What Are Some of the Best Ways To Donate?

Charities and nonprofit organizations around the world rely on donations to continue carrying out the crucial work that they do. But you may not know that there are a variety of different ways to make these donations. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best way for you to donate will depend on your personal circumstances, preferences, and the assets you are looking to donate. It will also vary based on what the particular nonprofit needs most. Let’s look at some of the best ways to donate:

• Monetary Donations - This is the most common way to donate, and it can be done online, by mail, or in person. Many charities have online donation forms that make it easy to give a one-time or recurring donation. You can also write a cheque or give cash to a charity in person.

• In-Kind Donations - In-kind donations involve giving non-monetary gifts, such as clothing, food, land, equipment, or household items. Many charities have drop-off locations where you can donate items, or you can arrange for a pickup.

• Stock Donations - If you have stocks or other public securities that have appreciated in value, you can donate them to a charity and receive tax benefits based on the fair market value of the securities, potentially without having to pay capital gains tax.

• Volunteering - Giving your time and skills to a charity can also be a valuable way to donate. Charities often rely on volunteers to help with various tasks, from fundraising and event planning to providing direct services to those in need.

• Fundraising - You can also organize a fundraiser event to raise money for a charity you believe in. It can be as simple as a bake sale or as complex as a charity run.

• Donor-Advised Funds - Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are separate accounts that you can set up inside of a public foundation. DAFs offer a simple way to make charitable contributions, as all of your information is organized in one place. DAFs also offer increased flexibility and tax efficiency because you can take the tax deductions in the present and pre-fund donations years into the future. 

Additionally, DAFs allow you to donate various assets, like appreciated stock, or even shares in a private business. Donating these types of assets can bring valuable tax benefits to you, like minimizing capital gains taxes, and also allow the charities you support to receive more than if you had donated cash.

No matter which method you choose, it's important to do your research and ensure that your donation will be used effectively by the charity. Look for charities that have a proven track record of making a positive impact and that are transparent about their finances and operations.

Charitable giving is an opportunity to bless others as Christ blessed us. It’s also an important part of a sound financial plan. The Canadian National Christian Foundation provides philanthropic advice and wants to connect God’s money with God’s work. 

Our staff, our leadership, and our board are all believers who want to help you manage your assets and guide you through creative giving solutions that also benefit you. We can handle non-cash gifts efficiently, getting the money into the field as soon as possible with 100% of your principal always available for your charitable grant recommendations. You can get started by opening a donor-advised fund today!

About Canadian National Christian Foundation

CNCF is a community of givers who are seeking to advance the Kingdom of God by connecting the resources God has entrusted to them with His work on earth.

Similar to other public foundations, CNCF’s difference is the commitment of its staff and directors to the Word of God, its non-denominational history and status as a Christian foundation, and its ability to allow donors to donate anonymously, at a time and gift value of their choosing.  Learn more by visiting our website.