---
title: THE IRS IS NOT A CHARITY
description: Capital Campaign Consulting, Endowment/Planned Giving Consulting, Annual Campaign Consulting, Grantwriting, Training, Donor Research, Communications.
---

[DBD Group Blog ](https://www.dbd.group/blog)

# [THE IRS IS NOT A CHARITY](https://www.dbd.group/blog/the-irs-is-not-a-charity)

 Written by [Danny Maier](https://www.dbd.group/blog/author/danny-maier) | Nov. 28, 2014

*I**t’s beginning to look a lot like… end of season appeal time***. Yes, December is the number one month for giving. I received five appeals this week: two from my universities, my daughter’s university (like the five-figure tuition is not enough!), and two others.

All five appeals started with – to paraphrase – “Don’t forget to give today for your 2014 tax deduction.” But do North Americans really give for the tax write-off?

The answer is no. The tax write-off is merely a nice bonus. In fact, many American taxpayers – up to 70% – do not receive any tax benefit for their donation because they cannot or do not itemize their taxes or exceed the limit on deductions. Plus, a contribution is never truly “tax deductible,” rather a portion of the gift *reduces* your taxable income. So, on average, for every $100 donated in the U.S., only $17 is truly a tax benefit to your donor. In Canada, it’s $17 to $23 of benefit depending the province of residency. **Tax relief is not your donors’ primary, or even their secondary, motivation.**

So why do folks give in December? Because donors are compassionate and generous and the end of the year is a season of charity and thankfulness, as poll after poll bares witness.

So if sending out your end-of-year appeal (and I hope you do), stick to telling your story**.** People give to people (or animals of course). Make sure your case includes personal stories of your impact.

**And as far as the IRS/CRA, you just need to add the small print.* The big print needs to make your case.**

**All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of federal law.*

 

*Sources:*

**[http://createquity.com/2013/04/the-deduction-for-charitable-contributions-the-sacred-cow-of-the-tax-code/](http://createquity.com/2013/04/the-deduction-for-charitable-contributions-the-sacred-cow-of-the-tax-code/)**

17% dollars based upon the “effective” tax rate for the average taxpayer;

**[http://business.financialpost.com/2012/04/07/whats-my-tax-rate/](http://business.financialpost.com/2012/04/07/whats-my-tax-rate/)**

[View full post](https://www.dbd.group/blog/the-irs-is-not-a-charity)

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