Crypto Giving, Demystified: Five Points Every Nonprofit Should Know
In the excerpt below—originally shared on The Breakthrough Blog by J. Paul Fridenmaker—TrustBridge CEO Bob Collins tackles the five questions he hears most often from charity leaders about crypto giving, and shares straightforward advice that can be put into practice right away.
Over the past few years, I’ve had many conversations with charity leaders about crypto. Some are excited. Many are cautious. Most just want clarity.
Crypto giving still feels mysterious to a lot of nonprofits. It’s fast-moving, full of headlines, and loaded with technical jargon. But underneath it all, the questions leaders are asking are actually very practical:
Is this safe?
Is it worth our time?
Who do we trust?
At TrustBridge, we don’t think every charity needs to become a crypto expert. But we do believe every charity should be prepared to receive gifts in the ways their givers want to give. That includes non-cash assets like cryptocurrency. Here are five questions I hear most often - along with simple advice you can act on right away.
1. Is this just a trend, or is crypto giving here to stay?
Short answer: It’s not going away.
Crypto giving is at an all-time high in 2024 and 2025, and the underlying technology and its donor appeal remain strong. What’s more important: some of your most forward-looking givers already hold crypto in their portfolios. They’re asking you to catch up - not the other way around.
Advice: You don’t need to bet on the future of blockchain. But you do need to be open to how your givers want to give today. Like stocks, real estate, or business interests - crypto is simply one more form of non-cash giving.
2. How do we accept crypto donations safely and legally?
This is the number one question we hear about crypto at TrustBridge.
The good news: You don’t have to handle the crypto directly. Trusted intermediaries (like a Donor-Advised Fund) can process the donation, issue receipts, and convert to fiat currency - all with proper compliance.
Advice: Don’t try to DIY this. Work with a trusted partner. You don’t need to be an expert - you just need to be well-connected.
3. Will crypto gifts cause a PR problem or mission distraction?
This is a fair question, especially with the volatility and media noise surrounding crypto.
But here’s the deeper truth: most givers who donate crypto aren’t trying to make a statement. They’re simply giving from where their wealth is held. If your policies are clear and your communication is thoughtful, it doesn’t need to be a distraction.
Advice: Stay focused on your mission. If a giver wants to support your work through a crypto gift, you don’t need to explain or defend the asset class - only your purpose and integrity in stewarding it.
4. Who in our ecosystem is actually able and willing to give this way?
Most crypto donors are under 50. Many are entrepreneurs. Almost all are digitally fluent and tax-savvy. They often hold donor-advised funds, give appreciated assets, and look for efficiency in their giving.
Advice: You don’t need to promote crypto giving to your whole database. But do make sure your major gift officers and board members know it’s an option - and can connect crypto-inclined givers to the right partner.
5. If we receive a crypto gift, what should we do with it?
In most cases, you’ll never “hold” the crypto directly.
Your giving partner (e.g. a DAF provider) will liquidate it on your behalf and send you the converted funds - this is the easiest path. That said, if you decide to accept the crypto yourself you should have a policy in place that outlines how non-cash gifts are received, acknowledged, and valued.
Advice: Establish gift acceptance policies (or update your existing one) that includes how you will handle cryptocurrency donations and if a partner will be involved. Make sure your finance and donor development teams know what to expect. And keep your language focused on non-cash giving - not just crypto.
If you're thinking about promoting crypto giving - or a giver has asked about it - don’t go it alone. TrustBridge Global Foundation exists to make strategic giving across borders (and across asset types) simple and compliant for charities around the world.
Before accepting any crypto gift, we strongly recommend you reach out to an experienced partner who can walk with you through the process. We're here to help.
The world of giving is always evolving, and crypto is just one more way generosity is finding new paths. What hasn’t changed is the heart behind every gift: a desire to make lasting impact. By staying open and prepared, charities can meet givers where they are today and build bridges for generosity that reach far into the future. At TrustBridge, we believe that when barriers fall, generosity flows—and together, we can ensure it flows to those who need it most.
Connect with our team to learn more about giving and receiving in crypto at info@trustbridgeglobal.com.