Largest grantmaker eliminates minimum contribution amount

Effective immediately, Fidelity Charitable removes initial $5,000 minimum contribution requirement

BOSTON, September 30, 2020 – Fidelity Charitable, the nation’s largest grantmaker, today eliminates the $5,000 minimum initial contribution required for a Giving Account. Effective immediately, the change makes smarter giving with a donor-advised fund more accessible for average American households that donate $2,600 a year to charity.¹

“The heart of our mission is to grow the American tradition of philanthropy, making it accessible, simple and effective for every donor, regardless of how much they give,” said Pamela Norley, president of Fidelity Charitable. “Two-in-three of our donors give more as a result of having a Giving Account. So, as we approach our 30^th anniversary, we are doubling down on our commitment to help families grow how much they give to nonprofits they care about.”

Fidelity Charitable supports nearly a quarter of a million donors using a dedicated Giving Account with a simple and seamless digital experience to manage all of a family’s giving through one portal. Donors can easily recommend grants online or via a mobile app. Fidelity Charitable also offers free guidance for donors through programs like Boost Your Giving IQ. In addition, everyone has access to information and a short quiz to determine if a donor-advised fund is the right giving vehicle for them.

Benefits of a Fidelity Charitable Giving Account:

• State-of-the-art online platform for contributions and granting, including tracking giving history, setting up recurring grant recommendations to favorite charities, donating stock or even granting on the go with an iPhone app.
• All of a donor’s activity is organized in a single place, with a dedicated budget and access to resources for effective giving. This helps donors prioritize their charitable giving, especially as they look to focus on retirement.
• Speedy support to nonprofits: Grants processed within days and no transaction costs related to grants for donors or nonprofits.
•  Free resources on effective giving, including access to educational programs.
• Ability to grow charitable dollars tax-free: A robust menu of investment options to support short- and long-term philanthropic plans.
• Tax efficient: Contributions are eligible for an immediate income tax deduction. Giving stock and other non-cash assets may minimize capital gains taxes.

 ¹ Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, 16 Years of Philanthropy Research: The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy Panel Study (PPS), December 2019.

About Fidelity Charitable

Fidelity Charitable is an independent public charity that has helped donors support more than 300,000 nonprofit organizations with more than $42 billion in grants. Established in 1991, Fidelity Charitable launched the first national donor-advised fund program. The mission of the organization is to grow the American tradition of philanthropy by providing programs that make charitable giving accessible, simple and effective. Visit www.fidelitycharitable.org.