#GivingTuesday 2025
Place2Give Donor Guide
Welcome to the 2025 Place2Give Foundation Donor Guide. This year, we focus on empowering your generosity by highlighting current trends shaping philanthropy across North America. Understanding these shifts can help you maximize your impact and align your end-of-year giving to ensure your donations are targeting the areas of greatest need in your community.
Key Trends in 2025 Philanthropy
The landscape of charitable giving continues to evolve, influenced by economic, social, and technological changes.
1. Increased Focus on Trust-Based Philanthropy
Donors are increasingly seeking to reduce the administrative burden on non-profits. Trust-based philanthropy emphasizes flexible, unrestricted funding and simplified reporting, allowing organizations to focus on their mission rather than compliance.
- Actionable Tip: Prioritize giving unrestricted funds. When completing a grant application or donation, indicate that the funds are for general operating support or to be put towards an area of greatest need.
2. The Rise of Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
DAFs continue to be a popular vehicle for tax-advantaged giving. They offer flexibility and allow donors to separate the timing of their tax deduction from the timing of the grant to the charity.
- Current Trend: While DAF growth is strong, there is increasing scrutiny and debate around regulations to ensure funds are distributed in a timely manner. When you open up a DAF account make sure you understand the rules that govern this foundation as each one is created differently. For a simple guide on Giving Vehicles, check out our comparison chart.
- Actionable Tip: If you have a DAF, create a distribution plan for 2025. Many organizations encourage establishing a regular granting schedule. Need help with this? Reach out to us!
3. Giving is More Digital and Mobile
Digital payments, including mobile apps and peer-to-peer fundraising, are becoming the norm. Donors appreciate the convenience and transparency of online platforms. Of course, if you intend to donate alternative currencies, like crypto, please get tax advice ahead of time! Here’s some additional reading: Pro Tips: CryptoCurrency Donations in Canada – What Donors & Charities Need to Know.
|
Digital Giving Method |
Benefit to Donor |
|---|---|
|
Mobile Giving Apps |
Quick, on-the-go donations |
|
Peer-to-Peer Campaigns |
Social connection and influence |
|
Cryptocurrency Donations |
Potential for tax efficiency |
4. Emphasis on Equity and Justice-Focused Giving
The social climate continues to drive significant interest in organizations working on racial equity, social justice, and systemic change. Donors are looking beyond surface-level impact to support root-cause solutions.
- How to Research: Look for organizations with diverse leadership, and clear commitment to measurable equity outcomes in their mission statements and annual reports. You can download our sample charity evaluation document to get you started.
5. Increased Scrutiny on Overhead and Impact
While trust-based giving is rising, transparency regarding impact remains crucial. Donors are using tools and data to assess an organization’s effectiveness, financial health, and true program impact, not just low administrative overhead.
- Donor Resources: Use evaluation tools like those offered by Karma & Cents, Charity Intelligence, or Guidestar to review an organization’s financial health before making a large contribution.
Remember – A “great charity” is more than just their financial statements. Check out the blogs and 60’ish Seconds of Philanthropy videos on charity evaluation and impact.
6. Donating Complex Assets and Collections
Beyond cash and stock, many donors choose to give tangible assets, such as valuable art, rare books, real estate, or other personal collections. The Purposeful Planning Institute podcast: To Donate or Not to Donate can provide some additional insights and guidance on this matter.
|
Donation Type |
Key Consideration |
Donor Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
Appreciated Real Estate |
Requires a qualified appraisal and clear title transfer. |
Avoids capital gains tax and receives a deduction for fair market value. |
|
Art/Collectibles |
The charity must use the item in a way related to its mission (“related use”). |
Deduction for fair market value if the use is related; otherwise, deduction is limited to cost basis. |
|
Business Interests |
Complex process often involving valuation and potential tax on unrelated business income for the charity. |
Highly beneficial for succession planning and tax reduction. |
7. Integrating Charitable Bequests in Your Will
A charitable bequest is a gift made through your Will or living trust. Discussing the following with your estate planner ensures your legacy is protected:
- Specify the Type of Gift: Decide whether you want to leave a specific asset, a percentage of your estate, or the “residue” (what is left after all other debts and gifts are paid).
- Identify the Charity Correctly: Use the full, legal name and address of the organization to prevent confusion or disputes.
- Consider Restrictions: While trust-based philanthropy encourages unrestricted gifts, you may include specific purpose language (e.g., “for the organization’s scholarship fund”) only after consulting with the charity to ensure they can legally and practically fulfill the restriction.
We have created a set of legacy questions to help you get started.
Your 2025 Giving Action Plan
Use this checklist to structure your giving throughout the year.
| Task | Target Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Review 2024 Tax Receipts | Date | |
| Select 3-5 Focus Charities | Date | |
| Set Up Monthly Recurring Donations | Date | |
| Research Emerging Non-Profits | Date | |
| Plan Person’s Legacy Gift | Date |
Maximizing Your Impact
A strategic approach ensures your donations create the greatest good.
- Consolidate Your Giving: Instead of numerous small donations, consider making larger, unrestricted gifts to fewer, high-impact organizations. This reduces administrative costs for the charity.
- Explore Matching Gifts: Check with your employer to see if they offer a corporate matching gift program. This can effectively double your donation.
- Give Non-Cash Assets: Consider donating appreciated stock or other complex assets. This can provide greater tax benefits than a cash donation. Consult with your financial advisor to discuss the best options.
- Volunteer Locally: Financial gifts are important, but so is your time. Connect with a local non-profit and offer your skills.
Important Dates and Events
Mark your calendar for key philanthropic dates and opportunities in 2025.
- The annual Giving Tuesday event on Dec 2, 2025 is a vital time to give.
- Donations of securities to Place2Give must be completed by Dec. 17th, 2025.
- New Place2Give Fund account paperwork must be submitted by Dec. 19th, 2025.
- Disbursements (donations from your fund to charities) to Canadian donors must be received in writing by Dec. 3, 2025.
- Disbursements to international charities must be received in writing by Nov. 28, 2025.