When you give to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, your generosity goes far. As a trusted nonprofit rooted in the community, we’ve built a strong reputation for turning every dollar into meaningful change. Through efficient operations and strong local partnerships, your support helps provide nutritious food while strengthening long-term food security across our region.
Many supporters also choose to give through non-cash assets instead of cash, which can offer meaningful tax advantages. Options like stock gifts, qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised funds and cryptocurrency can help you maximize your charitable impact while also supporting thoughtful financial planning.
Below are several smart ways to give that can strengthen your impact while supporting Second Harvest’s mission.
Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from Your IRA
If you are age 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a nonprofit like Second Harvest.
A QCD allows you to:
- Donate up to $115,000 per year from your IRA
- Satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD)
- Reduce your taxable income
For many supporters, this is a powerful way to help strengthen food access in the community while managing retirement income taxes.
Recommend a Grant from Your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
UNE donor-advised fund (DAF) is a flexible and tax-efficient way to support charitable causes.
If you already have a DAF, you can recommend a grant to Second Harvest to help provide nutritious food to families, seniors and children across Silicon Valley.
Benefits of giving through a DAF include:
- Immediate tax benefits when you contribute to the fund
- Flexibility to recommend grants at any time
- A simple way to support multiple charities
Donate Stock or Appreciated Assets
Donating stocks, mutual funds or other appreciated securities can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to support a nonprofit.
When you donate appreciated stock directly to Second Harvest, you may be able to:
- Avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation
- Receive a charitable tax deduction for the full fair market value of the asset
- Increase the impact of your gift without increasing your out-of-pocket cost
This option can be especially beneficial if your investments have grown significantly in value.
Faire un don de crypto-monnaie
If you hold cryptocurrency, donating it directly to a nonprofit can also be a tax-efficient strategy.
In many cases, crypto donors may:
- Avoid capital gains tax on the donated asset
- Receive a charitable deduction for the value of the donation
Donating cryptocurrency allows you to turn digital assets into real support for neighbors who need access to nutritious food.
Maximize Your Impact with Smart Giving
Choosing tax-efficient ways to give — whether through stocks, retirement assets, donor-advised funds or cryptocurrency — can help you maximize the impact of your generosity while also taking advantage of potential financial benefits.
When you give to Second Harvest, you can feel confident your support will make a meaningful difference. Nearly 95% of contributions go directly to client programs, helping ensure neighbors across our community have the nutritious food they need to thrive.
That impact is matched by a strong commitment to transparency and accountability. Second Harvest has maintained a 4-star rating — the highest possible — from Charity Navigator since 2007, along with a perfect 100% score across impact and measurement, accountability and finance, leadership and adaptability, and culture and community.
Because of our proven impact and commitment to responsible stewardship, our work is powered largely by community support — 75% of our funding comes from individuals like you.
Your generosity keeps food flowing across Silicon Valley, helping ensure neighbors have reliable access to the nourishment they need today and into the future.
This information is not intended as tax advice. Please consult your financial or tax advisor.
