Contribution Guidelines
Tools and resources

Year-end contribution and granting deadlines

Year-end contributions

  • 5 actions for determining what to give in 2023

    Blue polka dotted gift box wrapped in ribbon
  • Benefits of donating non-cash assets

  • Charitable granting guidelines

    coin jar with string lights
  • Benefits of bunching contributions

    Blocks stacked as a staircase to represent increased benefits

Refer to the critical dates below to ensure that contributions are received and processed by December 31, the IRS deadline for yearly tax deduction eligibility. For some assets, these dates fall in November.

You must have your Schwab Charitable account established and open prior to submitting contributions. Please allow up to 14 business days to open the account prior to making your contribution. All forms must be received in good order. We will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 23, and Christmas on December 25.

Year End Giving

Year-end Giving Guidelines
  •  Type of Contribution
  •  Contribution Action Needed
  • Timing
  •  Type of Contribution
    Assets held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Log in to your Schwab Charitable Account, click on "Contribute to My Account" and follow instructions. 

    or 

    Download and fax the Contribution Form (PDF).
  • Timing
    Contributions made online must be completed by 11:59 p.m. ET December 31. 

    Faxes must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET December 31.  
  •  Type of Contribution
    Checks
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Download and mail the Contribution Form (PDF). Overnight or mail the check.
  • Timing
    Contribution Form and check must be postmarked by December 31.
    • ALL checks must be made payable to Schwab Charitable. Do NOT make checks payable to Charles Schwab & Co
    • Government and Cashiers Checks are not accepted for deposit into donor-advised funds
    • Do NOT deposit any retirement funds into a donor-advised fund, as it is a taxable event
  •  Type of Contribution
    Wire transfer
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Submit a transfer request to the financial institution to wire the funds. 

    For details see Delivery Instructions (PDF).
  • Timing
    Wires generally take two to three business days. Please check with your financial institution. 

    The wire must be received by Schwab Charitable no later than 4:00 p.m. ET December 29.
  •  Type of Contribution
    Mutual funds held at a firm other than Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Complete, print, and mail the Schwab Charitable Transfer of Assets (PDF) form.
  • Timing
    Processing times can vary but typically will take two to six weeks. To ensure proper processing, we suggest initiating this request by November 17. 

    Assets must be received by December 29.
  •  Type of Contribution
    Stock transfers from a non-Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. financial institution
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Complete the Schwab Charitable Transfer of Assets (PDF) form and Instruct Schwab Charitable to initiate the transfer. 

    or 

    Initiate a transfer request to the firm holding the securities, and include Schwab's DTC number: 0164 from our Delivery Instructions (PDF).
  • Timing
    Processing times can vary but typically will take two to six weeks. Please check with your financial firm. 

    Assets must be received by December 29.
  •  Type of Contribution
    Physical stock certificates for publicly traded companies
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Download, complete and mail or fax the Contribution Form (PDF). Include an irrevocable stock or bond power form. 

    Please note: This form is only needed if you can't endorse the certificate.
  • Timing
    Must be postmarked by November 10.
  •  Type of Contribution
    Control and restricted stock
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Call Schwab Charitable
    800-746-6216.
  • Timing
    Processing times vary. To ensure proper processing, we suggest initiating request as follows: 

    Stock restricted by legend (Physical SKL) must be received by November 10. 

    Control/Affiliate book entry must be received by December 15.
  •  Type of Contribution
    Cryptocurrency
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Call Schwab Charitable
    800-746-6216.
  • Timing
    Call by December 8.
  •  Type of Contribution
    Other illiquid assets including private company stock, hedge fund interests, private equity, real estate, etc.
  •  Contribution Action Needed
    Call Schwab Charitable
    800-746-6216.
  • Timing
    Processing times may vary based on asset. 

    To ensure proper processing, we suggest initiating the request by Nov. 1 or at least 30 days prior to the proposed investment date. 

    Assets must be approved by Schwab Charitable and transferred thereto by December 31. 

Read important disclosures

All forms MUST be received in good order.

*To ensure complete processing by year end given expected volume increases

The type of securities and how quickly the securities are transferred by the financial institution currently holding the investments may impact Schwab Charitable's ability to receive contributions by year end.

Please know that any distribution from your IRA account to a donor-advised fund is not a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) for tax purposes.

Please know that any distribution from your IRA account to a donor-advised fund is not a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) for tax purposes.

2023 year-end granting deadlines

For grants to be processed by year-end, grant recommendations should be received by November 28. For efficient grantmaking, consider scheduling grants online now as a one-time or recurring grant.

Because you received a tax deduction when you contributed to your Schwab Charitable account, grants made from your account are not tax deductible.

In general, grants are processed in three to five business days however, processing may take longer toward the end of year. If grants are recommended to charities Schwab Charitable has granted to in the past 12 months, recommendations made after the deadline may still be processed by year end.

Action Needed

Log in to your Schwab Charitable account, select "grant" and follow instructions. Or download, print, and fax or mail the Recommend a Grant form.

Timing

To ensure processing by year end, grant recommendations must be submitted by November 28.

Image of jar of coins for charity

Granting recommendation tips

  • Increase granting efficiency by using the grant again feature for the charities you've given to previously.
  • You may also sustain support for your favorite charities by scheduling recurring grants over an extended period of time. You may skip or cancel a grant at any time.

Date Footnote

Disclosure

 Certain charities may take longer for review

0923-3N52