Critical Dates | Assets to Give | Resources | Giving Team

Make the Most of the 2021 Giving Season

Despite the challenges and crises of the past year – from the pandemic to social justice to natural disasters – The San Diego Foundation donors have continued to respond at unprecedented levels.

During our fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, donors, fundholders and partners granted a record-breaking $104.1 million to 1,992 nonprofits. Thank you for your generosity as we work together to advance just, equitable and resilient communities.

2021 has been a unique year. Strong stock market performance and CARES Act charitable giving extensions have created a favorable giving environment for donors.

With the giving season upon us, we are providing ways for you to maximize your charitable giving strategies, tax benefits and grantmaking before it’s too late.

4 Ways to Maximize Your Charitable Giving Deductions in 2021

Critical Dates

You can donate many types of assets, such as mutual funds, stocks and more, to your fund at The San Diego Foundation. Refer to the critical dates below to ensure that contributions and grant recommendations are received and processed by December 31, the IRS deadline for yearly tax deduction eligibility. For some assets, these dates fall in November.

Type of Contribution

Mutual Fund

Action Needed

Call Donor Services at (619) 814-1332 or email DonorServices@sdfoundation.org.

Timing

Mutual fund donations must arrive to The Foundation by November 22.

Stock*

Action Needed

Submit a Stock Contribution Form.
Call Donor Services at (619) 814-1332 or email DonorServices@sdfoundation.org.

Timing

Stock donations must arrive to The Foundation brokerage accounts by December 29 at 1:00pm.

Credit Card

Action Needed

Login to your MyTSDF account.
Click on “Give to My Fund” and follow instructions.

Or

Call (619) 235-2300 to contribute to your fund with your credit card. Credit card processing fees will apply.

Timing

Credit card donations must be processed by The Foundation by December 30 at 12:00pm.

Check

Action Needed

Mail to:
Attn: Donations
The San Diego Foundation
2508 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92106

Please write your fund name and number in the memo field of your check. Make the check payable to The San Diego Foundation.

Timing

Mail must be postmarked by the U.S. Post Office by December 31.

Electronic Bank Transfer

Action Needed

Login to your MyTSDF account.
Click on “Give to My Fund” and follow instructions.

Or

Call (619) 235-2300 to set up an electronic bank transfer to your fund.

Timing

Funds must be received by December 31.

Wire Transfer

Action Needed

Call Donor Services at (619) 814-1332 or email DonorServices@sdfoundation.org.

Timing

Funds must be received by December 31.

Grantmaking

Grants

Action Needed

Login to your MyTSDF account.
Click on “Recommend Grant” and follow instructions.

Or

Call Donor Services at (619) 814-1332 or email DonorServices@sdfoundation.org.

Timing

Grants guaranteed to be postmarked before December 31 must be received by December 23 at 12:00pm.

*As of February 15, 2021, Northern Trust became The San Diego Foundation’s broker for gifts of appreciated securities, gifts of stock and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). When facilitating a transaction, please provide the following Depository Trust Company (DTC) wire instructions and information to your broker:

  • Depository Trust Company
  • FBO The Northern Trust Company
  • Participant Number 2669
  • Reference Account 44-98583
  • Your Name
  • Trust Name, if applicable – required for TSDF to accept gifts from a trust
  • Your San Diego Foundation Fund Name or Number

For gifts of mutual funds, please contact Donor Services at (619) 814-1332 or email DonorServices@sdfoundation.org.

Assets you can give

The San Diego Foundation accepts a wide range of financial assets.

Donating cash is simple. Donor-advised fund tax deductions include up to 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI) for gifts of cash, including checks, wire transfers and automatic deposits.

In 2021, extended CARES Act provisions permit individuals who itemize to deduct 100% of their AGI for cash charitable contributions*.

By donating appreciated securities to your fund, you avoid paying up to 20% in capital gains tax on the sale of non-cash assets.

  • Stocks (publicly traded, private and restricted)
  • Bonds
  • Mutual Funds
  • LLP Shares
  • Private Equity Stakes
  • Partnership Interests
  • Pre-IPO shares
  • Life Insurance
  • Trusts
  • Real Estate

Do you have Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) you must withdraw from your retirement plan(s) before 2021 ends?

To eliminate or reduce the impact of RMD income, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution* (QCD) to support impactful programs at The San Diego Foundation.

*QCDs and the CARES Act 100% AGI cash donation tax deduction are not eligible for gifts made to donor-advised funds. You can, however, support other programs and funds at The San Diego Foundation, including the Strategic Initiatives Fund, Black Community Investment Fund and Community Scholars Initiative.

Year-End Giving Resources

Donating Non-Cash Assets to Invest in Your Community

How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax & Invest in Your Community

Learn why gifting stock, real estate and other appreciated securities to a donor advised fund is an effective way to give back.

Read more

Grantmaking for Impact During 2021 Giving Season

Learn more about how you can continue to support just, equitable and resilient communities across San Diego and beyond.

Read more

How a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) Can Boost Your Giving Strategy

Learn more about Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and their benefits.

Read more

Professional Advisor Insights

Bunching Charitable Donations to Maximize Tax Deductions

Diane L. Gilabert, CPA shares how “bunching” your charitable donations could maximize future tax deductions.

Read more

How CARES Act Extensions Affect Your 2021 Charitable Tax Deductions

Learn more about the CARES Act and how its provisions may impact your 2021 charitable tax deductions.

Read more

FAQs: Estate Planning During COVID-19

Nancy A. Spector shares estate planning insight and answers questions she has received during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more

Your Giving Team

Simplify your giving by connecting with our experienced staff who understands the technical complexities of charitable giving. Your personal support team will help you manage your fund(s) and give confidently.

Your Giving Team

Contact us at (619) 814-1332 or DonorServices@sdfoundation.org to help with your year-end giving needs.