Year-End Client Checklist: Six Conversations to Have Before December 31
Donor-advised funds have become the fastest-growing charitable vehicle in the U.S. If you're not proactively discussing giving with clients, someone else likely is.
Planning for Year-End 2026
- File new account paperwork for 2026 grantmaking by Dec 1.
- Initiate complex assets conversations as early as possible.
- See Ren’s full 2026 deadline calendar.
Spotting the Right DAF Opportunities
Business Owners and Complex Assets
Trigger: a client is preparing for a sale, or owns hard-to-donate assets.
Watch for: private business interests, pre-IPO shares, real estate, and other complex assets.
Existing DAF Holders
Trigger: a client already has a DAF but hasn’t contributed in 2026.
Ask: what’s their contribution plan? Are there updated giving goals? Is family involvement part of the picture? Help get any pending grants out early to avoid year-end chaos.
Liquidity Events and High-Income Years
Trigger: a client had an extremely lucrative year.
Watch for: an IPO, a large bonus, stock options, capital gains, or an inheritance.
Estate and Legacy Planning
Trigger: a client is discussing the future.
Ask about: estate updates, engaging the next generation, legacy planning, or unwinding a private foundation for greater focus on giving.
Appreciated and Concentrated Positions
Trigger: a client is considering selling appreciated investments.
Watch for: concentrated stock, long-held securities, and diversification needs.
Annual Donors
Trigger: a client is missing tax savings from giving without a plan.
Watch for: clients who support multiple charities, write checks, and want simpler recordkeeping.
The One Principle Behind All Six Conversations
The contribution to the DAF, not the grant to the charity, is what may qualify for a tax deduction. That’s true across every scenario above: a business owner funding a DAF before a sale, an existing DAF holder making their annual contribution, or an annual donor consolidating scattered giving into one account. The trigger differs by client; the underlying mechanism doesn’t.
Complex assets should be initiated as early as possible. Real estate, private business interests, and pre-IPO shares all take longer to contribute than cash or publicly traded securities. For the complete 2026 deadline calendar by asset type, see Ren’s companion Year-End Deadlines page.
Review Your Book of Business Before Year-End
Six client triggers, one underlying opportunity. Ren can help you prioritize which conversations to have first and move quickly once you do.
