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Year-end giving before December 31

Want your gift to count for this tax year? It must be postmarked or processed by December 31. Here's how to make sure that happens — including last-minute options.

Fastest paths (for last-minute giving)

  1. Credit/debit card via PayPal — donation processed immediately, receipt by email same day. Donate now →
  2. Bank transfer (ACH) — typically 1-3 business days. Initiate by Dec 28 to be safe.
  3. Stock transfer — broker must execute by Dec 31. Initiate by Dec 20 to be safe.
  4. Donor-Advised Fund grant — DAF must approve + send by Dec 31. Initiate by Dec 15 to be safe.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution

Age 70½+ donors can move up to $105,000 (2026 limit) directly from IRA to a 501(c)(3). This satisfies your RMD without counting as income. Initiate with your IRA custodian by Dec 15.

Mail-in by Dec 31

Checks postmarked Dec 31 or earlier count for the tax year. Use USPS with a postmark — overnight courier dates from carriers may not count.

Employer match

If your employer matches charitable giving, submit your match request before Dec 31 — though employer processing may extend into January for booking purposes.

Donate to Feed America → · Tax rules in detail