For many of us, the holiday season is also the season of generosity – a time to reflect on the causes we care about and the legacy we hope to leave behind. This festive time of year offers an excellent opportunity to express gratitude and engage your family in meaningful conversations about giving back.
One approach to foster deeper connections is through “generational storytelling.” By sharing personal stories, experiences, and lessons learned from your charitable journey, you can inspire younger generations to embrace the values of generosity and community. Holiday gatherings, filled with warmth and togetherness, can be the perfect backdrop for these discussions. Imagine sitting around the table or in front of the fireplace, recounting how your family has impacted others through acts of kindness or support for meaningful causes. These conversations can help cultivate shared values and create a lasting bond among your loved ones.
Volunteering together is another way to deepen your family’s commitment to giving. Consider dedicating some time as a family to support local charities during the holiday season. Whether serving meals, organizing donations, or participating in community events, volunteering can be a hands-on opportunity to make a difference while creating cherished memories. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of ideas for family-friendly volunteer opportunities in both the Atlanta and Charlotte communities.
As you plan your giving, mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday on December 3. Following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a global movement that celebrates and encourages generosity in all its forms. Many organizations offer matching gift opportunities on this day, helping you to maximize your impact and amplify your support for the causes that matter most to you.
Finally, as the year draws to a close, keep in mind that this is an especially busy time for processing charitable gifts. If you’re considering making year-end contributions, please be aware of some key deadlines. The cutoff for opening a new donor-advised fund or making charitable gifts and grants is December 15. Planning ahead helps ensure that your gifts are processed in time and that you can take full advantage of the tax benefits associated with your generosity.
Let this holiday season be a time for giving and building a legacy of generosity that can inspire and endure for generations.
Interested in learning how you can make charitable giving part of your holiday traditions? Talk to your SignatureFD advisor or contact Elizabeth Burdette, philanthropic advisor, at elizabeth.burdette@signaturefd.com.
