As we approach the end of 2025, now is the time to finalize your year-end giving plans. With new rules taking effect on January 1, 2026, acting now will help you maximize the benefits of your charitable contributions.

Here are two key changes taking effect in 2026:

1. Deduction for non-itemizers: Standard deduction filers may claim a direct deduction for charitable giving – up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for married couples filing jointly – for cash gifts only. Gifts to donor advised funds do not qualify.
2. New deduction rules for itemizers:
   1. Deductions for taxpayers who itemize will apply only to charitable giving that exceeds 0.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). (Floor Rule)
   2. High-income taxpayers will see their maximum tax benefit from charitable deductions capped at a top marginal rate of 35%. (Ceiling Rule)

Tips for Giving:

1. Accelerate giving in 2025 to take advantage of current deduction rules.
2. Consider “bunching” donations to exceed the standard deduction and itemize in one year and take the standard deduction the next. Donor-advised funds are a great tool for this strategy.
3. Donate appreciated securities or other non-cash assets to avoid capital gains tax and receive a full market value deduction.

At DuPage Foundation, we’re committed to helping you achieve the maximum impact and benefits through your giving. Below are some additional tips to consider for your 2025 giving and some key deadlines to keep in mind to avoid a last-minute rush. Acting now will ensure you achieve your goals efficiently and effectively with intention for the causes that matter most to you. Consulting your tax and financial advisors should also be part of your year-end planning. As always, we’re here to help you on this journey, so feel free to contact us at 630.665.5556 to connect with a member of our team.

KEY YEAR-END DEADLINES

SEPTEMBER 30

• Deadline to initiate real estate gift planning. (Deadline has passed for 2025.)

DECEMBER 5

• Recommended deadline to initiate IRA/QCD contributions.
• Recommended deadline to initiate electronic mutual fund gift transfers.
• Recommended deadline to initiate gifts of personal property (coins, collections, etc.) donation.

DECEMBER 12

• Deadline for grant recommendations from a DuPage Foundation donor-advised fund and suggested deadline to recommend non-DuPage Foundation donor-advised fund grants.

DECEMBER 26

• Recommended deadline to initiate ACH and electronic stock transfers.

DECEMBER 31

• Last day to personally deliver a contribution to DuPage Foundation office.
• Last day to get a USPS postmark for mailed gifts.
• Deadline for credit card donations.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF CASH

By Mail When sending charitable donations through the mail, the IRS considers the date of postmark to be gift date. To ensure a contribution through the USPS qualifies for 2025, you must have your envelope postmarked by Wednesday, December 31. This rule does not apply to private carriers like UPS and FedEx. Checks can be mailed to: DuPage Foundation 3000 Woodcreek Drive, Ste. 310 Downers Grove, IL 60515 (List fund name or donation purpose in the memo line)

By Credit Card To make a contribution by credit card, visit dupagefoundation.org/donate. Completed online transactions qualify through Wednesday, December 31.

ACH Transfer Donation transfers from your bank or money market account generally clear in 1-2 days but, at year end, can take longer. Contact us for transfer instructions or visit dupagefoundation.org/donate. ACH transfers should be initiated by Friday, December 26.

Drop Off at Our Office To personally drop off cash or check gifts, our office will be open through noon on Wednesday, December 31. We will be closed December 24-26.

IRA QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (QCDS)

For those 70^½ and older who are looking to take advantage of the amazing benefits of using an IRA to make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), such gifts are considered to be made when the distribution from the IRA leaves the account, not on the day it is initiated. Therefore, please initiate your requests by Friday, December 5, to ensure checks are received by the charity and cashed before year end. For 2025, the QCD maximum is $108,000/individual or $216,000/couple. QCDs can be contributed to all types of funds at DuPage Foundation, with the exception of donor-advised funds. If you have check-writing privileges on your IRA, the normal postmark date rule does not apply, because the funds must leave the custodial account by your IRA administrator’s last business day of the year for the distribution to count against your 2025 RMD.

• Learn more about 2025 IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions here.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF STOCK AND MUTUAL FUNDS

Electronic transfers of stock, mutual funds, and other securities are eligible for deduction upon the occurrence of their actual transfer from the donor to the charity’s custody, not upon the time of a transfer’s request. Please be aware of stock market schedules and recognize that some mutual funds may take up to two to three weeks for transfer. To ensure a transfer is initiated well in advance to work within the rules of your account administrator, plan to initiate mutual fund transfers by Friday, December 5, and stock transfers by Friday, December 26, to ensure your gifts arrive as desired. Contact us at 630.665.5556 to request transfer instructions.

GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A DONOR-ADVISED FUND

DuPage Foundation Fund Donor-advised fund grant recommendations are made through our Donor Portal at dcfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/fundmanager. or by contacting Laura Ernst, program officer at laura@dupagefoundation.org or 630.598.5295. To ensure grants reach your desired charities by year end, grant recommendations must be submitted by Friday, December 12. Non-DuPage Foundation Fund Please check with your Donor-Advised Fund Sponsor to determine its timeline for processing year-end grants if you want to ensure arrival by end of the calendar year.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF REAL ESTATE

Deadline has passed. Inquiries for gifts of real estate must be initiated by Tuesday, September 30, to allow ample time for appropriate due diligence, including, but not limited to appraisals and Phase I environmental impact audits. Real estate may be given at its current market value, allowing a full deduction and avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation. Properties under contract for sale are not eligible to be gifted. Properties that are encumbered by a trust, deed, loan, or mortgage will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY (COINS, COLLECTIONS, ETC.)

Inquiries for gifts of personal property like coins, collections, and other tangible assets should be initiated by Friday, December 5, to allow ample time for appropriate due diligence, including, but not limited to appraisals and other assessments.

This content is provided for informational purposes only. DuPage Foundation does not provide legal or tax advice and recommends that you consult with your tax and legal advisors and other members of your professional advisor team prior to making a significant charitable gift.