In the world of philanthropy, financial planning is just as important as passion. Nonprofits and faith-based organizations rely on structured giving strategies to ensure that mission-driven work continues sustainably. In 2025, Thrivent financial planning for charities has become a cornerstone for many organizations seeking to maximize donor engagement, create lasting endowments, and build resilience in a volatile economic environment. This guide explores Thrivent’s charitable planning tools, the programs available for nonprofits, and the strategies organizations can use to strengthen their financial future.
What Is Thrivent vs. Thrivent Charitable?
Before diving into tools and strategies, it’s important to distinguish between Thrivent and Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing. Thrivent itself is a Fortune 500 financial services company offering insurance, investments, and financial advice. Thrivent Charitable, on the other hand, is a separate 501(c)(3) public charity that works alongside Thrivent to help donors and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals.
This distinction matters for charities because while Thrivent provides the financial expertise, Thrivent Charitable manages gift administration, donor-advised funds, and organizational endowments. For nonprofits, that means they aren’t just partnering with a financial institution—they’re also working with a mission-driven charitable entity that ensures donor intent is honored and organizations have stable access to funds.
Core Ways Charities Partner with Thrivent
Thrivent financial planning for charities is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, Thrivent and Thrivent Charitable offer a suite of programs designed to meet organizations at different points in their journey.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
DAFs are among the most popular charitable giving tools. Donors contribute assets to a fund, receive immediate tax benefits, and then recommend grants to charities over time. For nonprofits, DAFs mean access to larger, more consistent gifts while providing donors with flexibility and simplicity.
Designated Funds and Organizational Endowments
For nonprofits that want long-term financial stability, organizational endowments and designated funds are key. These vehicles allow donors to support a specific charity or cause, ensuring steady income streams that can be tapped in both good and difficult times.
Thrivent Choice®
Through Thrivent Choice, eligible nonprofits can receive charitable grant funding based on recommendations from Thrivent clients. While not guaranteed, this program opens the door for additional funding opportunities, particularly for faith-based organizations and churches.
Thrivent Action Teams
Action Teams empower Thrivent members to lead volunteer-driven projects. Each approved project comes with seed money, promotional resources, and volunteer support. For charities, this means both financial help and hands-on community engagement.
Gift Vehicles Every Charity Should Understand
One of the strengths of Thrivent financial planning for charities is its emphasis on diverse giving options. Charities that understand these vehicles are better positioned to educate donors and expand their funding streams.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
In 2025, individuals can donate up to $108,000 directly from their IRAs to eligible nonprofits through QCDs. These gifts count toward required minimum distributions (RMDs) and reduce taxable income for donors. For faith-based charities and community nonprofits, QCDs are a powerful tool to cultivate among retirees.
Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs)
A CGA allows donors to make a significant gift while receiving lifetime income. At the donor’s passing, the remainder supports the designated charity. This dual benefit—financial security for the donor and long-term support for the nonprofit—makes CGAs an attractive option.
Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs)
Charitable Remainder Trusts provide income to donors or their beneficiaries for a set term or lifetime, after which the remainder passes to charity. This strategy is particularly appealing for high-net-worth donors seeking to balance philanthropy with estate planning.
One-Time $54,000 IRA Rollover to CGA/CRT
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, donors can make a one-time transfer of up to $54,000 from an IRA into a CGA or CRT. For nonprofits, this represents a major opportunity to capture legacy gifts from older donors.
Appreciated Asset Donations
By donating appreciated assets like stocks, donors can bypass capital gains taxes while supporting nonprofits. Thrivent Charitable helps facilitate these transactions, making them seamless for both donors and organizations.
Building a Thrivent-Aligned Financial Plan for Your Nonprofit
Creating a sustainable future requires intentional planning. Thrivent encourages nonprofits to start with a clear understanding of their mission, operating needs, and long-term vision.
- Assess mission and cash flow needs: Determine how much support is needed for daily operations versus reserves or endowments.
- Select the right giving channel: Match donor intent with appropriate vehicles such as DAFs, designated funds, or Choice grants.
- Blend strategies: Use QCDs for steady annual income, DAFs for major gifts, and CGAs or CRTs for legacy contributions.
- Strengthen governance: Adopt gift acceptance policies, clarify how restricted vs. unrestricted funds are managed, and set reporting standards.
- Leverage tools: Thrivent Charitable offers calculators and dashboards to illustrate giving scenarios, helping nonprofits communicate effectively with donors.
Enrollment and Readiness for Thrivent Programs
To access programs like Thrivent Choice, nonprofits must first enroll and provide annual documentation. This ensures compliance and allows organizations to receive grant funding when recommended by members.
For Action Teams, nonprofits should build a simple playbook of project ideas—community meals, service drives, or educational events—that members can easily lead. Meanwhile, organizations considering an endowment should work directly with Thrivent Charitable to establish guidelines and spending policies.
Tax, Legal, and Compliance Considerations
Navigating charitable finance means staying compliant with IRS rules and evolving legislation. Nonprofits should note that:
- QCDs can only be directed to certain types of funds (such as non-advised funds, not DAFs).
- Thrivent Choice grants are discretionary, not entitlements, so organizations should avoid over-reliance.
- SECURE 2.0 updates in 2025, including expanded RMD ages and higher QCD limits, affect donor behavior.
Working with a Thrivent advisor or nonprofit attorney helps ensure compliance and maximizes benefits for both donors and organizations.
Donor Engagement Strategies with Thrivent
To fully leverage Thrivent financial planning for charities, nonprofits must engage donors at every stage of life.
- Pre-retirees may be drawn to donor-advised funds for their flexibility.
- Retirees at RMD age are ideal candidates for QCD education.
- Legacy givers may be most interested in CGAs or CRTs.
Beyond financial vehicles, nonprofits should use storytelling to highlight impact, report consistently on how funds are used, and encourage members to lead Action Teams for ongoing visibility.
Measuring Impact and Long-Term Success
Sustainable financial planning requires measurement. Nonprofits should track:
- The ratio of unrestricted to restricted gifts
- Endowment performance and spending rates
- Donor retention from DAF pipelines
- Annual inflows from QCDs and planned gifts
Thrivent also recommends preparing for market volatility by maintaining unrestricted reserves and diversifying gift vehicles.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even with Thrivent’s tools, nonprofits must avoid common mistakes:
- Relying on Choice Dollars as guaranteed funding
- Accepting QCDs into ineligible advised DAFs
- Ignoring membership requirements for Action Teams (limits per year)
By understanding these pitfalls, charities can manage donor expectations and avoid compliance issues.
A 90-Day Action Plan for Nonprofits
To get started with Thrivent financial planning for charities, nonprofits can follow this timeline:
- Days 1–30: Verify eligibility for Thrivent Choice, enroll or renew, and draft a gift acceptance policy.
- Days 31–60: Host a donor education session on QCDs and DAFs; schedule two Action Team projects.
- Days 61–90: Establish an organizational endowment and begin planned giving conversations with major donors.
This structured plan ensures nonprofits are ready to maximize Thrivent’s charitable tools in under three months.
Conclusion
In 2025, Thrivent financial planning for charities stands as a vital partnership model for nonprofits seeking stability, donor engagement, and long-term growth. From donor-advised funds and QCDs to Action Teams and endowments, Thrivent offers a wide array of tools that empower organizations to align their financial planning with their mission. By blending strategy with storytelling and compliance, nonprofits can not only survive but thrive in an increasingly complex philanthropic landscape.
For charities, the key takeaway is simple: financial planning is mission planning. With Thrivent’s support, organizations can create a resilient foundation for the future—one that ensures every dollar has a lasting impact.
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