As the holidays creep closer and the calendar starts to run out of days, a lot of us find ourselves thinking back on the moments that truly mattered this year.
Maybe you helped a neighbor, stepped up for a local cause, or supported a group doing work you really admire. Those small but meaningful actions tend to stick with us. They remind us that generosity is not just something we practice; it’s part of who we are.
Year-end giving is one more opportunity to put that spirit into action. For more insights on this topic we look to Ashlee Vieregger, Senior Lead Advisor at Foster Group. Ashlee recently wrote an article titled, “The Five Generosity Languages,” inspired by Gary Chapman’s well-known work on love languages. If you’ve ever read The Five Love Languages, you know the point is not just what you give but how you give it. And charities, it turns out, need love, too.
Why These “Languages” Matter
When we talk about generosity, money and volunteer time are the languages that usually get all the attention. They’re the obvious ones, but they’re far from the whole picture.
A lot of people don’t realize how valuable their professional skills could be to a nonprofit. Think about what you’re good at, whether it’s accounting, marketing, legal work, strategic planning, or something else entirely. Many nonprofits would love to have that expertise but simply can’t afford to hire it. Offering those skills, even for a short-term project, could create real and lasting value.
Another generosity language is your influence and your network. Many of us know people who would make great board members, donors, or volunteers. Sometimes, the most helpful thing you could do is simply to introduce the right person to the right organization. That kind of connection could change the trajectory of a project or help a nonprofit find resources they never would have uncovered on their own.
And then, there’s “sharing your story,” the kind of casual, genuine endorsement that happens in everyday conversation. When you talk about a cause that you care about, you raise its visibility. Someone else who is listening might think, “I’ve never heard of that group, but I’d like to learn more.” Sometimes, a simple word of support opens a door that the organization didn’t even know was there.
The point is, generosity looks different for everyone. It doesn’t have to come from the checkbook. It could come from your time, your talent, your relationships, or the way you speak about the work being done in your community.
Making the Most of the Time We Have Left This Year
If you feel as though December is already slipping by and you haven’t done as much giving as you hoped, there’s good news. You’re not out of time.
Even though individual taxpayers typically think about the calendar year ending on December 31, many nonprofits operate on a June fiscal year end. That means, a gift in January still benefits this year’s budget for many organizations. So even if life got busy and your giving plan didn’t unfold exactly as intended, there is still time to make a meaningful gift, even if the tax-benefit to you is realized next year.
But this season isn’t just about squeezing in last-minute donations. It is also a perfect window for reflection. What did you enjoy supporting this year? What made you feel connected? What would you like to do differently in 2026? Giving tends to feel better, and often has more impact, when it is intentionally done.
Donor-Advised Funds: A Useful Tool for Proactive Giving
If you’re someone who wants to be more strategic with your financial generosity, a donor-advised fund (DAF) could be incredibly helpful. Many families appreciate the flexibility these accounts offer.
A donor-advised fund lets you:
- Make contributions in a year when it’s most beneficial for your taxes (for example, during a high-income year).
- Give grants to charities on your own schedule, even years later.
- Easily use highly appreciated securities rather than cash to make contributions, which could be more tax-advantageous for you as a donor.
- Provide charities with cash rather than securities, which reduces administrative burdens for organizations that aren’t set up to manage investments.
Below are two approaches to implementing a DAF. Many families use a combination of both, contributing to the DAF when it makes tax-sense and granting to organizations when it makes mission-sense.
- The “river” model: You fund the DAF and then give out the money in the same year. It flows in; it flows out.
- The “lake” model: You build the DAF up over time, especially in strong earning years, with the goal of having a meaningful pool of charitable dollars to draw from in future years.
Bringing the Next Generation Into the Conversation
For a lot of parents and grandparents, talking about money with family could feel awkward or uncomfortable. It is not something many of us grew up openly doing. That is why starting the conversation with philanthropy could be so helpful; it’s a much easier entry point.
Letting children or grandchildren help decide where to recommend grants from a donor-advised fund gives them a chance to participate in giving without diving straight into the complexities of finances. They learn the values behind the decisions first, and the financial lessons follow naturally. It’s a gentle way to teach money skills and generosity at the same time.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we close out the year, there is something grounding about reconnecting with the causes that matter to us and reminding ourselves why we give in the first place. Whether your generosity is expressed through your wallet, your time, your expertise, or your voice, each contribution helps strengthen the organizations that make our communities better.
Year-end charitable giving isn’t just about planning; it is about purpose. And there’s no better time than right now to reconnect with what matters most. We know our clients are looking for more than just status; they’re looking for purposeful ways to use their wealth. If you would like to know more about the ways and means of charitable giving, please contact a Foster Group advisor.
