It’s October, and you’re likely about to start getting year-end fundraising letters from us and other non-profits. It’s the perfect time to get your ducks in a row – that is, to get organized – about your year-end giving!
Here are some tips from the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends to help you support your favorite organizations this year.
Figure out your giving philosophy. There are a lot of non-profits that need support. How do you decide who to give to? Ask yourself: what do I care about the most? Maybe it’s organizations that support children, arts and culture, local Santa Clarans, or maybe it’s something else. Knowing what kind of causes you want to support can help you decide who you’ll donate to and/or volunteer with.
Research ways to support your non-profits. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Have some time but not much money? Volunteer!
- Do you want to donate, but the year-end time frame is a little too spendy? Set up a monthly donation to have that same impact, but spread out over the year.
- Is part of your compensation package in stock? Consider donating a share or two (or ten!) instead of cash.
- Are you required to withdraw a certain amount from your IRA? You can donate directly from your IRA in many cases.
- Have you heard about possible tax changes coming down the line in 2026, and want to set up your donations going forward? Talk to your financial advisor about setting up a Donor Advised Fund, or DAF.
- Is there an old car or other vehicle taking up space in your garage or driveway? Many non-profits will work with you to have it towed away and sold, with the proceeds going to the non-profit.
Take some possible next steps.
- Visit the websites of the non-profits you want to support. You can learn about volunteer opportunities, how to donate, what their brokerage information is for stock donations, and answer any other questions you might have.
- Talk to your financial advisor or tax professional to see what the best non-cash ways are for you to donate.
- Set a budget for how much you’re going to give overall, much like you might set a budget for how much to spend on holiday presents.
- Mark Giving Tuesday – December 2 – on your calendar. It’s fun to be a part of a day when everyone is giving back to their communities!
We hope this has been helpful for you! Please bookmark this post to refer to it if you need.
Thank you in advance for supporting us and the other causes you care about this holiday season!