Purposeful Giving After Retirement

July 2025 – Generosity CORNER – If you’ve recently retired, you might still be figuring out the right mix of rest, hobbies, and meaningful activity. And if you’ve been retired for years, you may still be adjusting—that’s normal! Research consistently shows that a strong sense of purpose is key to a happy and fulfilling retirement.

At the DeKalb County Community Foundation, we’re here to make charitable giving easy, flexible, and impactful. We often hear from donors who are pleasantly surprised at how rewarding it feels to support causes they care about—especially when it’s done in a way that truly reflects their values and strengthens life across our region.

Consider the following:

• • A large-scale, longitudinal study used data from 13,770 older adults, finding that those with a higher sense of purpose at baseline were significantly less likely to develop unhealthy behaviors.
  • Other research used a nationally representative panel of over 8,000 American adults and determined that, contrary to some beliefs, retirement can actually increase a person’s sense of purpose.
  • A cross-sectional study analyzed data from nearly 2,000 adults and found that sense of purpose was significantly associated with lower depression and anxiety in both retirees and non-retirees.

Indeed, retirement offers a unique opportunity for individuals to rediscover their sense of purpose beyond the confines of a traditional career. The Community Foundation can play a pivotal role in this journey.

Here’s how:

1. Check in on tax planning:
   The Community Foundation can work with you and your tax advisors to ensure your charitable giving is reflected in your estate and financial plans. We’ll help you explore strategies like itemizing in certain years, “bunching” donations to a Donor Advised Fund, or making tax-free IRA transfers (up to $108,000 in 2025) if you’re 70½ or older. These tools can help you maximize impact while making the most of available tax benefits.
2. Involve the next generation:
   Retirement often brings more time to involve family in your charitable giving. The Community Foundation can work with you and your advisors to name children or grandchildren as advisors or successors to your Donor Advised Fund. We can also help include them in site visits and learning opportunities—building stronger family connections and a lasting legacy of generosity.
3. Build a legacy:
   Many people update their estate plans after retirement—it’s a great time to consider a gift that ensures your charitable legacy lives on. Naming a Fund at the Community Foundation as the beneficiary of your IRA can offer significant tax advantages. We’re happy to work with you and your advisors to set up a named Fund that reflects your wishes, whether it’s a permanent endowment or support for the Foundation’s ongoing work. You can also name your Donor Advised Fund as a beneficiary and involve your children or grandchildren as future advisors to continue your family’s tradition of giving. It’s all about Generosity across Generations!
   

We’re here to support you in making a meaningful impact through charitable giving—now and throughout your retirement years. To discuss the best ways to achieve your philanthropic goals, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

Philanthropy comes in many forms, and every act of generosity makes a difference. In these Generosity CORNER articles, we’ll share ideas for giving, smart strategies for maximizing your charitable impact, and tips on tax-wise giving, legacy planning, and family philanthropy. Whether you’re a charitable estate planning advisor, a longtime donor, or just beginning your giving journey, this space is for you. Inform and inspire!

Together, we can make a lasting difference—one generous act at a time!