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Frequently asked questions

• Who is Fidelity Charitable?

  Fidelity Charitable is an independent 501(c)(3) public charity that helps individual and corporate donors maximize their generosity through a donor-advised fund, called the Giving Account. Established in 1991, Fidelity Charitable is the nation’s top grantmaker, distributing $11.2 billion to charities in 2022.

  The Giving Account streamlines the process of strategic giving for a broad range of donors, allowing them to contribute many types of assets and plan their giving more systematically.

• What can I donate?

  Fidelity Charitable accepts a wide range of financial assets, from cash and checks to stocks and even non-publicly traded assets like private business interests and cryptocurrency. Learn more about turning your portfolio into a life-changing gift.

• Who can I support?

  The Giving Account lets you support most qualified 501(c)(3) public charities with a minimum grant amount of just $50. Once you set up your Giving Account, you can start recommending grants to charities right away.

  Visit Fidelity Charitable’s demo to see if your favorite charity has already received grants. Don’t see the charity there? Once you open your Giving Account and have a charitable balance, you can recommend a grant and the Fidelity Charitable team will determine whether it’s a qualified charity.
• Why give with a donor-advised fund vs. giving directly to a charity?

  The Giving Account, a donor-advised fund, is one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to give to charity. When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a donor-advised fund sponsoring public charity like Fidelity Charitable, you are generally eligible to claim an immediate tax deduction. Then those funds can be invested for tax-free growth, while allowing you to support charities on your timetable.

  By using Fidelity Charitable, you're tapping into the nation's largest donor-advised fund sponsor with over 30 years of expertise. You'll have access to free resources and tools to help you make a greater impact.

• How much of a tax deduction will I get?

  When you donate to your Giving Account, you can take the same tax deductions as donating to any public charity.

  If you donate cash or checks, you're generally eligible for an income tax deduction up to 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

  However, if you have long-term appreciated assets, such as stocks or bonds, you have an opportunity to further maximize your deduction. By donating these types of assets directly to charity, you generally won't have to pay capital gains and you can take an income tax deduction in the amount of the full fair-market value, up to 30% of your AGI.

• Is the Giving Account still a good option if I don't itemize deductions on my tax returns?

  Yes, even if you don't itemize there are numerous benefits to the Giving Account ranging from streamlined recordkeeping to potential investment growth to involving your family.

  However, there are other financial benefits too. By donating appreciated assets like stock directly to Fidelity Charitable, you can minimize the capital gains tax allowing you to potentially give more to charity.

  You can also use a "bunching" approach that may help you exceed the standard deduction. The "bunching" strategy allows you to frontload multiple years of charitable giving in one year to potentially surpass the itemization threshold, making it possible to obtain a tax deduction, and then you can take the standard deduction in the off years.

  This can also be an impactful strategy for donors experiencing a high-income year or preparing for retirement, since you can maximize your tax benefits when you need it while creating a ready reserve to support charities over time.

• Are there minimums and fees associated with the Giving Account?

  Fidelity Charitable makes charitable giving accessible, simple, and effective. That's why there is no minimum to open a Giving Account and you can support as many charities as you'd like. Fidelity Charitable’s minimum grant amount is $50 to encourage giving.

  With one of the lowest annual fees of any donor-advised fund, the Giving Account is generally assessed an annual administrative fee of 0.60% or $100, whichever is greater. It’s often cheaper than giving with a credit card. Learn more about Fidelity Charitable’s administrative and investment fees.

• How can I use a donor-advised fund with estate planning?

  Incorporating Fidelity Charitable into your estate plan is another effective way to perpetuate your legacy of charitable giving. There are several approaches you can take, and each one offers unique advantages, including helping you reduce or even eliminate the estate-tax burden for your loved ones. And by naming Fidelity Charitable as a beneficiary, you have flexibility in changing the successor beneficiaries on your Giving Account with no updates required to your estate or will.

• Can I elect my Giving Account as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) recipient?

  Currently, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) made as part of your required minimum distribution (RMD) cannot be made to donor-advised fund sponsors, private foundations, and supporting organizations, though these are categorized as charities. Donors should check with their tax advisor before making a gift to ensure the organization is qualified to accept QCDs. Learn more about QCDs or make a QCD by transferring money from your IRA to charityLog In Required.