitality, the experience matters. Not just for those receiving support, but for those making it possible.

Giving That Fits Your Life

We know that financial decisions are more complex than they used to be. Inflation, retirement planning, and changing tax laws all play a role in how and when people give.

Our goal with this campaign is simple: to offer clear, practical ways to support CHOW that respect both your generosity and your financial reality. No pressure. No complicated language. Just options that make sense. This April, let’s make tax tips > tax stress. Reach out to our team to learn more: donate@chowco.org