Is the check still in the mail? Advising clients on other ways to give

A message from the CICF Collaborative, including Central Indiana Community Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, IMPACT Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana

From 2000 to 2021, the number of checks Americans wrote declined by about 32% while the number of automated credit and debit transfers increased more than sevenfold. And now, effective December 24, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service has changed how it defines the official postmark date, which complicates when checks mailed to nonprofits “count” for IRS charitable deduction purposes.

Despite all this, many donors still default to writing checks. Should they? While checks feel simple and reliable, they introduce real friction for both donors and charities. That includes mailing delays, processing costs, security risks, and even checks lost in an increasingly stressed U.S. Postal Service.

Here are three ways your clients can move away from writing checks when supporting charitable causes:

Use a donor-advised fund

DAFs offer a more streamlined alternative to writing checks. They allow a client to consolidate philanthropy in one place by making a single contribution (or a series of contributions) and then recommending grants to nonprofits over time. This approach reduces paperwork, simplifies recordkeeping, and creates a clear structure for giving that can evolve with the client’s giving priorities and overall financial plans.

Give appreciated stock

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, the client may be able to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation while still receiving a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the asset. This often results in a larger gift to charity at a lower after-tax cost to the donor. A real win-win!

Give online

Giving online is faster and more reliable than writing a check, ensuring that a donation is received and credited immediately without the delays, risk of loss, or processing uncertainties that come with mail. Online gifts also create a clear digital record with automatic receipts, making it easier for clients (and you!) to substantiate charitable contributions for tax purposes. For charities, online giving reduces administrative costs and relieves staff of manual check processing.

When you remind your clients about alternatives to check-writing, you help them make the most of their giving. As always, the CICF Collaborative is here to assist you as you advise your philanthropic clients. Please reach out anytime. We are here for you!

About the CICF Collaborative

CICF Collaborative is a partnership of philanthropic organizations working together to strengthen communities across the region. Each entity within the CICF Collaborative (including the cornerstone entities, Central Indiana Community Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation, IMPACT Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana) brings deep knowledge, strong relationships, and its own individual, focused mission. The CICF Collaborative unites the entities by providing shared services, allowing the entities to operate more efficiently and effectively. By leveraging what we each do best, we’re able to better serve our communities and create more lasting impact, together. Learn more »