Contribution guidelines for 2023
Below is a quick reference guide to ensure you don't miss one charitable moment. The dates below show when your year-end contributions should be initiated. Click on Show More to view step-by-step instructions for contributing assets.
Assets held at vanguard.com
Electronic form: December 31, 2023 by 11:59 pm Eastern, if initiating the transaction electronically through vanguard.com.
- If you're contributing from a joint Vanguard account and your Multi Owner Authorization (MOA) has expired, your joint owner will need to provide consent via Vanguard's Secure Message Center before you contribute.
If ineligible for electronic transfer, a paper form must be submitted by December 15, 2023.
How to contribute with electronic form
- Log in to your vanguard.com account.
- Choose the Documents & Statements icon, then select Tax forms & information.
- Scroll down to Additional resources, then click the Vanguard Philanthropic Center.
- Click Start Donation to contribute to your Vanguard Charitable account.
If ineligible for an electronic form
- Log in to your Vanguard Charitable account.
- Click Contribute.
- Select Asset Held at Vanguard.
- Select I am not eligible for electronic authorization (mutual fund or security).
- Follow prompts to initiate the transaction.
- Use the Letter of authorization form to initiate the transfer of ownership to Vanguard Charitable from Vanguard.
How to contribute with paper form
- Print, complete, and send the Make a contribution form to Vanguard Charitable.
If you are ineligible to authorize electronically, additional paperwork may be required. We recommend initiating the transaction sooner.
Assets not held at Vanguard: Mutual Fund
November 10, 2023
How to contribute with electronic form
- Log in to your Vanguard Charitable account.
- Click Contribute.
- Select Assets held outside Vanguard.
- Follow prompts to initiate the transaction.
- Use the Letter of authorization form to initiate the transfer of ownership to Vanguard Charitable from the financial firm that actively holds the asset.
How to contribute with paper form
- Print, complete, and send the Make a Contribution form to Vanguard Charitable.
- Use the Letter of authorization form to initiate the transfer of ownership to Vanguard Charitable from the financial firm that actively holds the asset.
Assets not held at Vanguard: Security
December 15, 2023
How to contribute with electronic form
- Log in to your Vanguard Charitable account.
- Click Contribute.
- Select Assets held outside Vanguard.
- Follow prompts to initiate the transaction.
- Read and use the information in the Delivery Instructions form to initiate the transfer of ownership to Vanguard Charitable from the financial firm that actively holds the asset.
How to contribute with paper form
- Print, complete, and send the Make a contribution form to Vanguard Charitable.
- Read and use information in the Delivery Instructions form to initiate the transfer of ownership to Vanguard Charitable from the financial firm that actively holds the assets.
Electronic bank transfer (EBT)
December 22, 2023
How to contribute with electronic form
- Log in to your Vanguard Charitable account.
- Click Contribute.
- Select, Check, or Electronic Bank Transfer.
- Follow prompts to initiate the transaction.
- Instruct your bank to send the EBT to Vanguard Charitable.
How to contribute with paper form
- Print, complete, and send a Make a contribution form to Vanguard Charitable.
- Instruct your bank to send the EBT to Vanguard Charitable.
Wire
December 22, 2023
How to contribute with electronic form
- Log in to your Vanguard Charitable account.
- Click Contribute.
- Select, Wire, and follow prompts to initiate the transaction.
- Print, complete, and send any paperwork requested.
- Instruct your bank to wire the funds to Vanguard Charitable.
How to contribute with paper form
- Print, complete, and send the Make a contribution form to Vanguard Charitable.
- Instruct your bank to send the Electronic Bank Transfer to Vanguard Charitable.
Check
Mail must be postmarked by December 31, 2023
How to contribute with electronic form
- Log in to your Vanguard Charitable account.
- Click Contribute.
- Select, Check,1 or Electronic Bank Transfer.
- Follow prompts to initiate the contribution.
- Print, complete, and mail any paperwork requested, along with your check, to Vanguard Charitable.
How to contribute with paper form
- Print, complete, and send Make a contribution form, along with your check to Vanguard Charitable, P.O. Box 9509, Warwick, RI, 02889-9509. Or send overnight/registered to 2670 Warwick Ave, Warwick, RI, 02889-9509
Please contact us with any questions.
Stock Certificate
Mail must be postmarked, and paperwork in good order, by December 31, 2023
How to contribute with electronic form
- Log in to your Vanguard Charitable account.
- Click Contribute.
- Select Stock Certificate,1 and follow prompts to initiate the contribution.
- Print, complete, and mail any paperwork requested, along with the properly endorsed, original stock certificate.
- Print, complete, and mail a Letter of authorization form, which is required with a medallion signature guarantee.
How to contribute with paper form
- Print, complete, and mail the Make a contribution form to Vanguard Charitable, along with the properly endorsed original stock certificate.
- Print, complete, and mail a Letter of authorization form, which is required with a medallion signature guarantee.
Restricted stock & complex assets (private equity, insurance policies, etc.)
Time frames may vary. Please contact us at donorservice@vanguardcharitable.org
Contributions of complex assets (restricted stock, hedge funds, private equity investments, bitcoin, insurance policies, etc.) may vary in processing times. Complex assets are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Call 888-383-4483 or email us to discuss your asset.
To open an account, the minimum initial contribution is $25,000 and the minimum additional contribution is $5,000. Contributions initiated through Vanguard.com, in good order, prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, can be processed the same business day. All other contributions must be received, in good order, by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time, to be processed the same business day.
4:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
Granting Guidelines - 2023 year-end
Guidelines for grant recommendations
Because of the high volume of year-end granting, we request that all 2023 grant recommendations be entered by December 8, 2023, to be processed by the end of the current calendar year.2 We will do our best to process grant recommendations submitted after December 8 as soon as possible. To ensure your grant recommendations are processed by the end of the calendar year, please submit grant recommendations as early as possible.
Please consult your tax advisor for questions about your personal tax situation.
3 tips to optimize giving
We want you to get the most from your charitable generosity. Here are three simple tips to ensure your charitable dollars are working hard for you and the charity you want to support.
1
Contribute assets that provide maximum tax benefits
Giving non-cash gifts to charity is a tax-effective way to reallocate a portfolio, reduce capital gains, or minimize taxable income to support your overall financial strategy.
Right tool for the right job makes all the difference. Is a donor-advised fund the right giving tool for you?
Recommending unrestricted grants at year-end may allow charities to support the most critical needs, which can increase your charitable impact.
Footnotes
- To ensure a year-end tax deduction, all checks and stock certificates sent via mail must be USPS-postmarked by December 31 the same year. We highly recommend obtaining a post office receipt. Proof of send from a different carrier, such as UPS or FedEx, does not qualify as valid documentation for a year-end tax deduction.
- In the event a grant requires extensive due diligence, we may not be able to guarantee grant issue by year-end, even if the grant recommendation is submitted by December 5. Complex grant recommendations should be submitted as soon as possible.
Maintenance fee may be applied
Accounts having a balance below $25,000 may be subject to an annual maintenance fee of $250.
You are eligible for special rates
Our premier clients enjoy reduced pricing to further maximize their impact.
Our representatives are happy to guide you through.