Giving Season 2026
This is your single source for end-of-year gifting and granting.
Monday, December 14
New account opening paperwork deadline
Submit all completed donor-advised fund and investment account paperwork by December 14, 2026, at 11:59pm EST, to be opened and finalized for this year.
NOTE: After this date. you can still open a new DAF with a 2026 cash gift with an investment account opening in 2027.
Wednesday, December 16
Granting deadline
If you want funds to reach the charity before December 31st, recommend a grant by December 16th.
If submitted after December 16th, we will do our best to have grants paid by December 31st, but cannot guarantee it.
Note: These deadlines are for existing funds opened prior to November 20th, 2026.)
Thursday, December 31
Cash gift deadline
December 31, 2026 is the deadline to have cash gifts postmarked for a 2026 tax deduction.
Looking to contribute to a new and/or existing DAF during Giving Season?
Download the Giving Season Digital Guide for all your steps.
Things to Remember
Any DAF opened after November 20, 2026 can be granted in 2027.
Include the Fund ID on all communications sent to AEF.
To qualify for a 2026 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 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.
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
AEF recommends sending your wire or ACH prior to December 29, 2026.
Wires or ACH’s must be received by December 31, 2026. Check with your back office for processing times.
DECEMBER
29
Gifts of Publicly Traded Securities
Gifts of publicly traded securities must post in AEF’s investment account on or prior to December 29, 2026.
DECEMBER
31
Cash Gifts Must be Postmarked via USPS
Cash gifts must be postmarked via USPS on or before December 31, 2026.
NOTE: After this date, you can still open a new DAF with a 2026 cash gift with an investment account opening in 2027.
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.
Contribute to a Fund
Want to contribute to your American Endowment Foundation donor-advised fund?
AEF accepts a range of assets to open and grow your DAF. Watch to learn more.
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:
Check
Checks must be USPS postmarked by December 31, 2026, 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.
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, 2026. Check with your back office for processing times.
For Credit to: American Endowment Foundation, Account # 4244305765
Note: Donor Fund Name and FUND ID
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, 2026. Check with your office for processing times.
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 AEF DAF Platform
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.