The Knight family’s generosity was a source of pride for the late Marilyn Underhill, daughter of V.C. and Velma Knight. Reflecting on her parents’ legacy, she once shared, “My parents came from humble backgrounds, but they did well financially and were able to help hundreds of people in their lifetimes.”

Velma passed away in 1980 and V.C. in 2005, but their legacy continues to change lives across Lenawee County thanks to their foresight and generosity. Since 2008, the V.C. and Velma Knight Memorial Fund has provided nearly $675,000 in grants to local programs, supporting everything from food security and mental health services to homeless prevention and childcare scholarships.

Rooted in the Knight family’s values of service, compassion, and local investment, the fund continues to make a lasting difference for the people and communities of Lenawee County.

V.C. Knight was a pioneer in the air conditioning industry and the founder of Addison Products Company. Velma was a lifelong Bible scholar with a heart for helping others. Today, they are remembered not only for their accomplishments but for their compassion, and for choosing to create a legacy that keeps giving.

Grants are awarded to programs that address basic needs, health, and human services in Lenawee County. To honor the donors’ wishes and create the greatest possible impact, priority will be given to proposals that:

• Provide direct services to individuals and families
• Leverage resources through partnerships or matching funds
• Can be sustained without ongoing Foundation support
• Encourage collaboration and avoid duplication of existing services
• Promote volunteerism and community involvement

All grant applications must be submitted electronically by August 1, 2026.
To apply, visit https://goapply2.akoyago.com/lenaweecf.

For questions or assistance, please contact Madison Roberts at 517.263.4696 or email madison@lenaweecf.com.

The Lenawee Community Foundation is honored to continue the work V.C. and Velma Knight began, and grateful to their daughter Marilyn for preserving and extending their commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate community.

About Lenawee Community Foundation:

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for the community. By collecting donations and investing them for lasting impact, the Foundation funds grants, scholarships, and local initiatives to address community needs, support nonprofits, and enhance the wellbeing of Lenawee County. More than just an organization, the Lenawee Community Foundation is an opportunity for individuals, families, and businesses to leverage the power of collective giving to make sure their community stays strong and supported for years to come.

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For more information, please contact: Kirsten Stiver, 517-263-4696, kirsten@lenaweecf.com.

The post Applications open July 1 for the V.C. and Velma Knight Memorial Fund grants supporting basic needs, health, and human services in Lenawee County appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

All of this is wonderful! There’s one more step, however, that is often overlooked: Connecting the dots. If you are a donor or fund holder at the Lenawee Community Foundation, or plan to establish a fund in the near future, please consider introducing your advisors to the Lenawee Community Foundation team. A simple introduction can make a tremendous difference in ultimately achieving your charitable goals. Here’s why:

• Attorneys, CPAs, and wealth managers are experts in many aspects of financial and estate planning, and their work is essential in helping you develop and implement strategies through legal documentation, tax filings, and other technical guidance. Not all advisors, however, are experts in charitable giving.
• The Lenawee Community Foundation, by comparison, brings to the table specialized knowledge about charitable giving strategies, local nonprofit needs, philanthropic tools that may be best suited for your particular situation, and the types of assets you might consider giving to achieve your goals.
• The Lenawee Community Foundation certainly does not offer legal, tax, or financial advice, but we absolutely stay current on legal, tax, and charitable developments. In turn, we can keep you and your advisors informed about which trends to watch.
• When you establish a fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation as part of your charitable plan, our team will handle the paperwork and administration to create and manage that fund. This is often a relief to your advisors, not to mention a relief to you!

Importantly, collaborative conversations among donors, advisors, and the Lenawee Community Foundation are not only for ultra-high-net-worth families. Even relatively straightforward charitable plans can benefit from collaboration between your advisors and the Lenawee Community Foundation. In many cases, donors discover giving opportunities they might not otherwise have considered. What’s more, many advisors appreciate having philanthropic specialists available to help explore charitable strategies that benefit both the donor and the causes they care about.

So, what can you do? We invite and encourage you to take the lead! A simple email introducing each of your advisors to the Lenawee Community Foundation team is often all that is required to open the door to better communication and stronger planning. The Lenawee Community Foundation is always happy to join a conversation with you and your advisors, but a baseline introduction is the most critical part. 

When professionals work together, the result is often a more coordinated and impactful charitable plan. By connecting your advisors with the Lenawee Community Foundation, you help create a team that can support both your financial goals and your desire to make a lasting difference. We look forward to hearing from you—and meeting your advisors! Thank you for all you do to make our community a better place. 

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For many donors, the creative use of donor-advised funds at the Lenawee Community Foundation opens the door to a larger charitable impact than they originally thought possible. Here’s how:

Your fund grows and changes alongside your life

Many people do not realize that a donor-advised fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation can help simplify giving during major life transitions. If you are preparing for retirement, selling a business, receiving an inheritance, or navigating a particularly high-income year, your donor-advised fund can provide flexibility in both timing for income tax planning and philanthropic grantmaking decisions. What’s more, during many of these transitions, it may make sense to look beyond cash gifts and explore using appreciated stock, closely held business interests, real estate, and other noncash assets to fund your charitable goals in tax-efficient ways.

Your fund can help you engage the next generation

Some donors are using donor-advised funds at the Lenawee Community Foundation to involve children and grandchildren in family philanthropy. Because grants can be recommended over many years to 501(c)(3) organizations locally and across the country, donor-advised funds create opportunities for ongoing conversations about values, generosity, and community impact across generations.

The Lenawee Community Foundation supports your areas of focus

Working with your local Lenawee Community Foundation adds the important elements of flexibility, personalization, and expertise. Unlike national commercial donor-advised fund providers, Lenawee Community Foundations combine the administrative advantages of a donor-advised fund with deep local knowledge and personalized philanthropic support. The Lenawee Community Foundation can help identify community needs, connect you with nonprofit organizations of all shapes and sizes, and explore creative strategies tailored to your own charitable interests. The Lenawee Community Foundation is here to help you support your favorite causes, whatever they may be.

The takeaway? Your donor-advised fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation is much more than just a giving account—it is a flexible tool for building a thoughtful, lasting charitable legacy that supports your favorite causes and the community as a whole. Please reach out to our team to expand your impact and enjoy your philanthropy even more! 

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In the simplest terms, meeting the moment means responding thoughtfully and generously to the needs that matter most today while still keeping long-term community impact in mind. Sometimes that means supporting immediate emergency relief efforts. Other times, it means helping nonprofits today so that they can build long-term solutions that strengthen our community for years to come.

Here are three tips that may help you and your family consider how you can make the biggest difference:

Think broadly about your charitable giving plan

Many fund holders have adopted a “portfolio approach” to their philanthropy, leaning on the Lenawee Community Foundation to serve as a convenient and strategic hub. For example, your charitable giving “portfolio” at the Lenawee Community Foundation might include a donor-advised fund to support your annual and ongoing charitable giving, legacy provisions to ensure that your impact extends across future generations, capacity-building gifts to the Lenawee Community Foundation itself to ensure the growth of philanthropy and impact across our region, and special “field of interest” or “designated funds” to support particular focus areas or specific nonprofit organizations as needs ebb and flow. The combination of multiple fund types and giving structures helps ensure that your dollars make the biggest difference.

Incorporate flexibility as you carry out your charitable giving plan

With the appropriate funds and planning vehicles in place, many donors take the next step to ensure their charitable portfolio allows for flexible funding during times of crisis and transition. Specifically, nonprofits in our community often need unrestricted support so they can respond quickly to changing conditions, invest in staff capacity, and continue serving people effectively even after headlines fade. Donors who understand this can play a powerful role in helping organizations remain resilient and responsive. The Lenawee Community Foundation can help you identify instances where it’s most beneficial simply to provide general support to nonprofit organizations, rather than designating your gift to a specific program or desired outcome.

Consistency is key

Meeting the moment does not mean changing all your charitable priorities overnight, only to revert them back when the moment has passed. There will always be moments of need! Instead, “meeting the moment” means staying informed about current community needs with the help of the Lenawee Community Foundation team, remaining flexible in the causes you support and the ways you support them, and responding quickly when your philanthropy can create meaningful impact and your community needs it most. Sometimes, even a small adjustment in timing, focus, or funding approach can make a big difference in the lives of people in need.

As always, the Lenawee Community Foundation is here to help. Our team members are deeply connected to local nonprofits and community leaders, which means we are uniquely positioned to identify emerging needs and opportunities for impact. Whether you want to respond to a current challenge, support a specific cause area, or balance immediate needs with long-term charitable goals, the Lenawee Community Foundation can help you structure your overall giving strategy and serve as a sounding board as you carry out your plans.

Please reach out anytime! 

The post A moment to meet: Philanthropy’s crucial role appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

ADRIAN, Mich., Jun. 15, 2026 – Thanks to the generosity of community members, corporate partners, and Lenawee Cares Pillars, Lenawee Cares raised $405,839 during the 2025–26 campaign, bringing the total invested in Lenawee County nonprofits to more than $4 million since the program began in 2016.

Every dollar raised stays right here in Lenawee County, supporting trusted local nonprofit organizations that address both urgent needs and long-term challenges. From food assistance and housing support to childcare, literacy programs, mental health services, and family resources, Lenawee Cares helps ensure local nonprofits have the funding they need to respond when our neighbors need them most.

Lenawee Cares is a community-driven initiative of the Lenawee Community Foundation that brings together individuals, businesses, and organizations around a shared commitment to strengthening Lenawee County. Through collective giving, donors create a flexible source of funding that helps local nonprofits meet emerging needs, expand services, and improve quality of life across our community. With less than nine percent used for administrative costs, Lenawee Cares remains one of the most efficient and impactful ways to give locally.

“At the Lenawee Community Foundation, we know that some of the greatest challenges can be addressed when neighbors come together to help one another,” said Bronna Kahle, President & CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation. “Lenawee Cares reflects the very best of our community. We are incredibly thankful for the individuals, families, businesses, and organizations whose generosity is creating health, happiness, and hope throughout Lenawee County.”

The success of Lenawee Cares is made possible by donors, volunteers, workplace campaign partners, and community champions who believe in the power of local philanthropy. Together, they are helping build a stronger, more resilient Lenawee County where people have access to the support, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive.

To learn more about Lenawee Cares or how to get involved, contact Madison Roberts at 517.263.4696 or email forlenawee@lenaweecf.com.

About Lenawee Cares:

Launched in 2016, Lenawee Cares is a community-powered annual fund and corporate giving campaign focused on meeting essential needs – including food, shelter, clothing, and vital local programs. Every fall, individuals and businesses make pledges, and in the following year, those funds are collected and distributed to support nonprofit organizations across Lenawee County.

About Lenawee Community Foundation:

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for the community. By collecting donations and investing them for lasting impact, the Foundation funds grants, scholarships, and local initiatives to address community needs, support nonprofits, and enhance the wellbeing of Lenawee County. More than just an organization, the Lenawee Community Foundation is an opportunity for individuals, families, and businesses to leverage the power of collective giving to make sure their community stays strong and supported for years to come.

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For more information, please contact: Kirsten Stiver, 517-263-4696, kirsten@lenaweecf.com.

The post Lenawee Cares campaign raises over $405,000 for local nonprofits appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

Kahle has served as President & CEO during a transformative season for the Foundation, helping strengthen the organization internally while expanding its visibility, responsiveness, and impact across Lenawee County. Under her leadership, the Foundation has experienced significant growth in charitable assets, donor engagement, grantmaking, and community leadership initiatives focused on improving Lenawee’s health, happiness, and hope in partnership with donors—now and forever.

During Kahle’s tenure, the Foundation successfully completed the $2 million Health, Happiness, and Hope Fund campaign, launching a stronger flexible grantmaking resource to help Lenawee County respond to current and future community needs. The Foundation also expanded donor services, strengthened grantmaking and community partnerships, and increased organizational capacity to better serve Lenawee for the long term.

“Serving the Lenawee Community Foundation and the people of Lenawee County has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Kahle. “This work is deeply meaningful because it is ultimately about people, relationships, generosity, and community. I am incredibly humbled by what we have built together and deeply grateful to our donors, volunteers, nonprofit partners, staff, and board members for their trust, partnership, and shared commitment to this community.”

Kahle added that she has complete confidence in the Foundation’s future leadership.

“Paula Trentman is exactly the right person to lead LCF into its next chapter,” Kahle said. “She brings decades of community foundation experience, strong relationships across Lenawee County, deep institutional knowledge, and, most importantly, a genuine heart for serving others. The Lenawee Community Foundation will be in excellent hands.”

Trentman has served the Lenawee Community Foundation in various capacities for more than 25 years and currently serves as Executive Vice President. Throughout her tenure, she has played a key leadership role in grantmaking, donor stewardship, scholarships, nonprofit partnerships, and many of the Foundation’s most important community initiatives and programs.

“LCF has always been about helping connect people who care with causes that matter,” said Trentman. “It has been a privilege to be part of this work for so many years, and I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me. Lenawee County is filled with generous people and strong community partners, and I look forward to building on that momentum together in the years ahead.”

Board Chair Dave Hickman said the Board is grateful for Kahle’s leadership and excited for the Foundation’s future under Trentman’s direction.

“Bronna Kahle has provided exceptional leadership during an important season of growth and organizational strengthening for the Lenawee Community Foundation,” Hickman said. “Her passion for Lenawee County, commitment to community philanthropy, and ability to bring people together around meaningful work have left a lasting impact on the Foundation and our community.”

Hickman added, “At the same time, the Board is thrilled to announce Paula Trentman as LCF’s next President & CEO. Paula is respected throughout Lenawee County and across the philanthropic community. She understands this work at every level, believes deeply in the mission of the Lenawee Community Foundation, and leads with both experience and heart. The Board is confident LCF’s future is incredibly bright.”

The Lenawee Community Foundation Board of Directors noted that the transition plan reflects a thoughtful and strategic leadership succession process designed to ensure continuity, stability, and continued momentum for the organization and the community it serves.

About Lenawee Community Foundation:

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for the community. By collecting donations and investing them for lasting impact, the Foundation funds grants, scholarships, and local initiatives to address community needs, support nonprofits, and enhance the wellbeing of Lenawee County. More than just an organization, the Lenawee Community Foundation is an opportunity for individuals, families, and businesses to leverage the power of collective giving to make sure their community stays strong and supported for years to come.

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This free presentation will share key findings from the newly updated Lenawee County Databook, highlighting important trends affecting our community, including economic pressures and financial stability, childhood and family resilience, health and well-being, workforce changes, and overall community capacity.

Developed in partnership with the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, the Databook provides valuable insights into where Lenawee County is thriving and where opportunities for growth remain.

All nonprofits, businesses, organizations, and residents interested in the future of Lenawee County are encouraged to attend.

Attendance is free, but registration is required and seating is limited.

To register, scan the QR code or contact the Lenawee Community Foundation at forlenawee@lenaweecf.com.

The Lenawee Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter, bringing health, happiness, and hope to Lenawee County—now and forever.

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For more information, please contact: Kirsten Stiver, 517-263-4696, kirsten@lenaweecf.com.

The post What’s Happening in Lenawee County? Join the Conversation May 29th, 2026 appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

Partnering with the Johnson Center, the Foundation led an initiative to refresh the report and bring it to life online through a web-friendly version on our website. Unlike previous editions, this effort prioritized community engagement, ensuring residents played a central role in shaping the final project. Guided with a steering committee of LCF staff and local leaders, the Johnson Center facilitated a process that invited residents to participate in workshops and decision-making. The result is a modernized Lenawee County Databook that highlights where Lenawee County is keeping pace, exceeding, or falling behind state and national trends.

The next step is sharing this meaningful data with the community at-large. The Lenawee Community Foundation is excited to announce an engaging exploration of these numbers that impact our Lenawee organizations and daily life for our county’s residents. This eye-opening presentation looks at current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping our community at this very moment. Every data point reveals something significant about where we are and where we are headed.

Key findings from the research highlight important trends and impacts shaping communities across Lenawee County. The Databook identifies several top issues, including economic pressures and financial stability, childhood and family resilience, a changing employment landscape, health and well-being, and overall community capacity. Together, these factors influence our daily lives and shape how we envision the future of the place we call home.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, at 9 a.m., all Lenawee organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals who are invested in our community are welcome to join us for “The State of Our County: A Snapshot of Lenawee,” at the Weber Retreat and Conference Center, 1257 E Siena Heights Dr, Adrian, MI. Attendance is free; however, registration is required.

Seating is limited! To reserve your spot, scan the QR code, click here, or contact the Foundation at forlenawee@lenaweecf.com for more information.

About Lenawee Community Foundation:

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for the community. By collecting donations and investing them for lasting impact, the Foundation funds grants, scholarships, and local initiatives to address community needs, support nonprofits, and enhance the wellbeing of Lenawee County. More than just an organization, the Lenawee Community Foundation is an opportunity for individuals, families, and businesses to leverage the power of collective giving to make sure their community stays strong and supported for years to come.

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For more information, please contact: Kirsten Stiver, 517-263-4696, kirsten@lenaweecf.com.

The post Lenawee Community Foundation to host “The State of Our County: A Snapshot of Lenawee” on May 29 appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

On Thursday, April 23, two individuals and one couple who excel beyond community expectation will be celebrated and honored.

Tom MacNaughton is the recipient of the 2026 Lenawee Leadership Award. The Lenawee Leadership Award honors a person or couple, who exemplify the underlying principle that the future of our county will be determined by the quality of its leadership.

MacNaughton has dedicated his life to serving Lenawee County through decades of leadership, mentorship, and hands-on community involvement. A tireless advocate for others, Tom’s impact spans generations – strengthening organizations, uplifting individuals, and inspiring a culture of service rooted in compassion and connection.

MacNaughton retired after a 31-year career with the Lenawee County Department on Aging, including 24 years as Director. During his tenure, he championed innovative programs that helped older adults remain independent, including transportation, home repair services, and large-scale volunteer initiatives such as a community-wide leaf-raking program that mobilized students to serve seniors. His leadership helped build a strong, lasting foundation of support for Lenawee County’s aging population.

Beyond his professional career, Tom has played a pivotal role in sustaining and strengthening key community institutions. As a longtime leader and volunteer with the Lenawee County YMCA, he helped guide the organization through a period of significant financial hardship. Serving as interim director, donating his salary back to the YMCA, and working alongside partners, he helped to secure its future. His efforts were instrumental in ensuring the YMCA’s continued presence and long-term success in Lenawee County.

Tom’s passion for youth development and mentorship is evident in his work with Adrian Public Schools, where he has coached boys and girls cross country for 13 years and girls tennis for three. Under his guidance, the cross country program has grown in both participation and success, earning multiple championships and state-level recognition. More importantly, Tom has built a culture centered on character, discipline, and belonging – impacting not only athletes, but their families and the broader community.

A lifelong runner, Tom also leads the Lenawee Runners Group and organizes community races and events that promote health, connection, and inclusion. Alongside his wife, Christine, he has dedicated years to the YMCA Splash and Dash youth triathlon, an event now named in their honor.

Known for his humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment, Tom leads by example. He often works quietly behind the scenes, always putting others first. Whether supporting seniors, mentoring young people, or strengthening community organizations, Tom MacNaughton embodies the very best of Lenawee County and continues to inspire those around him to serve, lead, and care deeply for their community.

Robert and Sandy Trevino are the recipients of the 2026 Stubnitz Award. The Stubnitz Award is presented annually to a person or couple demonstrating exemplary commitment to Lenawee Cares, our community, and volunteerism in Lenawee. The award is named in memory of Lenawee’s philanthropist and businessman, Maurice Stubnitz.

For more than five decades, Robert and Sandy Trevino have faithfully served Lenawee County through quiet, consistent volunteerism. Their lives reflect a deep belief in neighbors helping neighbors, and their steady presence has touched children, seniors, migrant workers, and families across our community. Together, they exemplify the heart of the Stubnitz Award.

Robert has devoted countless volunteer hours to the Lenawee County Department on Aging, serving as a tax consultant, trainer, and trusted helper for older adults navigating important financial paperwork. He served on the fundraising committee for Bixby Hospital, the United Way Board, has volunteered with Meals on Wheels, supported migrant ministry efforts, and given many years of service at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Through Civitan and other service organizations, Robert has consistently stepped in wherever extra hands were needed — not for recognition, but simply to help.

For more than 25 years, Sandy personally visited migrant camps throughout Lenawee County, delivering food, clothing, and essential supplies directly to families. Often organizing donations herself, she ensured that those facing hardship felt cared for and welcomed. She co-founded the Adrian Community Nursery to support families with young children and has volunteered with the Goodwill Lark Board, Maurice Spears Campus Board, Civitan, and her church community. As a Eucharistic minister and choir member, she continues to serve faithfully and joyfully.

What stands out most about Robert and Sandy is their willingness to show up week after week, year after year. Their service is rooted in compassion, humility, and a genuine desire to meet practical needs. They have strengthened our community not through titles or accolades, but through decades of hands-on care and personal connection.

Their example reminds us that meaningful change often begins with small, consistent acts of kindness — and that a deep love for Lenawee County is best expressed through service to others.

The 2026 Incito Award recipient is Tino Rebottaro. Incito means to inspire, excite, spur, increase, hasten, urge forward. The Incito Award was established in 2011 to recognize a young person, age 40 or under, who has emerged as a community leader and demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy, and leadership in our community.

Rebottaro has been honored with the 2026 Incito Award by the Lenawee Community Foundation for his dedication to volunteerism and his lasting impact on the local community. A 2004 graduate of Tecumseh High School, Rebottaro attended Northwood University on a football scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in business management. He has shown sustained civic leadership as Board Chair of the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce in 2025 and continues to serve on its Board of Directors. Rebottaro’s previous volunteer involvement also includes Big Brothers Big Sisters, Housing Help of Lenawee, Neighbors of Hope, the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce, and as Chair of the Hospice of Lenawee Annual Giving Committee. He feels fortunate to live in Lenawee County with fellow community leaders who are equally dedicated to improving the county.

Currently, Rebottaro works as a Sales Producer for Iott Insurance Agency, where he combines his business expertise with a commitment to serving the community both professionally and personally.

Outside of work and volunteering, Rebottaro enjoys spending time outdoors—golfing, camping, and other activities—with his wife, Jessica, their son, Jackson, and a close circle of friends.

There is so much to celebrate in Lenawee County! Join the Lenawee Community Foundation’s Annual Celebration breakfast on Thursday, April 23, from 7:45-9:15 a.m. at the Adrian Armory Events Center. Tickets are $20 and include breakfast. Reservations and payment are due by April 7 and can be made by contacting the Foundation at 517.263.4696, scanning or clicking the QR code:

To donate, volunteer, or get involved with one of the Foundation’s many community programs, call 517.263.4696 or visit: lenaweecommunityfoundation.com

About Lenawee Community Foundation:

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for the community. By collecting donations and investing them for lasting impact, the Foundation funds grants, scholarships, and local initiatives to address community needs, support nonprofits, and enhance the wellbeing of Lenawee County. More than just an organization, the Lenawee Community Foundation is an opportunity for individuals, families, and businesses to leverage the power of collective giving to make sure their community stays strong and supported for years to come.

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For more information, please contact: Kirsten Stiver, 517-263-4696, kirsten@lenaweecf.com

The post Lenawee Community Foundation to Host Annual Celebration Breakfast on April 23; Honoring Award Recipients and Celebrating Community Impact appeared first on Lenawee Community Foundation.

It’s tax season, which means it’s a terrific time to ensure that your charitable giving goals are on track. If you’ve already established a fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation (LCF), please reach out to discuss your charitable priorities for 2026 and beyond. If you’ve not yet established a fund but are considering doing so, we hope you’ll reach out, too!

Even if a professional prepares your income tax return, it’s useful to quickly review a few basic rules to pave the way for the conversation about charitable planning, especially in light of key tax law changes effective on January 1, 2026.

Here are four items to discuss with (and forward to!) your CPA.

New rules for itemizing charitable deductions

As in prior years, charitable contributions are deductible only if you itemize your deductions. If your total itemized deductions do not exceed the standard deduction, your charitable gifts will not generate an additional tax benefit (with one exception discussed below).

What’s new for 2026 is a threshold for itemizers: charitable deductions are allowed only to the extent they exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income. In practical terms, this functions like a deductible. If your AGI is $200,000, for example, the first $1,000 of charitable contributions will not be deductible. Only amounts above that level are eligible, subject to existing percentage-of-income limits. For some people, this change may make it more appealing to “bundle” or “bunch” contributions into a single year—such as through a donor-advised fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation—so that total giving comfortably exceeds both the standard deduction and the new AGI floor.

In addition, beginning in 2026, the value of itemized charitable deductions is capped at a 35% rate. So, even if you are in the 37% federal bracket, your charitable deduction will not offset income at your full marginal rate. While philanthropy is rarely motivated solely by taxes, this adjustment may influence the timing, structure, or asset selection for major gifts. Coordinating early with both your tax advisors and the Lenawee Community Foundation team can help you evaluate the most efficient approach.

Finally, in a bit of good news, the long-standing rule allowing cash gifts to qualified public charities (such as your fund at LCF) to be deducted up to 60% of AGI has been made permanent (after clearing the new 0.5% AGI floor). Gifts of appreciated assets—such as stock or real estate—are generally deductible up to 30% of AGI.

New deduction for non-itemizers

Beginning in 2026, even if you do not itemize deductions on your tax return, you may claim an above-the-line charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for single filers or up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, for cash gifts to qualifying charities. Because this deduction reduces income before AGI is calculated, it can provide a meaningful benefit. It does not apply to non-cash gifts, and certain types of funds—such as donor-advised funds—are not eligible for this particular deduction. Even so, this new rule creates planning opportunities for many households who previously saw no tax impact from their annual giving. Keep this in mind for young adult children who do not yet itemize and who would like to start getting involved in charitable giving.

Document your charitable deductions

Not surprisingly, documentation rules remain in place. Gifts over $250 require a written acknowledgment from the charity. (The Lenawee Community Foundation provides this for gifts into a fund or to LCF itself.) Non-cash gifts valued at $500 or more require IRS Form 8283, and qualified appraisals are required for donations over $5,000, such as closely held stock or real estate.

If you organize your giving through a donor-advised fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation, you might consider structuring your annual giving so that you receive a single tax receipt for your annual contribution of cash, stock, or other assets to the fund. Your CPA won’t need separate receipts for each grant the fund distributes to your favorite charities. Many donors find this consolidated recordkeeping especially helpful at tax time.

If you are age 70 ½ or older, consider gifts from your IRAs

Qualified Charitable Distributions may be even more valuable under the new tax rules. If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can use a QCD to direct funds from your IRA to certain types of charitable funds at the Lenawee Community Foundation and other public charities. The 2026 annual limit is $111,000 per taxpayer, allowing you to transfer significant amounts to charity without including the distribution in taxable income. QCDs can also satisfy required minimum distributions if you’ve reached the age where those apply.

Importantly, QCDs are not affected by the new itemized deduction floor or deduction caps, making them an especially efficient strategy for many retirees. As a reminder, QCDs cannot be directed to donor-advised funds, but they can support designated, field-of-interest, or unrestricted funds at the Lenawee Community Foundation.

The charitable tax rules have always required thoughtful planning. In 2026, that planning is simply more nuanced. We encourage you to forward this summary to your CPA or bring it to your next meeting. When you do, please keep us in the loop. It is our honor to work alongside your tax, legal, and financial advisors to help structure your giving in a way that aligns with both your philanthropic goals and your overall financial plan.

For information, call 517.263.4696, contact forlenawee@lenaweecf.com , or visit lenaweecf.com.

The team at the Lenawee Community Foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

### Media contact: Kirsten Stiver, 517-263-4696, kirsten@lenaweecf.com.

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