Donation Payment Options
We strive to make it easy to donate to effective charities. To that end, we offer a number of donation and donation payment methods.
- Donations made via thelifeyoucansave.org are tax-deductible in the U.S. For information about tax-deductibility in other countries, please view our Tax Deductibility page.
- The Life You Can Save does not take any percentage of your donation unless you select this option when donating – payment processing fees may be deducted according to the payment processing channel you choose to donate through. As part of our mission to end global poverty, our digital book, tools and services are free, and always will be. You can help us by making a donation to The Life You Can Save itself.
Credit Card
Credit Card donations to our recommended charities can be made here on our website.
When donating by credit card, 3.7% + standard credit card fees are deducted by our third-party donation platform (Donorbox) and payment processor (Stripe).
For larger donations, we recommend donating by check, Zelle, ACH, or bank/wire transfer to ensure 100% of your donation goes to your chosen charity (see below for details).
Bank Transfer, Check, Zelle, ACH & Wire Transfers, Direct Debit or Direct Deposit
100% of your donation will be granted to the charity or charities of your choice. We do not incur any fees when you choose one of these payment options.
- Please fill out this form.
- After you submit the form, you will receive an email with a unique donation reference number and information about how to complete the donation.
- Follow the steps laid out in your follow up email
- If you need assistance please email info@thelifeyoucansave.org
Chase Bill Pay
Customers using Chase Bill Pay can now search for The Life You Can Save in Chase’s directory. The Life You Can Save will get paid electronically, without the hassle of managing checks.
Cryptocurrencies
Please visit our Donate Crypto page to learn more about how to make a cryptocurrency gift in support of The Life You Can Save itself or any of the nonprofits we recommend. Our cryptocurrency donations are processed by Crypto for Charity which currently accepts a wide variety of popular cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Crypto for Charity charges zero fees for processing donations, making cryptocurrency a highly efficient way to give.
If you have any questions about donating cryptocurrency, please contact cryptoinfo@thelifeyoucansave.org.
PayPal Giving Fund
PayPal Giving Fund can be used to make donations to The Life You Can Save itself. PayPal does not charge any fees on donations made via this page.
- Donations via PayPal Giving Fund are tax-deductible in the U.S.
- Your donation receipt will come from PayPal.
PayPal
PayPal can be used to make donations designated to any of our Cause Funds or to The Life You Can Save itself. This payment method also allows you to set up recurring donations. The PayPal fee is 2.2% + $0.3 per transaction.
- Donations via PayPal are tax-deductible in the U.S.
- Your donation receipt will come from PayPal.
Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
To donate through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) with Fidelity, Schwab or BNY Direct, please click here.
This tool will connect you to your DAF provider’s website where you will complete your donation request as normal. The DAF Direct tool allows The Life You Can Save to know about any donations you make to us.
For other DAF Providers, in your normal process select The Life You Can Save as the nonprofit organization. In the notes/memo/comments section, please indicate how you would like your donation to be allocated – to The Life You Can Save itself or any of our recommended charities.
If you have any questions about donations through DAFs, please contact our Finance Department.
Charitable Donations from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) have been permanently extended. Individuals can donate up to $100,000 per year directly from a traditional or Roth IRA to qualifying charities.
Qualified charities include most public charities (including religious institutions, certain veterans’ organizations, fraternal societies, and community foundations that provide scholarships) that are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
If you wish to make a donation to a charity, there are potential benefits to contributing as a QCD. This method may be able to provide tax benefits whether or not you itemize your deductions. In addition, a QCD can satisfy all or a portion of your required minimum distribution (RMD).
As eligible distributions are non-taxable, federal and state taxes do not have to be withheld.
One of the key benefits of QCD’s for those who don’t itemize deductions is that if they are used as the funding source for charitable donations, the donor will receive tax benefits when there are otherwise would have been none due to the use of then standard deduction.
When a QCD is made, the distribution will be reported on form 1099-R and you will need to work with your tax professional to properly indicate a QCD on your tax return. You should also obtain a receipt from the charity and send it and your 1099-R to your tax professional.
If you wish to make a QCD, you should reach out to the advisor or firm where your IRA is held.
Stock Donations
Donating stock is a powerful way to make an impact. Please submit this form and you will receive the brokerage details to facilitate your gift of appreciated assets.
Planned Giving / Gifts in Wills
To learn more about including The Life You Can Save or our recommended charities in your will, please check out our Gifts in Wills guide or contact info@thelifeyoucansave.org. Create your own legal will today with FreeWill at no cost.
Employee / Payroll Giving
The Life You Can Save and many of our recommended charities are registered on various employee and payroll giving platforms such as Benevity, Bright Funds and YourCause. Speak with a representative of your Payroll or Human Resources team to see if your organization participates in payroll giving.
Corporate Matching
Many companies provide matching gifts for all or part of their employees’ donations. Please visit Double the Donation to see if your company will match your gift.
To have your company match your gift, you can often simply provide the donation receipt to your employer. If you have any questions or if your employer requires more information, please contact us.
Our Mailing Address: The Life You Can Save, PO Box 2135, Novato, CA, 94948
Our EIN (Employer Identification Number): 46-2100400
