Donating From Your IRA (Qualified Charitable Distribution)

Last updated: September 17, 2026

Thinking about giving from your IRA? If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)—a simple and tax-smart way to support a nonprofit directly from your retirement account.

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📘 What is a QCD?  |  ⚙️ How It Works  |  📋 Before You Get Started  |  🧠 Helpful Tips

📘 What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

  • 🤲🏽 A QCD allows you to donate up to $100,000 per year from your traditional IRA (or inherited traditional IRA) directly to a qualified charity.
  • 📉 This contribution can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and may help lower your taxable income.

 

⚙️ How It Works

  1. 🏛️ In most cases, your IRA custodian will issue a check made out to the nonprofit and mail it to the nonprofit’s mailing address (not to you personally).
  2. 📬 Some IRA custodians mail the check to you, so you can forward it to the organization yourself.
    • ✍🏽 Be sure the check is payable to the nonprofit (not deposited into your personal account) to maintain its tax-advantaged status.
    • 📤 Where do I mail it? If you’re not sure where the nonprofit’s mailing address is, please reach out to them directly. You can also contact our Support team at support@overflow.co for assistance.

 

📋 Before You Get Started

To ensure this approach is the best fit for your situation, we recommend:

  1. 📝 Checking with your IRA custodian to confirm how they handle QCDs. Some custodians may allow you to initiate the distribution online or through a paper form, so it’s a good idea to check their specific process.
  2. 💼 Consulting a Financial Advisor (or Tax Professional) who can help you understand the potential tax benefits. They can also identify any possible implications and ensure your gift aligns with your broader financial goals.

 

🧠 Helpful Tips

  1. 🗓️ Start early. Processing times can vary between custodians. Giving yourself extra time helps ensure your gift is received in the year you intended.
  2. 🙋🏽‍♂️ Include instructions. Ask your custodian to include your name and contact information with the check, so the nonprofit knows who the gift is from.
  3. 🧾 Confirm receipt. Once the check is mailed, you can monitor your Donor Profile to see if it appears in the Contributions module.
    • 📞 If it doesn’t show up, please reach out to the organization directly to confirm it was received and properly credited to your account.