Giving Thanks—and Giving Back: Making the Most of Thanksgiving Philanthropy

Thanksgiving naturally inspires gratitude—family around the table, a warm meal, and the simple recognition of how much we have. It’s also an ideal moment to pause and think about how we can give back. Between Black Friday sales and year-end tax planning, this late-November window offers a perfect intersection of emotion, opportunity, and financial strategy. Whether you give through your time, talent, or treasure, a thoughtful approach to philanthropy can make your generosity go further—for the causes you value and for your own financial wellbeing.

Start with Gratitude and Reflection

The most meaningful charitable plans begin with a clear sense of purpose. Before writing a check or clicking “donate,” take time over the holiday weekend to reflect:

• What organizations have touched your life this year? Maybe it’s a local food pantry that helped a neighbor, or a health-related charity that supported a friend.
• Which causes align with your personal values or family story? Discussing philanthropy around the Thanksgiving table can be a powerful way to pass values between generations.
• How do you define impact? Some donors prefer to support smaller, community-based nonprofits where their dollars have visible results; others aim for large-scale organizations tackling systemic issues.

Writing these thoughts down can help shape an intentional giving plan rather than a reactionary year-end scramble.

Revisit Your Tax Strategy Before Year-End

For many households, charitable giving and tax planning go hand in hand. Because Thanksgiving falls just weeks before December 31, it’s a smart time to check in with your Financial Service Group advisor. A few strategies to consider:

• Itemized deductions: If you expect to itemize, charitable gifts can reduce taxable income. Consider “bunching” several years of donations into one year to maximize the deduction threshold.
• Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs): If you’re age 70½ or older, you can direct up to $108,000 (2025 limit) from your IRA directly to a qualified charity. The amount counts toward your required minimum distribution but isn’t included in taxable income. For 2025, please ensure that your recipient charity receives AND cashes the check before the end of the calendar year and that you receive a receipt for your tax purposes.
• Donor-advised funds (DAFs): These allow you to make a deductible contribution now, invest the funds for potential growth, and recommend grants to charities over time. They’re excellent for smoothing out giving across multiple years or large income events.
• Appreciated securities: Donating stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs held more than a year avoids capital gains taxes and gives you a deduction for the full fair market value. This can be especially tax-efficient in years when markets have appreciated strongly.

Research Charities Before Donating

Thanksgiving weekend often triggers a surge of charitable appeals—from mailboxes to email inboxes. Before responding, verify that your chosen nonprofit is reputable and financially transparent. Use resources such as Charity Navigator, GuideStar (Candid), or the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance to review ratings, mission statements, and financial ratios.

If you’re giving locally, take a moment to visit the organization’s website or facility, or talk with board members and volunteers. Knowing how a charity measures its outcomes—and how it uses its resources—can help ensure your dollars make the intended difference.

Involve Family and Make Giving a Tradition

Thanksgiving is often the one time of year when generations gather under one roof. Use that opportunity to make philanthropy a shared experience:

• Create a family giving fund. Let each member nominate a cause and vote on where the year’s donation will go.
• Encourage younger generations. Offer “matching gifts” for your children or grandchildren’s charitable contributions, helping them experience the joy of giving early.
• Volunteer together. Serving meals, collecting coats, or helping at a community drive can be more memorable than any shopping trip.

Family giving not only amplifies impact but also strengthens the legacy of generosity that will live long after the pumpkin pie is gone.

Balance Heart and Strategy

Ultimately, charitable giving is an act of heart—but a bit of planning ensures that generosity is sustainable. Revisit your giving plan annually, preferably during your year-end financial review. Align it with your broader financial goals, estate plan, and tax strategy. For larger estates, tools like charitable remainder trusts or private foundations can blend philanthropy with income or legacy planning.

The Bottom Line

Thanksgiving, perhaps more than any other time of the year, reminds us of our abundance. Translating gratitude into action—through thoughtful, strategic philanthropy—turns a seasonal feeling into lasting impact. By combining emotional intent with financial wisdom, you not only help the causes that matter most but also model what “living your Great Life now” truly means.

This article was crafted with AI assistance