Young COY (Cub-of-the-Year) Holding its hands

Photo: Shannon Curtis

Make Your Year-End Gift Count — for Polar Bears, People & Our Planet

By Amy Lester

MINS

 

18 Nov 2025

As the year draws to a close, it’s an ideal time to reflect on what truly matters: our planet, its incredible wildlife, and the people and communities who depend on a healthy Arctic ecosystem. At Polar Bears International (PBI), we’re advancing vital science, strengthening human–wildlife coexistence, educating the next generation, and engaging policymakers to safeguard a future where polar bears thrive.

Here are five ways you can amplify your impact this year while aligning with your financial and philanthropic goals.

1. Accelerate Your Giving This Year

With tax laws evolving, giving now may offer enhanced benefits and help you make an even greater difference. By donating before December 31, you not only provide immediate support for polar bear conservation efforts, but you may also optimize your tax-deductible opportunity.

2. Determine Your Deduction Strategy

If you itemize your deductions, evaluate whether you’re able to leverage them this year—now may be the year to give a little more or leverage “bunching” strategies (combining several years of giving into one) to clear the itemizing threshold.
Even if you don’t itemize, planning your gift now gives you the flexibility to time your charitable strategy while the current tax framework is in effect.

Mother bear with one cub standing behind her and another cub cuddled up next to her.

3. Give Non-Cash Assets — Stocks, Appreciated Property, Crypto

Beyond cash gifts, consider donating long-term appreciated assets. These may offer dual benefits: eliminating capital gains exposure and providing an eligible deduction for the fair market value. Such gifts deliver meaningful support to PBI’s mission while helping you manage your portfolio more tax-efficiently.

4. Explore Your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) or Charitable Vehicle

If you already have a DAF or are considering one, now is a great moment to review whether you could direct a large, strategic contribution into it, then recommend grants to PBI in the years ahead. This approach gives you the deduction today, while the impact unfolds over time.

5. Take Action Before Year-End

Time is limited. You’ll need to complete your gift commitment by December 31 to count for this tax year—and when using non-cash assets or DAFs, some extra lead time may be required. Start now: review your giving plan, talk to your tax advisor or financial professional, and let PBI’s team know you intend to make a year-end gift so we can ensure your support is put to the greatest use.

A mother polar bear and her three triplet cubs relax and play

Why it matters to Polar Bears International

Your year-end gift empowers our work across:

  • Cutting-edge Arctic science and monitoring that informs polar bear survival strategies

  • Outreach and education programs that engage youth and global audiences in climate action

  • Community-based coexistence initiatives help people and polar bears live side-by-side with fewer conflicts

  • Policy efforts that shape climate resilience and habitat protection.

Your generosity today helps ensure a future where polar bears continue to roam ice floes, where people thrive in Arctic communities, and where our shared world becomes more resilient.

Thank you for being a vital part of our mission and for your valuable investment to protect our future—for polar bears, people, and our planet.

We're Here to Help

If you have questions about giving options, need assistance with stock or DAF gifts, or would like to discuss how your support can make the greatest impact, please feel free to reach out:

Amy Lester, Major Gifts Officer
Email: alester@pbears.org
Phone: (406) 530-5435

Important Note

Polar Bears International does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice.
We strongly encourage all donors to consult with their personal tax advisor or financial professional to determine the charitable giving approach that best aligns with their individual circumstances.