With new tax rules taking effect in 2026, this year is an especially meaningful time to support Minds Matter Colorado students.
As we head into the season of giving and you might be considering making your first give or a larger gift, 2025 is the year to do it.
Beginning in 2026, new tax laws under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) will reshape how charitable deductions work. For many donors, these changes mean that giving before the end of 2025 may be more advantageous, and more impactful, than waiting until 2026.
At Minds Matter Colorado (MMCO), we’re sharing these updates not just as a friendly FYI, but because we know that thoughtful, strategic giving can help our students access the people, preparation, and possibilities they need to succeed in college, and change their futures. Afterall, we know that potential needs a partner!
What’s Changing in 2026
Here are some of the most important updates on the horizon:
- A new “universal” charitable deduction will allow non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (married) for cash donations starting in 2026. That’s good news for everyday givers.
- Itemizers, however, will face new limits:
- Only contributions beyond 0.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) will be deductible.
- The maximum tax benefit will be capped at 35%, even for those in higher brackets.
- The 60% AGI cap for cash gifts to public charities will stay—but some higher-income donors will see smaller deductions per dollar given.
In short: those who plan to give larger or multi-year gifts may benefit most from doing so in 2025, while current rules still apply.
What This Means for Minds Matter Colorado
For us, these changes are about more than numbers, they’re about timing and impact. Your gift in 2025:
- Goes further: You can take advantage of existing tax rules while directly supporting the 108 driven and determined students MMCO serves across Colorado.
- Builds momentum: Early giving helps us plan confidently for next year: curriculum, summer programs, college advising, scholarships, and our College Success initiatives.
- Empowers opportunity: Every dollar fuels access to the people, preparation, and possibilities our students need to achieve college success and economic mobility.
Ways to Make the Most of 2025 Giving
- Consider “bunching” your gifts. If you typically give annually, think about consolidating multiple years of support into one larger 2025 contribution to maximize your deduction.
- Talk to your advisor about donor-advised funds (DAFs). Funding or distributing from a DAF before the new rules take effect could be advantageous.
- Explore multi-year commitments. Multi-year pledges, especially made now, help MMCO plan for stability and growth through 2026 and beyond.
- Give appreciated assets. Stocks and securities remain one of the most tax-efficient ways to give.
- Simply give now. Sometimes, the best plan is the easiest one: make your 2025 gift early and feel great knowing you’re supporting students while maximizing your impact.
- Make a gift to MMCO’s Endowment and make an investment in our and our students’ futures.
Final Thought
We know tax changes can feel complicated, but this one thing is simple: when you give to Minds Matter Colorado, you’re investing in potential.
This year, your generosity can go even further, for you and for our students. If you’ve been considering a special gift, this is the moment to make it. mindsmatterco.org/donate
