End-of-year giving is the best way to do good in our community while maximizing tax benefits. Whether you replenish your current fund or open a brand new one, the Atlanta Jewish Foundation makes year-end charitable planning a smooth and flexible process.
Please follow the steps below to ensure the accurate and timely processing of contributions and grants in 2025.
1. Review the Deadlines
See the table below for specific 2025 charitable contributions deadlines. Even if you’re unsure which organizations you’d like to support, contributing to your fund before the end of the year can help you maximize tax benefits.
2. Contribute to Your Fund
Log in to your Donor Portal to make a contribution. Go to “Add to My Fund” or “Funding Instructions” to contribute to your DAF.
3. Update Our Team
Contact the Atlanta Jewish Foundation at donorservices@jewishatlanta.org or call 404-575-3767 to provide your fund and contribution details. We look forward to assisting you!
Please remember, if you are sending stock to the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, please submit the name of the fund receiving the contribution and a description of the contribution (e.g., 125 shares of Apple stock or a $125,000 wire transfer initiated on X date)
5 Easy Ways to Give
Appreciated Assets (Cash, Real Estate, or Other Investments)
If you’re selling a business, real estate interest or other highly appreciated assets, think about where philanthropy fits in – not only as an act of generosity, but as a tax-saving strategy. Making your gift in advance of the sale may help you avoid capital gains taxes and get a larger tax deduction.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)
Year-end is an excellent time to establish or replenish your donor-advised fund. A DAF allows you to maximize tax benefits while maintaining flexibility in your giving.
One powerful strategy is “bunching” – making multiple years of charitable contributions in a single tax year to exceed the standard deduction threshold and secure a larger itemized deduction. For example, instead of giving annually in both 2025 and 2026, you could contribute the combined amount in 2025 to your DAF at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation. You’ll receive the full deduction in 2025, then take the standard deduction in 2026, while still distributing grants to your favorite charities on your own timetable.
This approach can save philanthropists – especially those giving in the $5,000 to $25,000 range – thousands of dollars in taxes without reducing their charitable impact. Donors can also “front-load” several years of giving into their DAF, continuing to support causes they care about consistently, while benefiting from significant tax advantages.
IRA’s
If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can make an IRA charitable rollover, or a direct tax-free transfer of funds, from your IRA payable directly to a qualified charity. This option is still available in 2025, and is a fantastic use of your otherwise taxable IRA dollars. While IRA’s are a great way to contribute to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign and to create an endowment or restricted fund, they cannot be used to contribute to a Donor-Advised Fund.
Cash Gifts
You can deduct up to 60% of your adjusted gross income for your cash gift. Let the Atlanta Jewish Foundation walk you through it.
Estate Plan Review
With current, and potential, tax law changes, many people are looking at their estate plans to take maximum advantage of the current tax laws. This is an ideal time to incorporate philanthropy into your plan. We’re here to help you, and we can work directly with your advisor.