Along with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season comes the ever-important consideration around charitable giving. This has been a year when charitable giving has been top of mind more than past years, and continues to be crucial support for affected communities right here in Brooklyn.

With so many options, issue areas, and ways to donate, it may seem a little overwhelming—but donating to amazing causes shouldn’t be a chore—it should be simple and rewarding.

Below are a few tips for navigating and planning your very own year-end giving:

With so many local nonprofits, is there a simple way to give and know I am helping make an impact?

Brooklyn Community Foundation is a trusted institution throughout the borough and is able to partner in new and innovative ways to fuel community-led change. By donating to our Community Fund, you will fuel our nationally recognized $3 million annual strategic grantmaking program focused on opportunities for youth, immigrant rights, criminal justice reform, and much more.

What are the options that will provide valuable tax benefits, or help offset a capital gain?

Consider a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Brooklyn Community Foundation has developed a Donor Advised Fund program that allows you to make the greatest impact with your charitable giving, while maximizing the amount you can give. You can open a DAF with cash, stock, or other assets.

Donating appreciated stock with long-term gains (i.e. purchased over a year ago) to a public charity allows you to claim the fair market value as an itemized deduction—without having to sell your stock. This is becoming an increasingly popular—and easy—way to make a generous donation to the organizations you know and love.

What if I’d like to give directly to a local nonprofit?

Our Brooklyn Nonprofit Directory is a great resource where you can explore our searchable listing of local nonprofits by neighborhood and focus area. This is a fun way to get the whole family involved, and share the rewards of giving.

One thing to remember is no matter how you choose to give, there are many organizations who rely on generous donors like you.

Happy giving!