As we approach the end of 2025 and enter a season of gratitude and giving, many of us are considering ways to show support to the organizations that have had a measurable impact on our lives. For many of you, Semester at Sea is at the very top of this list. As an organization that changes lives with the help of your support, both at an individual and a global community scale, we are so appreciative of any consideration you may give to Semester at Sea in your year-end philanthropy plans.
Often, we give to organizations in the simplest terms – usually a cash gift made through an online portal via credit card or bank check, transferring money directly from our personal bank or credit account to the organization. But, did you know there are other ways to give that have huge benefits to both your tax situation and to the receiving organization?
While they may appear more complex at first glance, alternate forms of giving, such as stock gifts or retirement distribution gifts, are not only simple but also can be even more impactful and beneficial to both you and SAS! And, if you make these types of gifts – or a gift of any kind – by the time the clock runs out in 2025, your giving will have substantially more impact (and tax benefits to both you and Semester at Sea) than if you gave in 2026?
To help break down this topic, we spoke with Semester at Sea Fall 2014 alum, Certified Financial Planner®, and IRS Enrolled Agent, Austin Lastinger. Austin works as Vice President and an Investment Counselor for Bailard Wealth Management, and, as a SAS alum, encouraged all SAS donors to consider a few alternate methods of giving – all of which are surprisingly straightforward and incredibly powerful.
Most donations to Semester at Sea currently come in as cash. But, as Austin explained, “oftentimes, the most effective way to give from a tax perspective is not via cash.” Below are two easy strategies that may allow you to make a greater gift, without increasing your out-of-pocket cost.
1. Donors of all ages: consider giving appreciated stock to Semester at Sea.
If you own long-term (held for more than one year) stock that has increased in value (appreciated stock), you can donate and transfer it directly to Semester at Sea instead of selling it first.
Using a simple example: if you bought stock for $100 and it’s now worth $250, donating it directly may allow you to claim an income tax deduction based on the full $250 fair-market value (if you itemize/meet IRS requirements). Because Semester at Sea is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the organization can sell the stock without paying any tax, reaping the benefit from the value of the stock and putting this to great immediate use for our voyages and program.
From the donor perspective, there are also major benefits from giving appreciated stock directly to Semester at Sea:
- You may be able to deduct the full fair-market value of the donation if you itemize.
- You avoid paying capital gains tax (which would be due if you sold the stock yourself before donating).
- And, you keep your cash available. In other words, you can support Semester at Sea without reducing your liquid cash, using assets you already own, saving the money you rely on for day-to-day expenses or future financial plans.
This is an easy entry point and could benefit anyone of any age who has some sort of investment account and is making charitable gifts.
As Nathan Aragon, Director of Philanthropy for Semester at Sea, shared, “Many people may not realize how easy and impactful these types of gifts can be. It’s a win for the donor and a win for Semester at Sea, and the process is much more straightforward than most people expect.”
To begin a stock gift, donors can visit the Semester at Sea Ways to Give page, scroll to “Stocks, Bonds & Securities,” and follow the transfer instructions. If any questions come up, or if you’re considering a larger or more complex gift, contacting Nathan directly is encouraged.
2. If you’re 70½ or older: Consider a donation from your retirement account to Semester at Sea.
Donors age 70½ or older can give directly from their traditional IRA using what’s called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Here’s why it matters: normally, when retirement funds are withdrawn, they’re taxed as income. But if you donate those funds directly to Semester at Sea, in 2025, up to $108,000 per eligible individual may be transferred via QCD (and is generally excluded from taxable income if IRS requirements are met).
This allows you to fulfill your charitable intentions more efficiently, especially if you’re required by the IRS to withdraw a portion of your retirement account each year. Instead of withdrawing, paying tax, and then making a gift, you can transfer the funds straight to Semester at Sea.
Unlike appreciated stock, IRA assets don’t generate capital gains, but they are normally taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn. A QCD allows you to support Semester at Sea without increasing your taxable income and can often satisfy some or all of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
This process follows a similar principle to stock giving: sending funds directly from your IRA to the organization (rather than withdrawing them first) prevents the distribution from being taxable, allowing more of your money to support our programs – in short, amplifying your impact.
Why Giving to SAS Before December 31, 2025 Matters
Alongside these alternate ways of giving, a gift timing factor is coming into play this year. Right now, many financial professionals across the country are advising people with philanthropic intentions to accelerate their giving and donate to organizations now, before the clock turns to January 1, 2026. Why? Because a recent federal update, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), takes effect in 2026 and will change how some charitable deductions work.
Here’s the scoop: if you itemize deductions on your taxes, starting in 2026, you’ll need to donate at least 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) before receiving any charitable tax deduction. For example, someone with an $80,000 adjusted gross income would need to donate more than $400 before any deduction becomes allowable. In 2025, for taxpayers who itemize, charitable gifts are still deductible without this new floor, subject to existing IRS limits.
According to Austin, many donors across the country are choosing to make 2–3 years’ worth of donations to their favorite organizations, since the tax deduction parameters will change in 2026 and the benefits of giving in 2025 are markedly more pronounced.
“Everything given in 2025, whether cash or through a more strategic method like stock or retirement assets, carries more impact than it will in 2026,” Nathan added.
And, giving now not only maximizes the tax benefits – it helps Semester at Sea support its life-changing voyages and student experiences even sooner.
Other Giving Methods to Consider
Some donors also utilize Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) to front-load giving before the 2026 tax changes take effect. According to Nathan, “Front-loading gifts through vehicles like a DAF can be hugely beneficial this year, particularly for donors who already use them.” To learn more about DAFs and how to give to Semester at Sea in this way, please visit our DAF page here.
The Impact of Your Gift
Whether you’re donating stock, supporting through a retirement account, or making a traditional gift, your generosity helps sustain transformative educational experiences across the globe. We at Semester at Sea are grateful for your gifts of any kind, and we hope you will consider some of these forms of giving, which not only provide immediate benefits in our mission to provide “journeys of discovery that spark bold solutions to global challenges,” but often provide tax benefits to you, our valued donors.
Want to Talk Through Your Options?
More advanced strategies are available and may be worth exploring directly with the SAS Advancement team. If you’re unsure where to begin with a stock or retirement gift, or prefer to discuss giving options, please email Nathan Aragon, Director of Philanthropy for Semester at Sea, directly for assistance at naragon@isevoyages.org.
Your gift, especially if given before December 31, 2025, can go further than ever to support the global education, communities of discovery, and positive change that Semester at Sea makes possible!
Note: This information is intended for general educational purposes only and is not tax advice. Individual circumstances may vary, and donors should consult their tax, legal, or financial advisors to determine how IRS rules apply to their specific situation and before making any giving decisions.
