Bear markets aren’t much fun for anyone. But that doesn’t mean your charitable giving commitments have to be put on hold. If you are like many donors, you're still looking for ways to support the causes you care about most.

Remember, not every stock is down. It’s still incredibly tax-efficient to donate highly-appreciated stock to the PACF. When you give appreciated stock held for more than one year (a long-term capital asset) to your Donor Advised Fund or other type of fund, instead of selling it outright, the capital gains tax is avoided. Plus, marketable securities are typically deductible at their fair market value, further helping your overall income tax situation.

Earlier this year, Beth and Bill White, donated appreciated stock to the PACF to help grow the new Lewis County Community Foundation Fund, inspiring others to consider supporting the Foundation's work with a similar gift. “Through the Foundation, we can make a meaningful gift to the community that will give back much more than we initially invested,” said Bill White.

Don’t forget about making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA, either. You're still required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your IRA even in a down market. If you’ve reached the age of 70 ½, a QCD from your IRA to the PACF is another tax-friendly gift option.