A Charitable Savings Account (CSA) is a personal account where you set aside money for charitable giving over time. If you've used an HSA or FSA before, the concept is similar. Money goes in, sits in your account, and you decide when and where it goes out. The difference here is that the funds are earmarked for charitable giving rather than healthcare.
The Charitable Savings Account provides a structured way to plan your giving, grow your contributions, and support the causes you care about on your own schedule.
How does a Charitable Savings Account work?
You can add funds whenever you'd like, either as a one-time contribution or on a recurring basis through payroll deduction. Personal contributions to your CSA may be tax-deductible if you itemize your deductions and are reserved exclusively for charitable use.
Depending on your employer, your account may also receive additional funds through a company giving program as a benefit. This could include a donation matching program or a Giving Bonus, a feature some employers offer that deposits funds directly into your account to support the causes you care about.
When you're ready to give, you choose from eligible nonprofits. Your full giving history stays in one place, so you can always see the impact you’ve made. Givinga Foundation will also provide you with a year end tax receipt.
Why use a Charitable Savings Account?
The Charitable Savings Account (CSA) provides employees with a way to plan their charitable giving the same way they plan every other expense, on a schedule, with a budget, and with a clear record of where their money went.
- Simplified giving: One account for all charitable contributions and a single tax receipt at year-end
- Connect with payroll: Automatic contributions each pay period to boost engagement
- Maximize tax benefits: Ensure all available tax benefits are received
- Give to any nonprofit: 2.1M+ vetted organizations
- Portable: They keep it if they leave. No forfeiture, no starting over
What charities can I donate to?
You can donate to a wide range of eligible nonprofits through your Charitable Savings Account. To be eligible, a U.S. charity must be a registered 501(c)(3), in good standing with the IRS, and approved to receive tax-deductible contributions. That covers organizations across just about every cause area.
Are there restrictions on who I can support?
All donations must meet IRS guidelines for charitable giving, so if an organization doesn't qualify as a 501(c)(3), it may not be available on the platform. Your employer may also have additional restrictions in place based on company or program policy.
How is a Charitable Investment Account different from donating directly?
Direct donations are one-time decisions. You give in the moment, you get a receipt, and tracking it across multiple organizations takes effort. A CSA gives you a dedicated account, centralized records, and the flexibility to plan ahead rather than react. The giving becomes something you manage, not something that just happens.
Can I withdraw funds from my CSA?
No, once funds are contributed to your CSA, they are irrevocable and cannot be withdrawn for personal use.