Big Day of Giving is all about supporting the causes you care about in ways that work for you. While many donors give with a credit card or digital wallet, there are other meaningful — and often tax-smart — ways to participate. Two options worth considering are donating appreciated stock or making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. Both can help you support nonprofits across our region while making the most of your charitable dollars.
Donating Stock: A Tax-Smart Way to Support Your Favorite Causes
If you own appreciated stock, donating it directly to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation for Big Day of Giving can be a powerful way to give. In many cases, donors can avoid capital gains taxes while supporting the nonprofits they care about, allowing more of their generosity to go toward community impact. Our Philanthropy Team will work closely with you to ensure your gift is directed exactly where you intend.
Stock gifts must have a minimum of $500 per nonprofit. To allow time for processing, we encourage donors to initiate stock transfers by May 1. Donors should contact the Philanthropy Team to request transfer instructions and get started.
For donors who do not currently have a charitable fund with us, the Foundation charges a small support fee on stock gifts: 1% of the value of the gift received, dropping to 0.5% for stock gifts valued at $10,000 or more.
If you are a fundholder and wish to donate stock, you may prefer to send the stock directly to your charitable fund. This approach avoids the Big Day of Giving support fees listed above, and our team is happy to help you determine the best option.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): Give Directly from Your IRA
If you’re age 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA to support nonprofits participating in Big Day of Giving. QCDs offer a simple, tax-efficient way to give directly from your retirement account while supporting causes in our region. They can also be a meaningful option for those who want to give from their IRA while continuing to support nonprofits across the community.
To ensure your gift is included, please ask your IRA administrator to issue a check for the full amount you wish to give and send it so it arrives by Thursday, May 7. The check should be made payable to:
Sacramento Region Community Foundation
Attn: Big Day of Giving
955 University Avenue, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95825
After requesting the check, please contact the Philanthropy Team so we can designate your QCD to the nonprofit(s) you intend to support during Big Day of Giving. The Foundation does not charge support fees on QCD checks.
Give in the Way That Works for You
However you choose to donate, every gift you make during Big Day of Giving helps strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. If you’re considering one of these options, we’re here to help make the process simple and ensure your generosity goes exactly where you want it to go.
Your Philanthropy Team
We’re here to help you give with confidence.
