Your Philanthropic Services team compiled this resource guide to help with your year-end giving. Please call (415) 733-8590 or email us at donorservices[at]sff.org with any additional questions.
- November 15, 2024: Recommended date to initiate gifts of mutual fund shares.
- November 15, 2024: Recommended date to initiate an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution to ensure the gift is processed before December 31, 2024. Please note that QCDs cannot be made to Donor Advised Funds but may be gifted to the San Francisco Foundation’s initiatives and projects.
- December 13, 2024: Grant recommendations due by 5:00 p.m. PDT. This is the preferred date to submit recommendations to provide the best chance of grantees receiving funds before 12/31.
Note: SFF will continue processing grants through the end of the year, but external factors such as delayed postal service or organizations closed for holidays, can impact when grantees receive funds. As a reminder, there is no tax implication for donors when grantees receive SFF funds.
- December 13, 2024: Recommended date to initiate gifts of securities if you would like to receive a gift acknowledgement before the end of the year.
- December 31, 2024: This is the final date for the foundation to receive charitable contributions that will be tax deductible for 2024. Please keep in mind that SFF’s office is closed on Wednesday, 01/01/25 & Friday, 01/03/25. We are also closed the week of January 6, 2025, so you will receive your gift receipt after the foundation reopens.
We generally receipt gifts within 3-5 days, and your gift will be posted to Donor Center within 4-6 days.
On this page (click below to jump to a section):
- Contribute to Your Fund
- Gift Planning Strategies: the IRA Charitable Rollover
- Your Philanthropy Services Team is Here to Support You
Contribute to Your Fund
Your donor advised fund is a simple tool to help you meet your tax planning goals for this year. As you look at your charitable giving for the end of the year, please consider the following:
- All contributions into your fund receive the maximum income tax deduction allowed by the IRS.
- If you contribute long-term, appreciated securities (e.g., publicly traded stocks) to your fund, you qualify for an immediate income tax deduction equal to the full market value of the stock, and you avoid paying capital gains taxes. It’s a great way to front-load your giving, receive an income tax deduction, and have flexibility in when you support your favorite causes.
Make Gifts of Stock
Please notify us in writing when you plan to transfer a gift of securities and send a copy of the instructions you give to your broker to donorservices[at]sff.org or fax to (415) 399-1610. Please include a description of the security (e.g., 50 shares of XYZ stock), the name of your fund, and the name of the donor for tax purposes (e.g., Living Trust).
Please contact us at donorservices[at]sff.org for the account information to send your stock gift or if you plan to donate mutual fund shares.
Make a Gift with a Check
Send a check payable to The San Francisco Foundation. Indicate the name of your fund in the memo line and mail the check to:
The San Francisco Foundation
P.O. Box 889275
Los Angeles, CA 90088-9275
- If you mail a check, the envelope must be postmarked by December 31 by USPS to count as a gift for 2024.
- Gifts delivered by a private service company (e.g., Fed Ex) must arrive at the Foundation by December 31.
- Credit card gifts must be made before 12 midnight on December 31 in your time zone.
Please call (415) 733-8590 or email us at donorservices[at]sff.org with any questions.
Recommend Grants from Your Fund
Please log in to our online portal, Donor Center, to easily make new or repeat grant recommendations.
Gift Planning Strategies: the IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution
The IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution is a unique federal provision allows anyone 70½ years or older to make an outright gift directly from their IRA to The San Francisco Foundation or other favorite charitable organizations of up to $105,000 in 2024. The amount given can be excluded from your taxable income. Please note that Qualified Charitable Distributions are not permitted to donor advised funds. See our Detailed Giving Instructions.
Who can make a gift through their IRA?
Anyone with a traditional or Roth IRA who is 70½ years old or older.
How much can be donated this way?
Up to $105,000 per person in 2024, no matter what your income is.
Can I donate to a Donor Advised Fund at the foundation?
Unfortunately, no. IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions are not permitted to a DAF or private foundation.
Permissible contributions to the San Francisco Foundation include:
- Field of Interest Funds
- Artistic Hubs Cohort #8554
- Bay Area Leads Fund #8362
- Hope SF Fund #8287
- Rapid Response Fund #8396
- SFF’s Endowment Fund #1309, which supports our work and annual grantmaking in the community
If I make a gift from a traditional IRA, am I required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD)?
If you direct your IRA plan administrator to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution, the distribution (up to $105,000) may count towards your RMD. We encourage you to consult with your financial advisor to discuss your specific retirement plan(s) and how this may affect your personal tax situation.
Do I get a federal income tax deduction?
No, but you are not required to pay federal income tax on the withdrawal either. NOTE: Some states may not exclude gift amounts withdrawn from an IRA for state income tax purposes. We encourage you to consult with your tax advisor to discuss your personal tax situation.
Do gifts from other retirement accounts qualify?
Gifts from retirement accounts other than IRAs—such as 401(k), 403(b) and SEP accounts—are not eligible to make direct transfers. However, donors may be able to make qualified, tax-free transfers to their IRA, and then make the IRA charitable rollover gift. We encourage you to consult with your tax advisor to discuss your personal tax situation.
How do I make a gift to the San Francisco Foundation this way?
Contact your retirement plan administrator well before the December 31 deadline to learn how to initiate the gift. We recommend you do so by November 15th to ensure your request is processed, mailed, and received well before December 31st.
See our Detailed Giving Instructions to ensure that the gift is made directly to the San Francisco Foundation.
All check donations should be mailed directly to our lockbox at:
The San Francisco Foundation
P.O. Box 889275
Los Angeles, CA 90088-9275
Can I use my IRA checkbook to make this gift?
Yes, if you have check writing privileges, please make the check payable to “The San Francisco Foundation” and put the Fund info in the memo line. Please note that for tax purposes, the gift date is the date that the funds leave your IRA account and not the postmark on the envelope. Therefore, please allow enough time for the check to be received at our lockbox and deposited, to ensure that the funds are withdrawn during your preferred tax year.
Want to learn more about this unique giving option?
Contact Stephanie Dustman at sdustman[at]sff.org.
Your Philanthropic Services Team is Here to Support You
We look forward to answering your questions, conducting research for you, and providing information on services and programs that help support your charitable goals.
We can help you:
- Research, evaluate, and select nonprofit organizations, preserving your anonymity
- Donate a variety of complex assets and choose the best giving solution for your needs
- Connect you to like-minded individuals who share your philanthropic interests
- Establish funds for your children or grandchildren
- Create a charitable legacy
- Develop a personalized giving plan and engage your family in philanthropy
Contact your Philanthropic Advisor or call (415) 733-8590 or email us at donorservices[at]sff.org.
