Meet Dani

Dani Richter, Director of Philanthropy at the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, has been helping Floridians make an impact for the past five years. A Tampa Bay native, Dani grew up fishing its waters and developed a lifelong love for Florida’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. She now combines her expertise in philanthropy with her passion for conservation and is excited to answer your questions. Contact her at [email protected].

November 2025

Dear Dani,

Giving Tuesday is coming up, and I want to make sure my year-end gifts really count. There are so many causes out there. What are some ways I can be smart about giving and make the biggest impact?

— Thoughtful Giver, Fort Myers, FL

Dear Thoughtful,

Great question, and I love that you’re thinking ahead. Giving Tuesday and the end-of-year giving season are the perfect time to support causes you care about, and a little planning can help your gift do even more good.

Here are a few simple but meaningful ways to make your giving count:

1. Consider giving stock or appreciated assets.

If you’ve had a good year in the market, donating stock instead of cash could be a smart move. You might be able to avoid capital gains taxes and still deduct the full value of your gift. That means more support for wildlife and potentially less owed to the IRS.

2. Use your IRA if you are 70½ or older.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) let you give directly from your IRA without paying taxes on the amount. It can also count toward your required minimum distribution, which is helpful if you need to take one this year.

3. Look into employer matching gifts.

Many companies match employee donations to nonprofits, sometimes even doubling the amount. This is an easy way to multiply your impact. Just check with your HR department or search your company’s name and “charity match” online.

4. Let the nonprofit know.

If you plan to give to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, we would love to hear from you. Knowing a gift is coming helps us plan ahead and ensures your generosity is used where it will do the most good.

Most importantly, remember that your gift matters no matter the size. Whether you are helping restore seagrass for manatees, protect panther habitat, or get more kids outside exploring wild Florida, you are making a difference.

Thank you for being part of this season of giving. Our wildlife and wild places are better off because of people like you.

Warmly,

Dani
Director of Philanthropy
Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida