How Charitable Contributions Work

Charitable contributions provide incredible value. Businesses that make philanthropic contributions make their employees feel valued. They strengthen employee-morale as they sense the business cares beyond its quest for profits. Charitable contributions give businesses the ability to announce their brands outside the regular market scope. Such endeavors often benefit from free advertising and company goodwill. Charitable contributions are an integral part of business success to promote the business and improve local communities.

Over the last three decades, charitable organization donations have increased, far surpassing the rate of inflation. In 2021, many donors recognize charity giving as an integral part of community culture. In 2013 alone, more than 95% of all households in the US donated to a charity. Enterprises that fund charitable organizations usually receive tax waivers from relevant federal agencies to achieve a tax break. Apart from saving money, it helps companies cut down operation costs.

Real-World Examples of Charitable Contributions

The Sarasota County Community Foundation in the US recently hosted the "Giving Challenge." This initiative, which receives many small contributions from charities, usually benefits 700 local charities. It's a 24-hour donation challenge. During the challenge in 2018, the Sarasota, Desoto, and Manatee county local nonprofits took small contributions going down to $25. The average gift was $82. The challenge received almost 75,000 gifts worth over $6 million.

On April 28, the "2020 Giving Challenge" connected more than 700 nonprofit organizations with willing donors. In 2021, the Patterson Foundation plans to match each of these individual donor contributions up to $100 for a specific organization. The challenge soon pivoted exclusively to the online platform.

Last year, Apple gave charitable contributions amounting to $125 million; their employees donated over 20,000 working hours to carry out volunteer work for various philanthropic organizations worldwide. The employees received substantial tax breaks owing to these generous, selfless contributions.

Types of Charitable Contributions

There are various types of charitable organizations. Private charities depend on the government and private organizations for funding their operations. Charities receive their primary funding from families, private individuals, corporations, and other various funding sources.

Examples of charitable contributions include:

  • Donation of Real Estate and Property: From summer homes you haven't visited for years to land you'd like to dispose of, real estate is the new frontier when it comes to charitable contributions.
  • Charitable Trusts: You can opt to create a trust in which income generated from assets in your trusts become your charitable contribution. This is known as charitable lead trust. Here, you get to receive income from assets before contributing to a charitable organization (or a charitable remainder trust).
  • Granting Assets to Charity: Assets such as life insurance policies, property, and even jewelry can make a difference in other's lives as the money is put to use.
  • Securities: You can donate appreciated securities, such as stocks. This can open the floodgates of fantastic relative tax benefits for the benefactor.