There are many ways to support your favorite organizations (like Tree Pittsburgh!) and the work we do in the community. Choosing which method makes the most sense for you may depend on your goals, resources, and even your age. Here is an overview of some of the most common ways of giving, but we recommend consulting your attorney or tax advisor for more personalized advice.
One-time and recurring gifts can make the most immediate impact.
Some ways, like sending a check or making a one-time donation online, are simple and straightforward—and provide immediate support for our most urgent needs.
You may want to deepen your commitment and become a Perennial Favorite by setting up a recurring donation. This type of gift is a great way to stretch your giving by spreading it out over the year, and helps us to plan by knowing we can count on your support year round.
These types of donations are put to work right away at Tree Pittsburgh, powering our tree planting and tree care programs and growing a greener future in our nursery.
There are some tax code changes starting in 2026 that may influence your giving.
If you take the standard deduction on your tax return, you can take advantage of the Universal Charitable Deduction. Starting in 2026, you can deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married filing jointly) of your charitable gifts of cash or cash equivalents (credit card, check, etc.). This means that achieving your philanthropic goals by supporting organizations you care about can lower your tax liability—a win-win situation!
There are some changes in 2026 to itemized deductions as well; only charitable contributions that exceed 0.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be deducted. Talk with your financial advisor to see how this change may affect your giving strategy.
Note that these changes apply to tax year 2026, you won’t see them on your 2025 tax filing!
There are other “Smart” ways to give, too—meaning tax-advantaged ways of giving that can maximize your impact.
Donating appreciated stocks or mutual funds directly can provide Tree Pittsburgh with the full amount of the donation, without the reduction of capital gains tax that would be incurred if you sold the stock and donated the proceeds. You can also receive a tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock at the time of donation, not just the original cost basis. The benefits of this type of giving may vary depending on your tax bracket and other factors, and should be discussed with your financial advisor.
If you are 73 or older, you must make required minimum distributions (RMD) from your individual retirement account (IRA) each year. Making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to Tree Pittsburgh can help you fulfill your RMD without increasing your taxable income. You can begin making QCDs at age 70 ½, which may help reduce the amount of your RMD in the future.
You can also recommend a grant from your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). There are a number of local and national DAF providers to choose from. This is a great vehicle to earmark funds for charitable purposes, which can be distributed over time.
Legacy gifts, such as bequests and beneficiary designations (of an IRA, DAF, or insurance policy), create a lasting impact and sustain our mission for generations. Filling out a gift intention form for your legacy gift helps us understand your goals, and keeps you connected to your impact during your lifetime.
“Smart” gifts can have a transformational impact on Tree Pittsburgh’s mission, and can be tailored to your specific financial situation and philanthropic goals.
There are also unique ways to support Tree Pittsburgh’s mission that have extra benefits to you.
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate a milestone like a birth, marriage, or major birthday or anniversary, or to memorialize someone important to you, you can Gift a Tree, which will be planted in the community during our next planting season.
You can also donate vehicles, such as cars, boats, and RVs, to benefit Tree Pittsburgh. The process is easy, and can save a lot of hassle if you have a vehicle you no longer need.
Donating your time as a volunteer is another incredibly valuable way to support Tree Pittsburgh’s mission. From harvesting and preparing seeds, to tending seedlings, and planting and caring for trees throughout the county, there are many opportunities to help grow and protect our tree canopy.
Many employers match their employees’ charitable contributions or volunteer hours, making your gift go even further at no cost to you. If you’re not sure if your company offers a matching program, talk to your HR department to learn more.
However you choose to support Tree Pittsburgh, know that your gift is deeply appreciated and directly supports growing, planting, maintaining, and protecting our community’s trees.
Have questions, or want to learn more about how to support Tree Pittsburgh? Contact Development Manager Liz Lenthe at liz@treepittsburgh.org.