Your Year-End Giving Checklist: Make the Most of Your Generosity

As the end of the year approaches, you may find yourself making lists, checking off to-dos and thinking about what still needs to happen before December 31.

For many people, charitable giving is part of that list.

Whether you support the same nonprofit every year, recently discovered a new cause, or are considering how to make a lasting difference in your community, year-end is a good opportunity to revisit your charitable goals.

And while December 31 is an important deadline for many charitable gifts, thoughtful giving is about more than making a donation before the calendar changes.

Here are seven things to consider as you make your year-end giving plans.

1. Start with what matters to you.

Before deciding how much to give or where to direct your gift, think about the organizations and causes that are important to you.

Perhaps there's a nonprofit you've supported for years. Maybe you've seen a new need emerge in your community or heard a story that inspired you to get involved.

Consider what you want your generosity to accomplish. Is there a particular program you'd like to support? A community need you want to help address? An organization whose mission you want to strengthen?

Starting with your priorities can help you make giving decisions that feel meaningful and intentional.

2. Don't overlook the impact of a smaller gift.

You don't have to make a major gift to make a difference.

A $50, $100 or $250 donation can help an organization continue its work. And when many people choose to give, those contributions can add up to meaningful support for local nonprofits.

There's also a new consideration for 2026. Taxpayers who don't itemize deductions may be eligible to deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash charitable contributions, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. Certain gifts, including contributions to donor-advised funds, do not qualify.

Tax benefits shouldn't be the only reason to give, but understanding the options available can help you make informed decisions.

Most importantly, remember that every donor has a role to play in strengthening the organizations and communities they care about.

3. Explore different ways to give.

Writing a check or making an online donation may be the most familiar ways to support a nonprofit, but they aren't the only options.

Depending on your circumstances and the organization you're supporting, you may be able to give through:

• Cash gifts: A direct way to support an organization's current needs.

• Appreciated stock: Donating eligible securities may offer tax advantages compared with selling the assets and donating the proceeds.

• Donor-advised funds: Recommend grants to eligible nonprofits from a charitable fund you've already established.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): If you're age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a charitable gift directly from your IRA.

• Other assets: Real estate, grain or other property may also provide charitable giving opportunities.

Not every nonprofit is equipped to receive every type of gift directly. That's one way GMCF can help. Our team works with donors and organizations to explore charitable giving options and connect resources with community needs.

4. Think beyond this year's gift.

When you support a nonprofit you care about, you're helping make its work possible today. But have you thought about how you might support that same mission in the future?

Legacy giving offers an opportunity to continue supporting charitable causes beyond your lifetime.

That could mean including a nonprofit in your will or trust, naming a charitable organization as a beneficiary of an IRA, or other eligible account, or establishing a charitable fund that reflects your long-term goals.

You don't have to make every decision today. Year-end can simply be a good time to start thinking about what you want your generosity to accomplish in the years ahead.

5. Consider supporting an endowment.

Many nonprofits have endowment funds designed to provide ongoing support for their missions.

Unlike a gift intended to meet an immediate need, an endowment gift helps build a source of charitable resources that can support an organization over time.

If there's a nonprofit you care deeply about, consider asking whether it has an endowment fund and how you might contribute.

Endowment giving isn't reserved for major donors. Gifts of different sizes can help build long-term resources, and a future gift through your estate plan may also be an option.

It's another way to support the work you value today while helping create opportunities for future generations.

6. Have a conversation with your favorite nonprofit.

Sometimes the best way to understand how you can help is simply to ask.

Reach out to an organization you support and find out what's happening. What opportunities are ahead? What challenges are they navigating? Where could additional resources make the greatest difference?

You may discover a program that aligns with your interests, an opportunity to volunteer, or a need you hadn't previously considered.

And remember, generosity isn't limited to financial contributions. Your time, expertise, connections, and advocacy can also be valuable.

The relationships you build with the organizations you support can make your giving more meaningful for everyone involved.

7. Keep the connection going after December 31.

Your charitable giving doesn't have to end when the year does.

As you look ahead to 2027, consider how you want to stay involved with the organizations and causes you care about.

You might establish a recurring gift, attend an event, volunteer, learn more about a nonprofit's work, or explore a longer-term charitable giving plan.

You can also revisit your giving priorities throughout the year. Community needs change, organizations grow, and new opportunities emerge.

Staying connected helps you understand where your generosity can make a difference next.

Your generosity can make a difference beyond year-end.

Year-end giving is an opportunity to reflect on what matters to you and take meaningful steps to support it.

Whether you're making your first charitable gift, continuing a tradition of giving, or considering how to leave a lasting legacy, every decision begins with something you care about.

At the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, our mission is to build relationships between donors and community needs. We work with individuals, families, nonprofits, and professional advisors to explore charitable giving opportunities that reflect donors' goals and strengthen our communities.

As you make your year-end checklist, consider one more question: What do you want your generosity to make possible?

If you'd like to explore your charitable giving options, the GMCF team is here to help you start the conversation.

This article is for educational purposes and is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. Consult your professional advisors about your individual circumstances.