A Simple Year-End Giving Checklist for Canadians

Yes, it’s December 16, and the countdown to 2026 is officially on. But here’s the good news: you haven’t missed your opportunity to give back.

If charitable giving is still sitting on your mental to-do list, don’t beat yourself up for procrastinating. It’s normal. You’re not alone. In fact, this is the time of year when many Canadians finally hit the donate button.

You still have two full weeks. To make it easy, here’s a simple checklist.

1. Decide how you want to give

How you give matters for both timing and impact.

• Credit cards are convenient, but they come with fees.
• Giving directly from your bank can be more efficient.
• If you have appreciated securities (think Apple, RBC, Google shares, or mutual funds), donating them can reduce capital gains tax and increase the amount that reaches charity. These gifts take a bit more coordination, so now is the time to start.
• And yes, if you’re holding crypto, this might be the year you decide generosity beats watching another chart 📉😅

2. Remember how receipts actually work 🗓️

Charitable tax receipts are based on when the gift is made and completed, not when you decided to give or talked about it. If year-end tax planning matters to you, timing matters too.

3. You don’t have to decide everything right now

One of the biggest myths about year-end giving is that you must know exactly which charity you want to support before December 31.

You don’t.

It's okay to set money aside for giving now and take time to decide where it goes later. Holding funds in a giving wallet gives you the space to breathe, reflect, and give intentionally in the new year.

So take a deep breath. Exhale slowly.

Then, when you have a quiet moment, maybe on your phone or with a cup of coffee, take care of the giving part. The meaning and impact can unfold when you’re ready.

If you already have a Giving Fund, you can log in and give whenever you're ready. And if you don't have one, you can set one up in just a few minutes — sign up here!

Warmly,

Tammy Kyte

Executive Director

GiveWise Foundation Canada