The check is not in the mail: Advising charitable clients on smarter ways to give

Lost checks. Stolen checks. Delayed checks.

And now, effective December 24, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service has changed how it defines the official postmark date, an update that could affect when checks mailed to nonprofits “count” for IRS charitable deduction purposes.

Taken together, these realities present an important opportunity for advisors to remind clients that writing a check is no longer the most efficient—or reliable—way to give to charity.

In fact, in 2025 at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, we transitioned to electronic payments of grants.

Why Check-Based Giving Is Becoming a Problem

In the nonprofit world, check-related challenges are nothing new. But despite the rise of digital tools and more sophisticated charitable vehicles, many donors still default to writing checks out of habit.

While checks may feel familiar, they create real friction for both donors and charities, including:

• Mailing delays and uncertainty around receipt dates
• Increased risk of loss or theft
• Higher administrative and processing costs
• Manual recordkeeping and inefficiencies
  

Fortunately, advisors can help clients move beyond check-writing with alternatives that are more secure, more tax-efficient, and easier to manage.

Three Smarter Ways Clients Can Give to Charity

1. Use a Donor-Advised Fund

One of the most effective ways to move away from check-writing is to organize charitable giving through a donor-advised fund (DAF) at the community foundation.

A donor-advised fund allows a client to:

• Consolidate charitable giving in one place
• Make a single contribution (or series of contributions)
• Recommend grants to nonprofits over time
  

This structure reduces paperwork, simplifies recordkeeping, and creates a thoughtful, intentional approach to philanthropy—one that can easily evolve as a client’s priorities change.

2. Give Appreciated Stock Instead of Cash

Another high-impact opportunity for advisors is encouraging clients to look beyond cash when making charitable gifts.

Many clients hold highly appreciated stock, yet continue to write checks to charity out of habit. Donating appreciated securities directly to a donor-advised fund or other qualified charity can be far more tax-efficient.

When structured properly:

• Clients may avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation
• Clients may receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value
• Charities may receive a larger gift at a lower after-tax cost to the donor
  

This strategy aligns philanthropic goals with smart financial planning and often leads to greater charitable impact.

3. Give Online to Favorite Charities

For clients who prefer to give directly to nonprofits, online giving offers a faster and more reliable alternative to checks.

Online donations:

• Are received and credited immediately
• Eliminate mailing delays and loss risks
• Provide automatic digital receipts for tax substantiation
  

For charities, online gifts reduce administrative costs and allow staff to focus more resources on mission-driven work rather than manual check processing.

Helping Clients Give Better, Not Just More

By gently reminding clients about alternatives to check-writing, advisors help them maximize both the impact and efficiency of their charitable giving.