What is a Charitable Checking Account?

Charitable giving is meaningful, but the logistics can sometimes feel complicated. For donors across Herkimer and Oneida counties, tracking receipts, choosing where to give, and organizing documentation during tax season can delay even the best intentions.

A Charitable Checking Account is a streamlined account for charitable giving offered by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. Donors contribute funds to the account and then recommend grants to eligible nonprofits through a secure online portal, keeping their giving organized in one place.

Designed to remove common barriers to philanthropy, a Charitable Checking Account offers a simple, accessible way for individuals or families to support the causes they care about.

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about what a Charitable Checking Account is, how it works, and who it is designed to support.

Understanding Charitable Checking Accounts: How does one work?

• Open an account through the Community Foundation: Establish a Charitable Checking Account and make tax-deductible contributions at your convenience. Setting up an account begins by filling out a simple online form that takes just a few minutes to complete.
• Recommend grants online: Log into a secure online portal to recommend grants to eligible nonprofits serving the local area and beyond.
• Keep funds protected: Charitable Checking Accounts are not invested, so contributions are secure, do not fluctuate with the market, and remain fully available for grantmaking all throughout the year.
• Pay no fees and meet no minimums: There are no fees associated with opening an account and there is no required minimum balance, making them accessible for first-time donors, families, and individuals looking to build a consistent giving habit.
• Simplify year-end recordkeeping: Contributions and grant history are centralized in one place, making tax documentation easier to manage. "Charitable Checking Accounts were created to make giving simple and more accessible for our community,” said Morgan LaBella, Fund Development Manager at the Community Foundation. “We want to remove barriers so more people can support the nonprofits doing important work in our region and beyond.

Who should open a Charitable Checking Account?

A Charitable Checking Account from the Community Foundation is designed for individuals and families who want a simple, organized way to support their favorite nonprofits. It’s a strong fit for:

• Young professionals beginning their philanthropic journey and looking for an organized approach to giving
• Families who want to teach their children about generosity and involve them in charitable decisions
• Donors who support multiple nonprofits throughout the year and want their contributions centralized in one place
• Both first-time and experienced donors, thanks to no fees, no minimum balance requirements, and principal-protected funds

“These accounts are designed to be a simple, accessible, and convenient way for people to ease into philanthropy and begin giving back to their community,” says LaBella.

An account holder transfers cash, stock, or other assets to the Community Foundation to open a Charitable Checking Account and receives an immediate tax deduction. From there, the account holder can recommend grants to eligible nonprofits over time through a secure online portal.

Learn more at foundationhoc.org/charitablechecking.

Charitable checking accounts are considered to be an expendable donor-advised fund per IRS guidelines. Contributions made to the fund represent an irrevocable gift to the Community Foundation and the Community Foundation has exclusive legal control over this fund and all donations to it. Please consult a financial advisor regarding the tax deductibility of contributions made to this fund.

Article originally published in the Daily Sentinel on April 2, 2026.