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Turn Your IRA Distribution Into Meals for Michigan Families

Turn Your IRA Distribution Into Meals for Michigan Families

If you are age 70½ or older, your IRA may offer a tax-efficient way to support Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger through a Qualified Charitable Distribution, commonly called a QCD.

A QCD allows an eligible IRA owner to transfer funds directly from an IRA to a qualified charitable organization. Instead of receiving the distribution personally and then making a donation, the funds move directly from the IRA custodian to the charity.

For hunters, conservationists and community members who want to leave a meaningful impact, a QCD can turn retirement savings into nutritious meals for Michigan families in need.

What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution?

A Qualified Charitable Distribution is a direct transfer from an eligible IRA to a qualifying charity.

To make a QCD, you must be at least 70½ years old on the date of the distribution. For 2026, an eligible IRA owner may exclude up to $111,000 in qualifying distributions from taxable income. This limit applies separately to each eligible spouse with an IRA. The annual limit is indexed for inflation and may change in future years. IRS Notice 2025-67

Although the QCD eligibility age is 70½, required minimum distributions generally begin later. A qualifying QCD can count toward all or part of your required minimum distribution for the year.

Why Consider a QCD?https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A QCD may provide advantages that are different from making a conventional cash donation:

  • The qualifying distribution is generally excluded from taxable income.
  • It may satisfy part or all of your required minimum distribution.
  • It can provide a tax benefit even if you claim the standard deduction rather than itemizing.
  • Keeping the distribution out of adjusted gross income may be beneficial because adjusted gross income affects several other tax calculations.

You cannot also claim a charitable deduction for the amount excluded from income as a QCD. The principal federal tax benefit is the exclusion from taxable income—not an additional deduction.

How Your Gift Helps

Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger connects hunters, participating wild-game processors and food-assistance organizations to provide nutritious ground venison to people throughout Michigan.

A QCD can help us:

  • Reimburse participating processors for preparing donated deer
  • Deliver high-quality ground venison to food banks and community pantries
  • Recruit processors in communities where donation opportunities are limited
  • Expand awareness of responsible venison donation
  • Provide more meals to Michigan families facing food insecurity

Your retirement savings can become something immediate and tangible: professionally processed protein on the table for a neighbor who needs it.

How to Make a QCD

Begin by contacting your IRA custodian or financial advisor and requesting a Qualified Charitable Distribution payable directly to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger.

The distribution must be transferred directly from the IRA to the charity to qualify. Do not withdraw the money personally and then write a separate check.

Because custodians have different procedures, processing times and documentation requirements, we recommend starting early—especially if you want the gift completed before the end of the calendar year.

Before initiating the transfer, please email us at contact@sportsmenagainsthunger.org with the subject line QCD. We will provide the information needed to properly direct and acknowledge your gift.

Make Your Retirement Distribution Matter

A required distribution does not have to be simply another taxable withdrawal. It can help transform donated wild game into hundreds or even thousands of nutritious meals for Michigan families.

If you are considering a QCD, speak with your IRA custodian and tax advisor to determine whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. Then contact contact@sportsmenagainsthunger.org with the subject line QCD to begin the process.

Together, we can turn Michigan’s outdoor heritage into meaningful help for neighbors across our state.

Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger does not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Donors should consult their IRA custodian and professional advisors regarding their eligibility and the tax treatment of a proposed gift. QCD rules are explained in IRS Publication 590-B.