Investing with Faith / Robin Davidson

New tax provision offers unique opportunity to maximize your giving

If you could give a little more this year to support the mission of your parish, would you consider it?

Beginning in 2026, a new federal tax provision creates a meaningful opportunity for many parishioners to do just that. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, taxpayers who take the standard deduction (often called “non-itemizers”) may deduct up to $1,000 (individuals) or $2,000 (married filing jointly) for cash contributions to qualified charities, including churches.

As the business manager for St. Ambrose Parish in Seymour, I would like to encourage you to consider how this provision might support both your personal stewardship and the mission of your parish. While you could certainly apply this benefit to what you already give, you might also prayerfully consider making an additional gift to your parish in light of this opportunity.

Is there a special ministry within your parish that you feel passionate about supporting, such as a homeless mission, a parish you have a twinning relationship with, a prison ministry or the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society that could benefit by a one-time or ongoing donation?

Perhaps you might make a special gift at Easter or Christmas or slightly increase your weekly or monthly Sunday contribution with this provision in mind. Even modest increases, when multiplied across a parish community, can make a real and lasting difference.

To put the numbers in perspective, the $1,000 or $2,000 annual amount breaks down to approximately $83 per month for an individual or $167 per month for a family. If just 50 families were able to participate at that level, it could generate an additional $100,000 per year in support for the parish. Not every family can commit to a large increase, but again, even small gifts matter greatly when a parish community acts together.

Here at St. Ambrose, additional support would allow us to strengthen vital ministries, care for our facilities and invest in programs that nurture our Catholic faith across generations.

Recently, we have seen an increase in people seeking financial assistance. In response, one of our parishioners set up a recurring gift of $100 per month to support our parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. This kind of steady, ongoing support provides us with stable resources to help the poor in our community. I invite you to reflect on how even a modest recurring monthly gift could impact a parish ministry close to your heart.

Another meaningful way to make an extra contribution is through a one-time or recurring gift to your parish’s Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) endowment fund. Endowments are a wonderful form of stewardship, providing lasting support that benefits the parish both now and well into the future.

At St. Ambrose, parishioners may choose to support our church, school, religious education program or parish cemetery through one of our four CCF endowment funds. Each fund provides valuable distributions year after year to their respective areas—and grows in the meantime.

Finally, while this new provision offers potential tax benefits, we remember that giving is not motivated by tax reasons alone. Giving is an act of faith, gratitude and stewardship in which we are called to give back to God the first fruits of his blessings. This provision may also be an opportunity to encourage adult children or grandchildren to begin their own journey of stewardship with a small, recurring monthly contribution to a charity that speaks to their heart—perhaps even to their parish!

I invite you to take a moment to pray and discern how this new “above-the-line” charitable deduction might impact your stewardship. Whether through a small increase, a recurring gift or support of a particular ministry, your generosity truly matters.

Together, they allow our parishes to continue Christ’s work in our communities.
 

(Robin Davidson is the business manager at St. Ambrose Parish in Seymour. She also serves as a member of the Catholic Community Foundation’s Planned Giving Committee. Tax or legal information provided herein is not intended as tax or legal advice. Always consult with your legal, tax or financial advisors before implementing any gift plan. For more information on the Catholic Community Foundation, visit www.archindy.org/CCF, e-mail ccf@archindy.org, or call 317-236-1482.) †