Your Resource for Year-End Giving
The end of the year can be hectic, but it’s also a time to reflect on what’s important, and to give to the organizations and causes you think make the world a better place. NPT’s donor-advised funds can help you streamline your generosity. We handle the administration so you can spend time and energy on what matters most—deciding where and how to give.
We gathered these resources to help you focus and organize your charitable giving this season:
- Take Note of Contribution Deadlines. Learn how and when to contribute various types of assets so that they will be tax deductible in 2018.
- Review Grant Deadlines. Find information on when to recommend grants to ensure that they arrive to your favorite charities by the end of the year.
- Create a Giving Mission. Looking to narrow your charitable focus? We put together a guide to help you determine what you want your philanthropy to accomplish.
- Increase Your Impact. Consider investing your donor-advised fund assets in impact investments that are generating a positive social or environmental return, ensuring that your contributions are making a difference even before you grant them to your favorite charities.
- Understand Why Your Giving Matters. The History of Giving chronicles the evolution of philanthropy in the past 500 years and provides context for how today’s philanthropists continue to shape the giving landscape.
Contribution Deadlines
Refer to these important recommended dates to ensure that your contributions—of any type—are received by December 31. Following the guidelines will help to ensure that National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) receives and processes your contributions by the applicable deadline for treatment as a 2018 gift.
| WHAT TO DO | DEADLINE | |
|---|---|---|
| Check | Submit a check made payable to “National Philanthropic Trust” along with your Contribution Agreement. Note the name of your DAF in the memo section. | Must be postmarked by December 31 |
| Money Wire | Submit a transfer request to the financial institution. Find wire instructions here. | Initiate transfer by December 24 Must be received by December 31 |
| Stock | Submit a Letter of Authorization to the firm holding the stock, and send a copy to NPT along with your Contribution Agreement. For details see here. | Initiate transfer by December 24 Must be received by December 31 |
| Stock Certificates | Mail physical certificate and stock or bond power with medallion guarantee separately, along with your Contribution Agreement. | December 31 |
| Bonds | Submit a Letter of Authorization to the firm holding the stock, and send a copy to NPT along with your Contribution Agreement. For details see here. | Initiate transfer by December 24 Must be received by December 31 |
| Mutual Funds | Contact NPT as soon as possible at (888) 878-7900, and NPT will coordinate with the mutual fund company. Processing this type of asset can take 4-6 weeks to complete. | Initiate transfer by December 14 Must be received by December 31 |
| Special Securities, Real Estate and Closely Held Stock | Contact NPT at (888) 878-7900 for assistance. | Initiate due diligence as early as possible Must be received by December 31 |
One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to share it.
—Maya Angelou
Need help strategizing grants from your DAF or a reminder about what your DAF allows you to do? Read our Tips for Managing Your Charitable Giving.
Grant Deadlines
Many of your favorite charities will be making their year-end appeals soon. Follow these deadlines to ensure that your support will be counted this year.
| WHAT TO DO | DEADLINE | |
|---|---|---|
| To ensure that the qualified charity of your choice receives their grant in 2018: | Enter your grant recommendation online in DonorView following these instructions, or email or fax a completed Grant Recommendation form to NPT. | Enter grant recommendation by 5pm on December 21. Grants will be mailed on or before December 28. |
| To ensure that the qualified charity of your choice receives their grant early in 2019, with grant approval in 2018: | Enter your grant recommendation online in DonorView following these instructions, or email or fax a completed Grant Recommendation form to NPT. | Enter grant recommendation by 5pm on December 25. Grants will be approved in 2018, and mailed on or before January 2, 2019. |
Notes on Tax Strategy
- A distribution from your IRA to a DAF does NOT count as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
- The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 doubled the size of the standard deduction, which may affect your ability to itemize your charitable gifts. If you would like to itemize in 2018, consider making a larger gift to your DAF this year, and granting out the funds over the next several years.
- The most tax-advantageous charitable contributions don’t necessarily come from a checkbook. If you have appreciated securities, complex or illiquid assets that you’re interested in donating, contact one of our Regional Directors for guidance.
For tips on tax-efficient uses of your DAF, visit our Tax Advantages page.
Extended Year-End Hours
To support your year-end giving, we are pleased to extend our hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST
These hours will be in effect through December 31st, except on the following special days:
Dec. 24: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST
Dec. 25: CLOSED
Additional evening and weekend hours are available by appointment. Please contact us at (888) 878-7900 or npt@nptrust.org with any questions or to schedule an appointment. This season and always, we are proud to be your partner in giving.
