How much will tax "reform" impact charities. Just looking at us.

We have always been quite charitable. We certainly know others who are all the more giving of their time and funds. We know many others who are far less generous. It is always interesting to see what draws people to various causes. I don't believe one does anything without a selfish motivation. This isn't a bad thing. We need a motivator. It can be something that provides solace, something that provides vindication, a simple sense of giving back, but we need a reason to decide to commit to the mission of the organization. The idea that we do things totally selflessly is really bullshit at the end of the day. Far less effort would be put into development, which is the hardest part of any non-profit, if that were the case.

The amount of funds we give to various causes depends on how well we are doing financially and other goals. It doesn't really have a precise formula. My husband feels a bit more need to be giving than I do when the coffers aren't as full. He seems to have a necessity to give back. I feel a desire, they differ. Perhaps like really needing a drink versus wanting one? We are overzealous, however, always about giving clothing, household items, most anything sellable to thrift stores. Unless it isn't again usable, we don't believe it should be just disposed. I personally love spring cleaning and feel freedom, a lift off my shoulders when I clean out the home. Plus, especially with clothing, it becomes an excuse for shopping, at least when the coffers allow us to do so. Yet, I like to think we are not excessive. We are also amazingly good shoppers so we tend to have more for less overall. Most often that works out well. Occasionally, you look through your closet later and wonder what you were thinking.

On average, our charitable donations are between $10,000 and $15,000. Under the new tax plan, the way I understand it, the standard deduction as a couple is $24,000. So, now there is no incentive for us to give money or items to charity for a tax benefit anyway. It is not totally changing us but I'd be lying to say it isn't having an impact. I'd like my husband to give up his automatic donations from his paycheck at work for example. Why do we bother now? They aren't large, but also aren't of any tax benefit. Money is tight at the moment anyway, but it is doubtful I will make any contribution to my prep school this year. They really aren't hurting and so few from my class do anyway. We have donated a mere $20 to our church thus far this year and not making any commitment. They are behind in their budget, but it's a very wealthy Episcopal Church. Some of the very wealthy members can worry about their short term future. We are reaching out to friends to give away furniture, which I would say we might anyway and always feels best, before charity, in our move. I am selling clothes to the likes of stores like Crossroads, but otherwise just holding them rather than giving them to charity.

My bet is, even with a move where we "dump" as much as 1/3 of our furniture and are severely cleaning out closets in a major way, we will have far less in donations this year. Our cash donations undoubtedly will be reduced, even when our income situation improves again. The tax incentive has been removed. This doesn't bode well for many charities who rely heavily  on their thrift stores and their small and mid-size cash donors.