Person using laptop and earphones on city bench.
Personal finance

Year-end charitable giving tips to consider

Advice on end-of-year charitable giving—ways to give back, donor-advised funds, and tax deduction suggestions for maximizing your impact.
8 minute read   •   June 18, 2025
success

You have saved this article
Personal finance
Wealth management
Article
Taxes
Page
Charitable giving
Headshot of Vanguard Chief Strategic Planning Officer Rebecca Moffett

President of Vanguard Charitable

Headshot of Vanguard Chief Strategic Planning Officer Rebecca Moffett

Rebecca Moffett

Rebecca Moffett is president of Vanguard Charitable, a national donor-advised fund provider and one of the nation's top grantmakers. Thousands of donors have entrusted Vanguard Charitable with their charitable goals and, since its inception, have recommended more than $22 billion in grants to nonprofits across the country, making Vanguard Charitable one of the largest grantmaking organizations in the United States. As a longtime donor-advised fund leader and advocate, Rebecca focuses on furthering the benefits of giving for donors, nonprofit partners, and communities around the globe. She earned her bachelor’s degree and M.B.A. from Saint Joseph’s University.

As the president of Vanguard Charitable, I have the privilege of witnessing what thoughtful, strategic giving can do for nonprofits. In the face of economic and charitable uncertainty, our donors have continued to use their donor-advised funds to support a wide variety of causes.

As we grapple with challenges to the nonprofit sector, you may wonder how best to help while also supporting your financial goals. Making a significant charitable gift before the end of the year is a great way to help your favorite charities while enjoying the benefits of giving. 

Be aware of any deadlines

If you’re looking to give at year-end while enjoying the tax benefits of giving, it’s important that you keep any deadlines in mind. In order for you to deduct any charitable gift from this year’s taxes, your gift must typically be received by December 31 of the same year.

To make your tax-deductible donation, ensure you’re giving to a qualified charity (generally any 501(c)(3) charitable organization) and that you learn the charity’s deadlines for donations. Deadlines may differ by your gift’s delivery method or asset type, so remember to be specific when determining your deadlines. That way, you can ensure your gift is supporting your overall tax strategy.

Don’t forget about complex assets

You may immediately think of cash when considering your options for year-end giving, but both you and your favorite charity can get more benefits when you donate other assets.

For example, when you give an appreciated asset directly to charity, you won’t have to pay capital gains taxes on that asset, and neither will the charity when the organization sells the asset.

By reviewing your full portfolio, you can tap into more giving options and make strategic charitable giving part of your holistic financial strategy. If you have appreciated or illiquid assets you’d like to give to charity before the end of the year, we can help you directly donate a variety of complex assets. 

Review your long-term tax strategy

To get the most out of your year-end giving, ensure you’re aligning your tax strategy with your charitable gifts. For example, you’ll need to itemize your deductions rather than taking the standard tax deduction.

Additionally, there are limits on how much you can deduct based on your adjusted gross income. However, you can carry over excess charitable giving for up to 5 years. So rather than just focusing on the current year, consider how a charitable gift at the end of the year could bring benefits over several years.

Want to see how much you could save on your taxes this year? Try our Tax-Savings Calculator.

Consider a giving vehicle to support your philanthropy

Year-end isn’t particularly known for being a calm time of year. And with so much going on, you may know what you want to give, but not exactly where to direct your gift.

With a donor-advised fund (DAF), you can take advantage of the immediate tax benefits of giving, invest the charitable assets, and then recommend grants when you know exactly where you’d like funds to be directed. It’s also easy to get started with a DAF before the December 31 deadline, whereas other giving vehicles, such as private foundations and charitable trusts, require more time and administrative support. 

Want more help with your strategic year-end giving?

As we approach the end-of-year charitable giving deadline and consider the pressing needs of our world today, I continue to believe that philanthropy changes the world one life at a time. And if you want to make a charitable gift part of your year-end tradition, you don’t need to do it alone.

At Vanguard Charitable, our mission is to maximize philanthropy and increase its impact over time. We’re here to be your partner in charitable giving, and we look forward to helping you make your impact on the world.

Explore Vanguard Charitable giving

Most Viewed

Retirement

Backdoor Roth IRA What it is and how to set it up

If you are a high-income earner, a Backdoor Roth IRA may be a good retirement investment option for you. Learn what it is and how to set up this type of retirement plan.
Article
IRAs
Retirement

Roth vs. traditional IRAs: A comparison

Compare Roth IRAs vs traditional IRAs to learn the key differences in income requirements, rules for contributions and withdrawals, and tax implications.
Education
IRAs
Retirement

2025 Roth IRA income and contribution limits

Education
IRAs
Personal finance

What to do with an inheritance

Receiving an inheritance—whether a small sum or a large windfall—can be a life-changing event. When a loved one passes away, it's easy to feel the pressure to make big decisions immediately—but you don't have to. Once you've taken the time to breathe, grieve, and heal, you can focus on what to consider when handling your inheritance. When you're ready, here's a guide that can help.
Article
Estate planning
Retirement

A guide to retirement withdrawal strategies

Find the optimal retirement withdrawal strategy to maximize spending and savings.
Article
Living in retirement
Retirement

RMD rules for inherited IRAs

The IRA you're inheriting comes with a few responsibilities. Here's a rundown of what you need to know.
Education
IRAs

The information provided is not intended to be relied upon in lieu of tax or legal advice. Please consult with a tax advisor or attorney for information related to your specific situation.
 

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

We recommend you consult a qualified tax advisor about your individual situation.

Vanguard's advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc. ("VAI"), a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company ("VNTC"), a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company.

The services provided to clients will vary based upon the service selected, including management, fees, eligibility, and access to an advisor. Find VAI's Form CRS and each program's advisory brochure here for an overview.

VAI and VNTC are subsidiaries of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and affiliates of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Neither VAI, VNTC, nor its affiliates guarantee profits or protection from losses.