Your 2026 Year-End Giving Menu: 5 Tax-Smart Ways to Fuel Potential’s 20th Year

Blog Nov 11, 2026

If you live or own a business in Pennsylvania, you don’t have to write a traditional check to make a transformative impact this holiday season. Tax-smart giving lets you redirect state tax dollars you already owe (or leverage non-cash assets) to directly fund individualized care for local children and young adults with autism.

At Potential, our mission is to engage children and adults with autism in personalized programs that help them realize their full potential. As we continue to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we have expanded our reach by officially opening the Potential-Bristol campus, earned The Philadelphia Inquirer’s 2026 Top Workplace award for the second year in a row, and this November, we are even shedding light on autism care by filming for a national docuseries.

With Giving Tuesday right around the corner on December 1, 2026 (where we are working to raise $20,000 to direct resources immediately where our students, clients, and clinical teams need them most), and the December 31 tax deadline following close behind, now is the time to plan your impact.

If you live or run a business in Pennsylvania, tax-smart giving allows you to redirect tax liability you already owe – or leverage non-cash assets – to directly fund these life-changing programs. Here is your guide to giving smarter before the year ends.

1. The Top Priority: PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)

Our students at Springtime School need tuition scholarships now. Through Pennsylvania’s EITC program, you can turn state tax dollars into immediate student support.

If you pay PA state income tax – either as a business owner or as an individual with state personal income tax liability through a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) – you can redirect those funds directly to Potential.

The Benefit: Receive a Pennsylvania state tax credit of up to 90% of your gift.
The Real Cost: A $10,000 contribution can cost you as little as $1,000 out of pocket after the 90% state tax credit, while delivering the full $10,000 to our classrooms.
The Process: We partner with Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) to make paperwork straightforward and turnkey for both individuals and businesses.
Timeline: EITC credits are allocated on a rolling basis. Because state program caps fill quickly, initiate this 15-minute process before December 31.

To get started with EITC, reach out directly to Maria Evan at Potential to review your eligibility, reserve your tax credit, and walk through the simple one-page setup.

2. Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)

If you have already contributed assets to a Donor-Advised Fund through Schwab Charitable, Fidelity Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or a community foundation, you’ve already taken your federal tax deduction.

Leaving those charitable dollars unallocated doesn’t help local families today. By recommending a year-end grant from your DAF to Potential, you turn reserved charitable funds into tangible impact across our campuses, classrooms, clinical programs, and community services.

Action Step: Log in to your DAF sponsor portal and search for Potential Inc. (Tax ID / EIN 20-2585393), designate your grant to our general fund, and notify our development team so we can confirm receipt.

“Everyone with autism deserves support that meets them where they are and grows with them. While ABA isn’t only used to support individuals with autism, it’s made a lasting difference for many – helping them build skills and confidence that carry through every stage of life.”

— Kristine Quinby, MEd, LBS, BCBA , Founder, President & CEO, Potential

3. IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)

If you are 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is one of the most tax-efficient ways to make a year-end gift.

You can transfer funds directly from a traditional IRA to Potential without that withdrawal counting toward your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Satisfy Your RMD: If you are age 73 or older and subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMD), a QCD counts toward your annual RMD requirement.
Avoid AGI Creep: Keeping that distribution out of your taxable income can help prevent you from getting bumped into a higher tax bracket or triggering higher Medicare premiums.
Limit: You can transfer up to $111,000 per individual taxpayer per calendar year.

The transfer must come directly from your IRA custodian to Potential before December 31 to qualify for the 2026 tax year. Start this process today so students like Sadie and Alex can continue to access the help they need.

4. Donating Appreciated Stock or Mutual Funds

Writing a check or using a credit card is simple, but donating appreciated securities held for more than one year offers a double tax benefit:

Avoid Capital Gains Tax: You pay zero capital gains tax on the appreciation.
Full Fair Market Value Deduction: You can deduct the full current market value of the stock on your federal return (subject to IRS limits).

Potential accepts direct electronic transfers of public stocks, mutual funds, and bonds. Because brokerage transfers often take 3 to 7 business days to clear during the December rush, we recommend initiating stock transfers by mid-December.

5. Employer Matching Gifts

Many companies match employee charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar (or more). If your employer offers a matching program, your $100 or $500 Giving Tuesday gift could automatically become $200 or $1,000 for supporting children and families served by Potential.

Check your company’s HR or benefits portal, submit our receipt, and notify us so we can complete any necessary employer verification.

Our Absolute Favorite Way to Give: Monthly Giving

While major year-end tax strategies provide critical surges of operational funding, consistent monthly gifts are the growth and impact backbone of Potential.

Autism treatments are not a one-day event. For a student learning to communicate with an augmentative device, or a young adult practicing daily living skills, consistency over weeks and months is what creates lasting independence.

Joining our monthly giving circle provides steady, predictable support that allows us to:

Retain our Top Workplace-awarded behavior technicians and therapists supported with ongoing mentorship.
Restock everyday sensory items and instructional tools without delay.
Maintain and expand our student facilities and transportation year-round.

Even $25, $50, or $100 per month creates reliable stability our clinicians and families can depend on every single month.

Put Your Year-End Plan Into Motion

Whether you are making an early Giving Tuesday contribution, looking to redirect your PA state tax liability through EITC, or starting a monthly gift to kick off our next 20 years, our team is here to assist.

To discuss EITC or stock transfers, please contact Maria Evan at mevan@potentialinc.org or call 888-AUTISM-0.
To make a one-time or monthly gift online, visit our secure giving portal at potentialinc.org/ways-to-give.

Disclaimer: Potential does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. The information provided here is for informational and educational purposes only. Tax laws vary by individual situation and are subject to change. Please consult your CPA, tax professional, financial advisor, or attorney before making decisions regarding charitable gifts, tax credits, or non-cash transfers.