Most of us give because we care about something, not because of the tax code. But how you give affects how much reaches the causes you support and how much stays with your family. The same $10,000 gift to the same charity can cost you $10,000, or closer to $7,000, depending on which account it comes from and when.

2026 is a good year to pay attention. New tax rules took effect in January that changed how charitable giving works. Some of the changes help and some don't. Either way, the approach that worked a few years ago may not be the best one today.

Alex Seleznev of Capital Squared Financial will walk through the practical options, during your lifetime and through your estate, including appreciated stock, real estate, donor advised funds and qualified charitable distributions (QCD). On the estate side, he will cover bequests, beneficiary designations, life insurance and charitable trusts.

Alex will bring real examples from his client work, including a couple who saved five figures by changing nothing but the timing of their giving.

We'll finish closer to home with a look at supporting local organizations, and leave plenty of time for questions.

Alex Seleznev, MBA, CFP®, CFA, is Founder and Financial Planner at Capital Squared Financial, a Rockville-based firm specializing in retirement planning.