Giving guides. Clear next steps. Thoughtful coordination.

Giving starts with you, then finds a way.

A clearer way to give.

Find your starting point
Two adults preparing for a giving conversation.
Clear questions.
Better conversations.

There is no single right way to give.

Start with what matters to you.

Find an option.
Understand the next step.
Bring the right questions.

A couple talking through their giving plans.
A gift today.
A possibility for tomorrow.
A person holding a notebook.

Your intention.
Your starting point.

Ways to give

Start with
what you have.

You do not need to know the method.
Choose what is on your mind.

Two people in a giving conversation.
A simple beginning.

Give today

Make a simple beginning.

Explore a one-time gift, recurring giving, an employer match, or a tribute to someone who matters.

Explore giving today

Cash, bank, or card

A one-time gift from a bank account or payment card through the organization's own approved channel.

Usually minutes

Recurring gift

A monthly or scheduled gift managed through the organization's donation processor.

Minutes to start, ongoing

Publicly traded stock

Transferring eligible shares to an organization that accepts securities, through its brokerage or a stock-gift provider.

Several business days

Donor-advised fund

Recommending a grant from a donor-advised fund to an eligible organization through the fund's sponsor.

Days to weeks, set by the sponsor

IRA qualified charitable distribution

A distribution sent directly from an eligible IRA to an eligible organization by the IRA custodian.

One to several weeks

Cryptocurrency

Giving digital assets through an organization's approved crypto donation provider, which handles wallets and conversion.

Minutes to a few days

Real estate

Proposing a gift of property for the organization's review under its gift acceptance policy.

Weeks to months

Closely held business interest

Proposing a gift of shares or units in a private company for the organization's review.

Weeks to months

Gift in a will or trust

Naming an organization in your will or trust through your own attorney. Hope Opens does not draft documents.

One or more meetings with your attorney

Beneficiary designation

Naming an organization as a beneficiary of a retirement account, investment account, or policy using the provider's form.

Often one form

Life-income arrangement

A charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust arranged with qualified specialists and an authorized issuer or trustee.

Several weeks or longer

Life insurance

Naming an organization as beneficiary of a policy, or proposing a policy transfer for review.

Varies by insurer

Employer matching

Asking an employer to match an eligible gift through the employer's own program.

Weeks, set by the employer

Tribute or memorial gift

A gift made in honor or memory of someone, with an optional notification to a family member.

Usually minutes

Another or unusual asset

For tangible property, vehicles, intellectual property, restricted securities, or anything not listed here.

Depends on review

Each organization decides which gifts it accepts. Guides explain options and questions, not personal financial recommendations.

Your next step

A good gift starts
with a conversation.

Every guide helps you understand:

  • Who this option may fit.
  • The usual steps and timing.
  • What to ask the organization.
  • When to involve your own advisor.
See how it works
Conversation checklist

Before you begin

For your own use. Nothing is sent or saved.

For nonprofit teams

Keep the next step
in sight.

Nonprofit colleagues reviewing their next steps.

Donor Operations gives your authorized team a place for records, tasks, notes and followups.

Hopeful Bot helps staff send requests for review inside the workspace.

Explore the workspaceStaff sign in

The gift stays
with the organization.

Hope Opens provides education and coordination. We do not receive, hold, transfer or receipt donations, or provide tax, legal or investment advice.

Understand our role

Before you begin

A few good
questions.

Can I make a gift through this page?

This website explains giving options. Contact the receiving organization for its current giving instructions. Hope Opens does not process a gift or issue a receipt.

Do I need to know which method to choose?

No. Browse the options and use each guide’s questions to start a conversation with the organization or your own advisor.

Is Hope Opens the receiving nonprofit?

No. Hope Opens is an independent product for giving discovery and coordination. Hope Horizon East Palo Alto is its first Donor Operations workspace. Each organization’s access and records stay separate.

What does my team need to sign in?

Donor Operations is for people given access by their workspace administrator. Use Staff sign in at the top of any page.

Find your
way to give.

Explore the giving library