As another year draws to a close, many of us are reflecting on how we are showing up for the world and our communities. The end of the year is also the perfect time to make tax-savvy donations that benefit meaningful organizations and your long-term financial wellbeing.

If you choose to give back this year, here are five smart year-end giving strategies that will help you maximize your generosity and potentially unlock significant tax benefits:*

1. Donate appreciated stock.

Do you have stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that increased in value this year? If so, you could turn those gains into a double win! By donating appreciated stocks, you can skip the capital gains tax and maximize the impact of your gift.

Why I think it’s great:

• Unlock a tax deduction: When you donate stocks you’ve held for at least one year, you receive a deduction for their full market value—not just what you paid for them.
• Do more with less: When you donate appreciated stocks directly to charity, your gift can be up to 20% larger because you avoid the taxes you’d incur from selling and donating the cash.

Want to learn more about donating appreciated stock? GlobalGiving utilizes FreeWill’s intuitive step-by-step web tool so individuals and financial advisors can easily give appreciated assets.

2. Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

If you’re required to take a mandatory distribution from your 401(k) this year, why not channel that money into something good? With a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), you can transfer funds directly from your IRA to a qualified charity without it counting as taxable income. Just keep in mind that QCDs cannot go into a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF); they must go directly to the nonprofit to qualify for the tax benefit.

Why I think it’s great:

• Tax relief with a purpose: The amount donated through a QCD is excluded from your taxable income, potentially lowering your overall tax bill while giving back.
• Make It count: Why not transform the mandatory withdrawal into a powerful gift for the change you want to see in the world? It’s a smart year-end bonus for both you and the causes you care about!

So, when that 401(k) distribution comes knocking at the end of the year, think of it as your ticket to supporting a cause you love—while also bringing down that tax bill.

3. Put money into a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF).

Having a (DAF) is like having a piggy bank for the change you wish to see! You can contribute cash, stocks, or other assets now, and decide later which causes you want to support.

Why I think it’s great:

• Grow your generosity: When you contribute to a DAF, your funds are invested in ways that allow them to grow over time—giving you the chance to grow your donation while finding the right causes to support.
• Immediate tax benefit: You become eligible for a tax benefit as soon as you donate to your DAF.

DAFs are the perfect way to get an immediate tax boost while letting your generosity grow over time! Already have a DAF and feel ready to make a grant recommendation? Don’t wait too much longer or you may miss the end-of-year deadline! Check with your DAF sponsor for deadlines today.

4. Make an online credit card donation.

Making an online credit card donation is one of the quickest and easiest ways to give. In just minutes, you can send money out the door and into the hands of trusted, vetted nonprofits doing meaningful work in their communities.

Why I think great:

• Receive a tax deduction: You may be eligible for a tax deduction depending on how and where you give. Donations to GlobalGiving are tax deductible for US taxpayers and all projects have been pre-qualified for 501c3 equivalency status.
• Give fast to those who need it most: Online credit card donations allow you to make a real difference in an instant——getting your support to those who need it most, right when they need it.

To learn more about how to ensure your online credit card donation is eligible for tax deduction, check out our guide, “Everything You Need To Know About Your Tax-Deductible Donation.”

5. Give the gift of giving with the GlobalGiving Gift Card.

The year-end season is also the holiday season—so take the opportunity to give back while celebrating with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or seeking ways to support the causes close to your heart, now is the ideal time to make a meaningful impact.

Why I think great:

• Get a tax benefit: When you purchase a gift card, you will receive a tax receipt and may be eligible for a tax benefit.
• People love them: Finding meaningful gifts for all the people in your life during one of the busiest seasons of the year is no easy task! But there are many reasons the GlobalGiving Gift Card has become such a fan-favorite among our donors.

Find resources and organizations you can trust.

As you consider your year-end giving strategy, consider reaching out to an established organization that can help you maximize your tax benefits. At GlobalGiving, all donations are tax-deductible, and you can choose from thousands of vetted organizations. You can explore key topics in our learning resources for donors, or contact us directly via email or phone.

Plan ahead, and you’ll do the most good for the world, and for your wallet.

Ready to make a lasting impact? Schedule a conversation with one of our trusted giving advisors to explore how smart planning can help you support nonprofits worldwide—and earn tax benefits along the way.

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*Like everyone at GlobalGiving, our lawyers are thankful that you took the time to visit GlobalGiving.org. Our lawyers also wanted you to know that GlobalGiving does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors for advice on tax matters.