Giving Back for the Love of Animals and the Future We Share

Most of us don't think of ourselves as philanthropists. We simply see a need, feel connected to a cause, and want to make a difference.

At FACE Foundation, we see what that generosity makes possible every day.

When a beloved pet needs emergency or critical veterinary care, the cost can leave families facing an impossible decision. Thanks to the compassion of our donors, FACE helps bridge the financial gap, giving pets access to lifesaving treatment and families the chance to stay together.

Every gift represents something meaningful: a successful surgery, a joyful reunion, or more precious years with a beloved companion.

As 2026 comes to a close, it's a wonderful time to reflect on the causes closest to your heart. Recent changes to charitable giving tax laws may also provide new opportunities to support organizations like FACE while making thoughtful financial decisions.

New Charitable Giving Opportunities in 2026

Giving back has always been about making a difference, but beginning in 2026, more taxpayers may be able to receive a tax benefit for their generosity.

Under new federal tax rules, eligible individuals who take the standard deduction may deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash charitable contributions, while married couples filing jointly may deduct up to $2,000.

Previously, taxpayers who did not itemize generally received no federal income tax deduction for charitable donations. This change creates an additional opportunity for eligible households to support the causes they care about.

For those who itemize, charitable contributions may continue to provide tax benefits, although new limitations and requirements may apply.

Whether you're making your first charitable contribution or continuing a tradition of giving, even a modest gift can have a meaningful impact.

At FACE, every contribution helps bring us closer to a future where financial hardship doesn't prevent a beloved pet from receiving critical veterinary care.

Give More Through Appreciated Stocks and Investments

For some donors, one of the most effective ways to support a favorite cause isn't through a traditional cash donation.

If you own stocks, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds that have increased in value, donating those investments directly to a qualified charity may offer financial advantages while making a significant difference.

When appreciated investments are sold, capital gains taxes may apply. However, donating eligible securities directly to a charitable organization may allow you to avoid realizing those gains and potentially qualify for a charitable tax deduction.

Depending on your circumstances, gifts of appreciated investments may help you:

• Make a larger charitable contribution without using available cash.

• Avoid realizing capital gains on eligible appreciated assets.

• Qualify for a charitable income tax deduction.

• Align your financial planning with causes that matter most to you.

For additional information about noncash charitable contributions, explore FACE's article on gifts of in-kind assets, goods, and services.

A financial or tax advisor can help determine whether donating appreciated investments is appropriate for your situation.

Make a Difference Through Your IRA

If you're age 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) may be another meaningful way to support FACE.

A QCD allows eligible individuals to transfer funds directly from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a qualifying charitable organization.

For 2026, the annual QCD limit is $111,000 per eligible IRA owner.

Unlike a traditional taxable IRA withdrawal, a qualifying QCD is generally excluded from taxable income. For individuals required to take annual Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), a QCD may also satisfy some or all of that requirement.

This approach allows eligible retirees to support causes close to their hearts while potentially managing their taxable income.

For those who have spent a lifetime loving animals, it can be a meaningful way to turn retirement savings into lifesaving opportunities for pets and families.

Every Gift Makes a Difference

There is no single way to be a philanthropist, and generosity is never measured by the size of a gift.

At FACE, it's measured in the lives touched and the families kept together.

Your support can help a family afford emergency surgery for their dog, give a cherished senior cat access to critical treatment, or provide a pet with the medical care needed for a second chance.

There are many ways to make that impact.

Give Today

One-Time or Recurring Donations

Support FACE's ongoing mission by making a donation of any size. Monthly donations provide a dependable source of support for pets and families facing unexpected veterinary emergencies.

Shop or Donate to Wag N' Purr Shop

Give gently loved luxury handbags, jewelry, accessories, and other accepted items a new purpose through Wag N' Purr Shop's Closets for a Cause initiative, where donated merchandise helps generate proceeds benefiting FACE Foundation.

Give Strategically

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

Support lifesaving veterinary care through eligible gifts of stocks and other investments.

Qualified Charitable Distributions

Eligible IRA owners can make direct charitable contributions while potentially benefiting from favorable tax treatment.

Donor-Advised Funds

Recommend a grant to FACE through an existing donor-advised fund and make animal welfare part of your charitable giving strategy.

Employer Matching Gifts

Some employers match eligible charitable donations, allowing your generosity to go even further. Learn more about employer matching and its benefits.

Create a Lasting Legacy

Planned and Estate Gifts

Including FACE in your estate plans is a meaningful way to extend your compassion beyond your lifetime and help future generations of pets and families.

The FACE Endowment Fund

A gift to the FACE Endowment Fund helps build long-term financial support for FACE's mission, creating a lasting source of assistance for pets in need.

Whatever form your generosity takes, it helps make critical veterinary care more accessible to the families who need it most.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Year-end giving doesn't have to be complicated, but starting early can make the process easier.

Certain charitable gifts, particularly those involving appreciated securities, retirement accounts, or estate planning, may require additional coordination with financial institutions, professional advisors, and FACE.

Taking time to explore your options can help ensure your gift reflects both your financial goals and personal values.

It's also an opportunity to think about the legacy you want to create.

For many of us, animals have brought immeasurable joy, comfort, and companionship into our lives. Giving back is one way to honor that bond and help others experience more years with the pets they love.

Your Compassion Creates Their Second Chance

For 20 years, FACE Foundation has helped pets and families navigate some of life's most difficult moments.

Behind every pet we help is a family that loves them. Behind every successful treatment is a community of veterinarians, supporters, and donors who believe that financial hardship should never be the reason a family loses a beloved companion.

As we celebrate two decades of keeping pets and families together and the milestone of 5,000 lives saved, we're reminded that our work is only possible because people like you choose to care. With a goal of raising $500,000 to help even more pets in need, we're looking ahead to the next 5,000 lives we can change together.

Whether you give $25, $250, $2,500, or choose to make a gift through investments, retirement assets, or your estate, your generosity helps create more second chances.

And those second chances mean everything to the families who receive them.

Make Your Year-End Gift Count

As you consider your charitable giving plans for 2026, we invite you to include FACE Foundation among the causes closest to your heart.

Make a year-end gift today to help provide critical veterinary care to pets in need.

Together, we can give more pets the chance to heal, go home, and enjoy more years with the people who love them.

About the Contributor

Lana Hock is a Director/Financial Advisor with the Hock Group at R.W. Baird & Co., specializing in wealth management and financial planning for individuals and small business owners.

Her lifelong love of animals began while growing up on a farm in Nebraska. A dedicated FACE supporter since 2021, Lana joined FACE Foundation's Board of Directors in 2023.

Look for future columns from Lana in FACE newsletters exploring additional charitable giving strategies, including in-kind donations, retirement accounts, donor-advised funds, private foundations, and charitable trusts.

Learn More About Legacy Giving

Interested in creating a lasting impact for pets and families in need?

Visit FACE's Planned Giving page to explore how you can make FACE part of your legacy.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Donors should consult their personal tax and legal professionals regarding their individual circumstances.