The little-known way seniors can deduct gifts to charities
(Washington Post Business)

If you are 70 ½ and older, you can use your IRA to make tax-advantaged charitable contributions, known as Qualified Charitable Distributions. The taxable income generated by taking the money out of your IRA is offset by subtracting the QCD from your reported retirement income. QCDs are nowhere as well-known as they should be. Solicitation season is a great time to start thinking about them.