CONSIDERING YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIVING?

As we get closer to the end of the year, like many people, you may be considering your charitable contributions. If you wish to include the RAF, we are standing by to help. There are some new tax laws you may want to consider, put in place by H.R. 1, better known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”.

Universal Deduction
Starting in 2026, donors can deduct up to $1,000 (individuals) or $2,000 (couples) for cash charitable contributions, even without itemizing. Most taxpayers who take the standard tax deduction are affected by this change. This means that starting in 2026, your gift will qualify for a standard tax deduction, even if you don’t itemize.

High-income Itemizers
In 2026, major donors won’t receive credit for the first chunk of their giving, and their tax savings will drop from 37 cents to 35 cents per donated dollar.

The RAF is fortunate to have a deep bench of professional financial planning talent with several planned giving ideas to help you enjoy the advantage of tax benefits, while helping the RAF. These ideas will work for any of your favorite charities, and we invite you to learn more.

A great way to start is to contact RAF Texas/Montana Ambassador Steve Maus, CLU, MSFS, and Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy. Here’s how to reach him: smaus@theraf.org.

The RAF advises all parties to consult their own tax professionals to address their specific tax concerns or obligations.

Submitted on October 15, 2025

Posted in News

ROB KEANE

February 24, 2026

FLORIDA AMBASADOR

HOWIE BOHL

February 24, 2026

CALIFORNIA AMBASSADOR

RAF AWARDS GRANT FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF HCRC

February 24, 2026

Oregon RAF Liaison Bill Ables has been awarded a $5,000 RAF grant to retain RAF membership in and support the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC) for the next five years. The HCRC was organized in 2016 at the request of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation as a framework for the various recreational user groups to collaborate with the US Forest Service within the 652,488-acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Ables, a past Director and current member of the group, explained that HCRC membership is a cross-section of user groups from both the private and commercial sectors, including river rafters and jet boaters, backpackers, horse packers, aviators, and governmental management agencies. Providing ongoing support ensures continued aviation representation. The rugged Snake River canyon region hugs the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, and includes nine backcountry airstrips within the Recreational Area. All are maintained by volunteer aviation groups in collaboration with the USFS: Cache Creek, Salmon Bar, Dug Bar, Temperance Creek, Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Lord Flat, Memaloose, and Big Bar. “Our support of HCRC, combined with the other involved aviation groups, ensures ongoing maintenance and improvements at each of these nine airstrips. It benefits general aviation by preserving access to enjoy the beauty of the Hells Canyon area, which directly speaks to the Mission of the RAF,” Ables said. For more information on Dug Bar, Cache Creek, Big Bar, and Memaloose, see the Airfield Guide . Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Temperance Creek, and Salmon Bar are not listed in the Airfield Guide at this time. Submitted February 24, 2026