Child Sponsorship
Thinking about child sponsorship? Learn how these programs work, how funds are used, and what questions to ask before committing to a donation.
Wise Giving Wednesday: Uniting Through Generosity – A Guide to End-of-Year Giving
As we begin to think about year-end-giving we’re reminded that 2025 brought more than wild headlines—it reminded us that, even in chaos, generosity connects us.
Through all the rapid change and noise, it’s comforting to know that people can still unite in our shared humanity around things both trivial and important. The holidays have a way of bringing us back to our core values of love and generosity.
Accredited Charities work year-round to advance some of humanity’s highest goals – relieving hunger, responding to disasters, protecting our natural world, supporting our youth, curing disease… all while earning public trust.
This time of year, however, offers a special opportunity to reflect on which causes matter most to us, how we want to make a difference, and which organizations we trust with our donation. When thinking about your year-end-giving, take time to identify the causes and charities that you care about the most and consider reaching out proactively.
A large gift is always welcomed and provides charities with immediate, flexible resources. At the same time, many charities favor monthly donations because such giving can help donors spread out their generosity and make a larger cumulative gift. Monthly gifts also allow you and the charity to plan and budget accordingly.
Starting in 2026, individuals who don’t itemize their deductions will become eligible for a charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for couples filing jointly. Keep in mind that this deduction is limited to cash gifts to organizations tax exempt as charities. It does not apply to in-kind gifts, donations to crowdfunding campaigns posted by individuals, or gifts to donor-advised funds.
If you itemize your charitable contributions, you will now need to exceed a floor of 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) before contributions become deductible. Also for high-income itemizers, the tax benefit on deductions is capped at 35% of each dollar donated.
A Year That Brought Us Together in Surprising Ways
2025 was not always easy, but it brought us together in delightfully unexpected ways. It was the year we brought the dire wolf back from extinction, learned that the super-secret password to the Louvre’s video surveillance system was “Louvre,” uncomfortably discovered that Coldplay date, and were collectively suspicious of Oumuamua’s return trajectory and the arrival of its interstellar cousin, 3I/ATLAS. 2025 also gave us the shared joys and judgments of Labubu dolls and of “six-seven.”Through all the rapid change and noise, it’s comforting to know that people can still unite in our shared humanity around things both trivial and important. The holidays have a way of bringing us back to our core values of love and generosity.
Charities That Earned Trust—and Your Support
BBB Wise Giving Alliance is proud of its Accredited Charities. These organizations voluntarily undergo rigorous evaluations of their governance, finances, impact reporting, and fundraising practices, and meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, demonstrating their commitment to transparency and trustworthiness.Accredited Charities work year-round to advance some of humanity’s highest goals – relieving hunger, responding to disasters, protecting our natural world, supporting our youth, curing disease… all while earning public trust.
- A-Z List of National BBB Accredited Charities
- 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability
- Learn about How We Accredit Charities
- Search for a BBB Charity Report
Tips for Thoughtful Year-End Donations
We are also proud of you – Wise Givers – who generously and thoughtfully share your resources to power this important work. Below are a few tips to help you plan your end-of-year, or 2026, giving:Proactive vs. Reactive Giving: Make the Most of Year-End Donations
Many donors wait until they are asked to give, or base their decisions on recommendations from family, friends, or employers. We also respond to disasters and tragedies as they arise. In moments of heightened need, reactive giving is both necessary and awesome.This time of year, however, offers a special opportunity to reflect on which causes matter most to us, how we want to make a difference, and which organizations we trust with our donation. When thinking about your year-end-giving, take time to identify the causes and charities that you care about the most and consider reaching out proactively.
Is it Better to Give One Large Donation or Many Small Gifts?
We are often asked whether it’s better to give one large contribution or a series of smaller donations. Either is great, depending on your preference and capacity.A large gift is always welcomed and provides charities with immediate, flexible resources. At the same time, many charities favor monthly donations because such giving can help donors spread out their generosity and make a larger cumulative gift. Monthly gifts also allow you and the charity to plan and budget accordingly.
More Than Money: Alternative Ways to Give
If money is tight, remember there are meaningful alternatives to cash contributions. You can give nonperishable food to local food banks, donate warm coats in good condition, or provide toys for kids in need. Many charities also rely on volunteers and would value your time.- Get tips on making Used Good Donations
- Review our Guide to Car Donations for Charities
- Learn Why Volunteer Time Is More Valuable Than Ever and get tips for getting started
Understanding 2026 Tax Changes That Impact Your Year-End-Giving Donations
New tax code changes will take effect in 2026 that may affect your charitable giving deductions.Starting in 2026, individuals who don’t itemize their deductions will become eligible for a charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for couples filing jointly. Keep in mind that this deduction is limited to cash gifts to organizations tax exempt as charities. It does not apply to in-kind gifts, donations to crowdfunding campaigns posted by individuals, or gifts to donor-advised funds.
If you itemize your charitable contributions, you will now need to exceed a floor of 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) before contributions become deductible. Also for high-income itemizers, the tax benefit on deductions is capped at 35% of each dollar donated.
