Giving Season 2025
This is your single source for end-of-year gifting and granting.
Sunday, December 14
Deadline to open a DAF with an investment account
New DAFs with investment paperwork must be submitted by December 14, 2025 at 11:59pm EST, to finalize for this year.
NOTE: After this date, you can still open a new DAF with a 2025 cash gift with an investment account opening in 2026.
Wednesday, December 17
Deadline to finalize grant requests
Finalize all grant requests by December 17, 2025 at 11:59pm EST, to achieve year-end objectives.
Remember, any DAF opened after December 1 can be granted from in the following year (i.e., 2026).
Wednesday, December 31
Deadline to postmark cash gifts
For a 2025 tax deduction, all checks through USPS must be postmarked by December 31, 2025.
Checks through carriers other than USPS must be received by AEF by end of business on December 31, 2025.
Things to Remember
Any DAF opened after December 1 can be granted in the following year (i.e., 2026).
Include the Fund ID on all communications sent to AEF.
To qualify for a 2025 tax deduction, cash gifts must be posted to the investment account or the AEF PNC account – checks sent via USPS must be postmarked by the last business day of the year.
Also, to safeguard donors and ensure adherence to AEF policy, IRA distributions are not permitted to be directly deposited into a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) during the donor’s lifetime.
Frequently Used Documents & Forms for Giving Season
Open a New DAF
Fund an Existing DAF
Make Grant Recommendations
For additional documentation, visit our Forms, Docs, and Preferences page.
Additional Contribution Deadlines
If you just opened a new DAF and you are ready to fund it, or have an existing DAF and would like to make additional contributions for tax benefits, please note the following deadlines:
DECEMBER
29
Gifts of Cash Sent via Other Methods
Gifts of cash sent via other methods – Wire, ACH, etc. – must be received by December 29, 2025.
DECEMBER
29
Gifts of Publicly Traded Securities
Gifts of publicly traded securities must post in AEF’s investment account prior to December 29, 2025.
DECEMBER
31
Cash Gifts Must be Postmarked via USPS
Cash gifts must be postmarked via USPS and received on or before December 31, 2025.
NOTE: After this date, you can still open a new DAF with a 2025 cash gift with an investment account opening in 2026.
Already have a DAF with AEF?
Contribute now.
New gifts to AEF must be submitted with an AEF DAF application. Additions must be submitted with the FUND ID and donor acknowledgement name to American Endowment Foundation:
Wire
Notify AEF at funding@aefonline.org indicating amount, wiring institution, and AEF Donor-Advised Fund FUND ID and DONOR NAME to be acknowledged. AEF recommends sending your wire prior to December 29, 2025.
For Credit to: American Endowment Foundation, Account # 4244305765
Note: Donor Fund Name and FUND ID
Check
Checks must be USPS postmarked by 12/31/2025 and sent directly to American Endowment Foundation.
Please check with your local post office for hours of operation. We encourage using certified mail to track receipt of mailed gifts.
ACH
Notify AEF at funding@aefonline.org to expect an ACH. Indicate the account # or place in the memo field the name of the AEF Donor-Advised Fund or FUND ID. AEF recommends sending prior to December 29, 2025.
Account # 4244305765
Note: AEF is the sole legal owner of all investment accounts and assets that make up a DAF. Therefore, our express written authorization is required prior to moving any DAF funds.
Also, to safeguard donors and ensure adherence to AEF policy, IRA distributions are not permitted to be directly deposited into a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) during the donor’s lifetime.
CONTACT AEF
Development Team at (888) 440-4233×204 – For assistance with opening a new Donor-Advised Fund
Donor Experience Team at (888) 440-4233×201 – For assistance with Donor Central
Advisor Experience Team at (888) 440-4233×203 – For Financial Advisor/Associate general and service-related questions
.
Investments Team at (888) 440-4233×206 – For investment questions and verbal trade approvals
Fund Administration Team (NewDAF@aefonline.org) – For additional forms that require AEF’s signature after account opening
Please check with your custodian for their DAF opening and security deadlines.