For many individuals and families, the months leading up to the holiday season are a time of generosity and reflection. It is also a time when charitable organizations often receive a significant portion of their annual donations. Whether your motivation is supporting a cause, creating a family tradition, or incorporating charitable giving strategies into your financial plan, planning charitable gifts before the holiday season can provide additional time to evaluate options and make thoughtful decisions.

Start with Your Giving Goals

Before selecting a giving strategy, it can be helpful to clarify what you hope to accomplish.

Questions to consider include:

  • Which organizations or causes are most important to me?
  • Do I plan to make a one-time gift or ongoing contributions?
  • Would I like to involve family members in giving decisions?
  • Are there specific projects or initiatives I want to support?

Having clear objectives can help guide decisions about how and when to make charitable contributions.

Cash Donations Remain a Common Approach

For many donors, direct cash gifts remain the simplest method of charitable giving.

Contributions can often be made through:

  • Online donations
  • Checks
  • Recurring monthly gifts
  • Workplace giving programs

When making cash donations, it is important to maintain appropriate documentation for tax reporting purposes.

Consider Donating Appreciated Securities

Individuals who own investments held in taxable accounts may wish to explore donating appreciated securities.

In some situations, contributing appreciated investments directly to a qualified charitable organization may offer advantages compared to selling the investment first and donating the proceeds.

Because tax implications vary based on individual circumstances, donors should consult qualified tax professionals before implementing this strategy.

Explore Donor-Advised Funds

A donor-advised fund (DAF)1 is another charitable giving vehicle that some individuals use as part of their philanthropic planning.

A DAF may allow donors to:

  • Make contributions during a particular tax year
  • Recommend grants to charitable organizations over time
  • Consolidate charitable giving activities
  • Involve family members in future giving decisions

For individuals who regularly support multiple organizations, a DAF may provide additional flexibility and organization.

Qualified Charitable Distributions for Eligible Individuals

Individuals who meet applicable age requirements may be eligible to make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)2 from certain retirement accounts.

A QCD allows funds to be distributed directly from an eligible IRA to a qualified charitable organization, subject to IRS rules and limitations.

For some retirees, this may become part of a broader charitable giving strategy. Professional tax guidance is often appropriate when evaluating eligibility and potential implications.

Charitable Giving Strategies: Create a Family Giving Tradition

Charitable giving can also provide opportunities for family engagement and education.

Some families choose to:

  • Volunteer together
  • Select organizations as a group
  • Establish annual giving goals
  • Include children or grandchildren in donation decisions

These conversations may help younger generations understand the importance of philanthropy and thoughtful financial decision-making.

Review Charitable Giving as Part of Your Financial Plan 

Giving strategies are often most effective when considered within the context of a broader financial plan.

Areas worth reviewing may include:

  • Annual giving goals
  • Cash flow needs
  • Tax considerations
  • Retirement income planning
  • Estate planning objectives

Integrating charitable giving into your overall strategy may help ensure that donations align with both personal values and financial priorities.

Keep Accurate Records

Proper documentation is an important part of charitable giving.

Consider maintaining records such as:

  • Donation receipts
  • Acknowledgment letters
  • Records of non-cash contributions
  • Documentation related to donated securities

Good recordkeeping can simplify tax preparation and help verify charitable contributions when needed.

Giving with Purpose

Charitable giving is about more than financial transactions. It reflects personal values, community involvement, and support for causes that matter.

By planning charitable contributions before the holiday season, donors have additional time to evaluate available options and determine which strategies align with their goals. Whether through cash gifts, appreciated securities, DAFs, or other approaches, thoughtful planning can help create a charitable giving strategy that reflects both financial considerations and personal priorities.

Sources:

  • [1] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/donoradvisedfund.asp
  • [2] https://www.investopedia.com/qualified-charitable-distribution-qcd-5409491