{"id":109486,"date":"2025-09-12T00:41:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T07:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog?p=109486"},"modified":"2025-11-26T05:56:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T13:56:56","slug":"predictions-for-year-end-giving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/nonprofit-blog\/predictions-for-year-end-giving","title":{"rendered":"4 Predictions for Year-End Giving in 2025 \u2013 And What to Do Next"},"content":{"rendered":"

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act<\/a> (OBBB), signed into law on July 4th, 2025, is going to shake up charitable giving for years to come. Even though the changes don\u2019t officially kick in until 2026, donors aren\u2019t waiting.<\/p>\n

That means if you\u2019re deep in year-end planning for October through December, how you message, segment, and steward your donors now matters more than ever.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here are my four predictions for year-end giving this year, and what I\u2019d focus on if I were coaching your team right now:<\/p>\n

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<\/a>1. Smaller donors might pause \u2013 and that\u2019s okay<\/h2>\n

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Once the OBBB act goes into effect in 2026, taxpayers taking the standard deduction can deduct $1,000<\/strong> in charitable giving, and up to $2,000<\/strong> for married couples filing jointly.<\/p>\n

This means that some grassroots donors might wait to give until 2026 for a bigger tax benefit \u2013 and that\u2019s totally okay! Don\u2019t panic.<\/p>\n

Most donors don\u2019t give because of tax rules; they give because they see real, immediate impact.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lead with that impact<\/em>. Show meals being served, programs running, lives being changed this week. Make your emails, social posts, and donation forms speak with urgency and tangible outcomes. Simple, concrete impact statements like, \u201cYour gift today feeds 12 children this week,\u201d work far better than any tax incentive messaging.<\/p>\n

If you notice a pattern of standard deduction donors pausing, consider a hyper-targeted microtouch series of emails or posts that highlight immediate outcomes with a strong call to action.<\/p>\n

Pair this with human storytelling<\/a> to show donors what\u2019s at stake if they delay their gift.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>2. Major donors may lean in \u2013 lean with them<\/h2>\n

On the other side of the coin, the OBBB act may encourage larger donors to give more this year and beat the new limits coming in 2026.<\/p>\n

In 2026, itemizers must give over a threshold of 0.5%<\/strong> of their Adjusted Gross Income (or AGI) and under a ceiling of 35%<\/strong> of AGI in order to receive tax benefits.<\/p>\n

If a major donor leans in with a larger year-end gift, lean in with them. Thank them personally and promptly.<\/p>\n

Show them the real difference their gift makes, and invite them to engage beyond a monetary donation through advisory roles, partner events, or advocacy work.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now is the perfect time to start connecting with major donors<\/a>, too. Pull them aside, send them a voice note, or give them a quick call \u2013 and share an insider peek they won\u2019t get anywhere else.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s those small touches that make them feel like partners, not just check-writers.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>3. You may see more stock donations<\/h2>\n

With recent market growth and the new giving limits coming in 2026, some donors may choose to give stock instead of cash. They avoid capital gains, and you get the impact \u2013 everyone wins.<\/p>\n

Make it seamless. Tools like Donorbox\u2019s integration with The Giving Block<\/a> let donors give stock directly on your form. And don\u2019t stop there \u2026 a phone call, handwritten note, or quick coffee can turn a stock donor into a true partner.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Take a look at how Project Street Vet<\/a> accepts stock donations on their Donorbox-powered form:<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/p>\n

Learn More About Collecting Stock Donations<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

And remember that stock donors aren\u2019t just giving money \u2026 they\u2019re thinking long-term. They care about real outcomes, legacy, and sustainability \u2013 so make impact front and center: programs running, meals going out, lives changing.<\/p>\n

Show them exactly what their gift is doing, and they\u2019ll stick with you.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>4. Monthly Giving is still your secret sauce<\/h2>\n

Recurring giving has been climbing fast \u2013 with 1 in 3<\/a> donors enrolled in monthly giving \u2013 and year-end is the perfect time to embrace it.<\/p>\n

A monthly donor gives once, but their gift keeps giving month after month. It counts for 2025 taxes and continues into 2026, giving you predictable revenue and easier planning.<\/p>\n

If you have a sizable base of repeat donors, consider making monthly giving the default or recommended option on your donation form. On average, Donorbox forms that have a monthly interval as the recommendation raise 91% more<\/strong> than those without a recommended interval.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And to promote it even further, have a gentle nudge in place like Donorbox\u2019s Recurring Donation Upsell<\/a>, which converts one-time donors into monthly sustainers.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to tie your donation tiers to real impact to drive giving. And focus on storytelling to show how their current and future support isn\u2019t just addressing immediate needs, but driving real, lasting change.<\/p>\n

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Bonus Resource: Connect with Year-End Donors Smarter<\/h2>\n

Listen to this short podcast where I share how to connect with donors in a personal, human way for better engagement. These micro-touches \u2013 short, emotionally resonant messages \u2013 build donor trust and keep your cause top-of-mind as we head into the hectic end of the year.<\/p>\n