Compare Ways to Give

Time is running out to make tax-deductible contributions in 2020. Review our year-end contribution guidelines.

Review our year-end contribution guidelines.

Compare ways to give

There are many ways to give to charity. The chart below can help you decide which one is right for you. For more specific advice on how to meet your personal charitable giving goals, talk to your advisor.

Donor-advised funds
Organizations you can support	IRS-qualified public charities
Growth potential
Donations of non-cash items
Free online setup
Income tax deduction^* ^*Percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI)	60% for cash 30% for appreciated assets^* ^*Appreciated assets held for over a year are generally deductible at Fair market Value (this applies to both publicly and non-publicly traded assets)
Tax on investment income	None
Option to support charities anonymously
Ability to name successors
Consider this when	You want a turnkey giving solution with low costs and the potential to grow tax-free over time.

Private foundations
Organizations you can support	Many organizations and individuals, as long as the grant is made for a charitable purpose
Growth potential
Donations of non-cash items
Free online setup
Income tax deduction^* ^*Percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI)	30% for cash 20% for appreciated assets^* ^*Appreciated, publicly traded assets held for over a year are generally deductible at Fair market Value, while non-publicly traded assets are generally deductible only at basis
Tax on investment income	1.39% of net investment income
Option to support charities anonymously
Ability to name successors
Consider this when	You want to operate a charitable organization and potentially employ a staff, hire investment managers, actively manage grant-making, and sponsor charitable events.

Charitable Lead & Remainder trusts
Organizations you can support	IRS-qualified public charities and, generally, private foundations
Growth potential
Donations of non-cash items
Free online setup
Income tax deduction^* ^*Percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI)	Depends on the type of charity supported by the trust and the type of trust
Tax on investment income	Depends on the nature of the trust
Option to support charities anonymously
Ability to name successors
Consider this when	You want a trust that can generate income for, and eventually pass on a remainder interest to, heirs and charities.

Check / Cash / Credit
Organizations you can support	Public charities, private foundations and individuals
Growth potential
Donations of non-cash items
Free online setup	^* ^*Cash/debit/check is free, but credit cards and many online fundraising intermediaries charge fees.
Income tax deduction^* ^*Percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI)	100% to qualifying charities^* ^*The CARES Act temporarily increases the individual AGI limits for cash contributions made to qualified public charities in 2020. The CARES Act provisions do not apply to contributions to supporting organizations nor public charities that sponsor donor-advised funds, like Fidelity Charitable.
Tax on investment income	N/A
Option to support charities anonymously
Ability to name successors
Consider this when	You want to make one-off donations and manage your own donation receipts at tax time.

	Donor-advised funds	Private foundations	Charitable Lead & Remainder trusts	Check / Cash / Credit
Organizations you can support	IRS-qualified public charities	Many organizations and individuals, as long as the grant is made for a charitable purpose	IRS-qualified public charities and, generally, private foundations	Public charities, private foundations and individuals
Growth potential
Donations of non-cash items
Free online setup				^* ^*Cash/debit/check is free, but credit cards and many online fundraising intermediaries charge fees.
Income tax deduction^* ^*Percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI)	60% for cash 30% for appreciated assets^* ^*Appreciated assets held for over a year are generally deductible at Fair market Value (this applies to both publicly and non-publicly traded assets)	30% for cash 20% for appreciated assets^* ^*Appreciated, publicly traded assets held for over a year are generally deductible at Fair market Value, while non-publicly traded assets are generally deductible only at basis	Depends on the type of charity supported by the trust and the type of trust	100% to qualifying charities^ ^*The CARES Act temporarily increases the individual AGI limits for cash contributions made to qualified public charities in 2020. The CARES Act provisions do not apply to contributions to supporting organizations nor public charities that sponsor donor-advised funds, like Fidelity Charitable.
Tax on investment income	None	1.39% of net investment income	Depends on the nature of the trust	N/A
Option to support charities anonymously
Ability to name successors
Consider this when	You want a turnkey giving solution with low costs and the potential to grow tax-free over time.	You want to operate a charitable organization and potentially employ a staff, hire investment managers, actively manage grant-making, and sponsor charitable events.	You want a trust that can generate income for, and eventually pass on a remainder interest to, heirs and charities.	You want to make one-off donations and manage your own donation receipts at tax time.

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