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2026 year-end charitable giving checklist for donors

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The best year-end giving plans start before year-end. Historically, more than half of donor contributions to DAFgiving360^® accounts occur from October through December, making early planning especially important. Starting early gives you more time to clarify what matters to you, explore tax-efficient giving opportunities, and make thoughtful decisions about how and when to give. Use this checklist to prepare for smarter, more strategic charitable giving in 2026, including through a donor-advised fund (DAF).

1. Clarify your giving goals

Why this matters: Before making year-end giving decisions, take a moment to look back at what’s felt most meaningful about your giving. Reflecting on the past can help you focus this year’s giving on the causes you care about most.

Ask yourself:

Which causes or organizations did I support last year?
Where did I see (or expect) the greatest impact?
Which gifts felt most meaningful or aligned with my values?

Action: Choose three to five causes or organizations to prioritize and define one clear goal for your giving this year.

2. Review your tax and financial picture

Why this matters: New 2026 tax rules and your personal financial circumstances can influence how and when it makes sense to give. Reviewing your situation early can help you spot opportunities and make the most of available charitable tax benefits.

Think through:

Will I itemize deductions this year?
How do current charitable deduction rules apply to me?
Have there been changes in my income, investments, or other finances that could affect my giving?

Action: Identify one financial or tax factor that could influence your giving strategy and consider discussing it with your advisors.

Resource: Tax laws affecting charitable giving

3. Look beyond cash

Why this matters: Cash may be the simplest way to give, but it isn’t always the most tax-efficient. Depending on your circumstances, donating appreciated assets may offer tax advantages while helping you put more toward the causes you care about.

Explore whether you have:

Appreciated securities (stocks, mutual funds, ETFs)
Concentrated stock positions
Privately held business interests
Assets related to a business sale or other liquidity event
Inherited assets or other non-cash holdings

Action: Review your investment portfolio and other assets for opportunities to give something other than cash.

Resource: Contributing non-cash assets

4. Consider what’s changed in your life

Why this matters: Changes in your financial life can create new giving opportunities and may be a good reason to revisit your charitable plans.

Reflect on:

Changes in income or significant financial events
Retirement or other major life transitions
Investment portfolio changes or concentrated positions
Family or life changes that may influence your priorities

Action: Take stock of recent or upcoming changes and consider whether your giving strategy should change with them.

5. Bring family into the conversation

Why this matters: Giving can be a great way to connect around shared values. Involving family members can help you decide what matters most, make giving a shared experience, and build a lasting tradition of generosity.

Try asking:

Which causes matter most to our family right now?
What impact do we want our giving to have?
How can we make giving a shared experience?

Action: Start a conversation about your family’s charitable priorities, giving approach, and the legacy you want to build together.

Resource: Involving the family in giving

6. Make a year-end giving plan

Why this matters: Once you know what you want to accomplish, map out what needs to happen and when. This is especially important for non-cash gifts and grants from a donor-advised fund, which may have different deadlines and processing times.

Consider:

Contribution and grant recommendation deadlines
Processing timelines for complex gifts
Account setup or funding considerations (including donor-advised funds)
Any required documentation or approvals

Action: Create a simple timeline with key dates, next steps, and anything you need to complete before year-end.

Resource: Year-end giving guidelines

7. Think beyond year-end

Why this matters: A longer-term view can give you more flexibility in how you give. Explore strategies that can help you spread your giving over time while supporting both your charitable goals and broader financial objectives.

Ask yourself:

What impact do I want to create over the next several years?
How will I fund future giving?
How can I make charitable giving a regular part of my financial planning strategy?

Action: Identify one longer-term charitable goal for the next one to three years.

Are you ready for year-end giving?

I know which causes I want to support.
I’ve reflected on the impact of my past giving.
I’ve considered both cash and non-cash giving options.
I’ve thought about recent financial or life changes.
I’ve involved family members in the conversation.
I’ve created a year-end giving timeline.
I’ve considered my longer-term charitable goals.

If you checked most of these, you’re in a good position to approach year-end giving with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Have questions about your year-end giving strategy or how to make your charitable giving more tax-efficient?

If you’re a DAFgiving360 donor and have questions about contribution deadlines, asset eligibility, or your year-end giving strategy, contact Donor Services at 800-746-6216.

Exploring your options? Learn how a donor-advised fund can provide flexibility in your charitable giving at dafgiving360.org.

More practical guidance is on the way. Explore the DAFgiving360 Year-End Giving Resource Center for tools, insights, and resources, and watch for our upcoming year-end giving playbook and additional insights to help you plan, give, and make the greatest charitable impact.

When should I start planning year-end charitable giving?

Start as early as possible, ideally in the fall. Planning ahead gives you more time to consider different giving strategies, coordinate with your advisors, and meet contribution deadlines.

When might a donor-advised fund be a good fit?

A donor-advised fund may be worth considering if you want to receive the tax benefits for a charitable contribution now but more time to decide which charities to support and when. It can be particularly useful when making a larger contribution or contributing appreciated assets.

What are the most tax-efficient ways to give?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Depending on your circumstances, donating appreciated assets, concentrated stock positions, or other eligible non-cash assets may be more tax-efficient than giving cash. A donor-advised fund can also provide flexibility by allowing you to make a charitable contribution, potentially invest those assets for future charitable giving, and recommend grants over time. Consider discussing your options with a tax or financial advisor.

Do I need to itemize to benefit from a charitable tax deduction?

In most cases, yes. If you don’t itemize, you may not receive a federal tax deduction for charitable contributions (subject to current tax rules). A tax advisor can help clarify your situation.

2026 year-end charitable giving checklist for donors

7 smart steps to plan more impactful, tax-efficient charitable giving