Charitable investments in the Inland Empire will pay lasting dividends – Press Enterprise

As the holiday giving season comes to a close, there is still an opportunity to make a gift that will provide lasting benefits throughout the coming year.

What if you could make an investment today that would provide a financial return, improve people’s lives, and deliver an intrinsic reward?

With Dec. 31 as the deadline for year-end charitable giving, now is your chance to capture several benefits by donating to a local nonprofit organization in our community.

According to a 2024 study on the emotional consequences of spending, 200 participants across seven countries found that people who gave to charity reported higher levels of happiness than those who spent money in other ways. It is not surprising that paying for utilities, transportation and medical expenses provided the least satisfaction. But even greater than giving a gift to a loved one or purchasing a personal experience was the satisfaction that was reported by those who had donated to a charitable organization.

Beyond our personal benefit, charitable giving also pays significant benefits to those in our community as nonprofits rely on donations to bring their missions to life. The just-released 2025 Health of U.S. Nonprofit Sector reports that 68% of nonprofits nationwide expect demand for their services to increase in 2026, but just 31% anticipate having the ability to expand how many people they are serving.

According to a 2020 report by UC Riverside’s Center for Social Innovation, there are over 14,000 nonprofit organizations serving the Inland Empire. However, Inland Empire nonprofits have fewer assets and smaller budgets than state averages, which means every dollar donated locally goes much further.

For organizations like Family Service Association, private donations help to meet their mission each day fighting and preventing homelessness and hunger across east and central San Bernardino County. Their 2025 year-end “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” campaign raises funds to provide shelter and basic provisions for low-income families.

“With more than 50% of our annual budget being comprised of local donors, their giving is the heartbeat of our mission,” said Kyra Steward, executive director. “Our neighbors make it possible for us to feed, house and lift up families who are in a time of crisis.”  

For those who itemize deductions on their taxes, charitable donations can also help to further reduce a 2025 tax bill when made before the year’s end. Given changes from the recently passed H.R. 1 federal budget act, giving more in 2025 may be wise for higher income earners. Starting next year, only charitable contributions exceeding .5% of adjusted gross income will be deductible, and the tax deduction benefit for top earners will be capped at 35%. So, giving more before the end of 2025 could be a wise strategy.

For non-itemizers, there is good news on the charitable donations front in 2026. Beginning next year, single filers can claim a federal deduction for donations up to $1,000, and $2,000 can be claimed by joint filers. 

Moses House Ministries, based in Victorville, is dedicated to building strong futures for young children by providing services for families in the High Desert. Programs include evidence-based parenting classes, one-on-one family support and resource navigation, marriage strengthening and programs to address a family’s basic needs.

Moses House relies on donations to help sustain parenting programs, case management services, and to ensure their diaper bank and family store remain stocked.

“When we invest in the places we live, work, and play, we are investing in the success of our own families and neighborhoods for today and into tomorrow,” said Matthew Coughlin, executive director for Moses House. “They say it takes a village to raise our children, and when we support locally, we are standing with local moms, dads, and children who are relying on that village during their most vulnerable moments.”

To amplify the impact of your charitable giving, you might consider donating appreciated stock or other non-cash assets that have been held for more than one year. Doing so provides a deduction at the current fair market value and allows you to avoid capital gains tax that otherwise would be paid when selling the appreciated asset. Be sure, however, to transfer the asset directly to your chosen charity or donor advised fund to capture the full tax benefit. 

For those 70½ years and older, you might also consider making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA to both meet your required minimum distribution and your charitable giving goals. Of course, consult your tax adviser when considering any of these strategies.

Goodwill Southern California is one of our longest-standing nonprofits in the region, committed to transforming lives through employment with services including job training, career placement, and supportive services. Although Goodwill is often known for their thrift stores, their mission in Southern California goes much deeper, helping youth, veterans, homeless, justice involved and those with disabilities.

Year-end donations to Goodwill help to fuel hands-on skills training, career coaching, digital access, and placement into living-wage jobs for tens of thousands across the Inland Empire and Los Angeles.