Guide to How to Voluntarily Give More to Government

Why this guide exists

Americans give nearly $600 Billion each year to charity and plenty of Americans feel a civic pull to support their favorite charity.[26] However, have you thought of the Country as something to Donate to? If so, you’re not alone – this sentiment is shared by many who want to pitch in more than their tax bill requires. If that’s you, there are established options to give to government at the Federal, State, and Local levels (and via government-adjacent nonprofits). This guide maps those options, gives you the how-to steps for each option, and clarifies what you can and cannot designate for specific areas of Government (earmark), and if they are eligible for Tax Deductions. There are many motivations for why someone may want to donate to our country, some believe in paying it forward, some believe they owe a debt to our country for the life America has afforded them, some think that its a civic duty for which they must contribute, others believe its important to provide to a society we all want to live in, some have come to this country and are thankful that a country like ours exist, and others have been fortunate and want to share that with others. Whatever your motivation, in the spirit of service if you want to help your country and give a little more than what is due, here is a simple guide on the lawful paths for you to contribute (no politics involved). [3][4]

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

John F. Kennedy

Government Giving Data

While there is no centralized repository or tracking of all Donations to Government there are reports across different pockets of Government to gather the scale of giving. For example: the Treasury’s debt-reduction gift program has collected roughly $67.3 million since late 1996. [5][1][2][9] Direct to agency donation data include the National Park Service received $81.4M in grants in FY 2024. [27] The Smithsonian states it raises $300 million annually from individuals, corporations, and other funders[28] Individual States have “Check Offs” on Income Tax forms to donate and designate funds. NY for example had $ in State FY 2022-23. [29] Collectively, these extra donations represent a huge amount of money, probably in the 10’s of billions.

While all of that giving is great, so is the scale of our challenges. Currently the US has a National Debt in excess of $38 Trillion, and the interest on the debt alone is over $1 Trillion annually. Add to that the annual budget deficit of over $1.8 for FY 2024, and you get a sense of the challenge. [30] Currently spending far exceeds revenue even with all the extra giving and the challenges only compound. See the Tax Project Article on Ways out of Debt and how we can Deleverage our Debt without a lot of pain. However, don’t let this discourage your philanthropic giving, every dollar counts and any efforts to offset these is helpful and worthwhile.

Donation Options

Not Available

While our Government does a great many things well, these simple options unfortunately are not available. Your Federal Tax return (Form 1040) does NOT contain an option to provide “Extra Gifts” or donations to Government. [11] Similarly, there is no Payroll “Withholding option” on your Form W-4 to select a donation to Government. [12][21] These are simple and obvious oversights, however to give our Government credit they may have not thought about asking for more at a time when many may feel they are already giving more than they can afford.

However, don’t despair, there are a number of options available for your to pursue your philanthropic interests to support our country.

Government Giving Options

Our government has a variety of mechanisms to give to our country at all levels of Government (Federal, State, and Local). This section gives an overview of those options, and there is a Quick Reference summary that will help you understand if you can designate the funds for specific uses (Earmarks), and if they are Deductible. Note – this is NOT financial advice, please contact your Accountant for specifics on your donations.

“Taxes are what we pay for civilized society.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes

1) U.S. Treasury: “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt”

What it is. Anyone donate to the Treasury specifically to reduce our National Debt held by the public. By law, gifts received under this authority must be applied to debt reduction; donors cannot direct funds for other uses. [2][5]

How to give (step-by-step).

1. Go to the official Pay.gov page titled “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt.”
2. Choose payment method (bank ACH, debit/credit card, PayPal, or Venmo) and complete the form.
3. Save your Pay.gov confirmation (or Treasury acknowledgement if using check/wire). Retain with your tax records. [1]

Tax treatment & records. Gifts to the United States for exclusively public purposes are generally deductible if you itemize. Standard percentage-of-AGI limits and substantiation rules apply [3][4]

Common misconceptions. This is a gift, not a tax payment: it does not reduce penalties/interest and cannot be “applied” to specific programs. There is no donor earmark and typically no special recognition beyond a receipt. [5]

Scale context (not advocacy). Treasury’s public dataset shows aggregate donations are modest relative to federal finances; think of this route as a civic gesture rather than a lever that moves macro totals. [0][10]

2) Federal Agencies and Programs: “Gifts to Specific Agencies or Programs”

What it is. Many federal agencies can accept donations to support their specific mission. For example the National Park Service (NPS) allows donations and philanthropic partnerships. In practice, donors often can support a specific park, trail, exhibit, or program—within legal/policy bounds. [6][7]

How to give (step-by-step).

1. Identify the agency and the specific program/project you want to support.
2. Locate the agency’s “donations,” “development,” or “partnerships” page. For larger gifts, you can expect a written gift agreement that states the purpose, acceptable uses, acknowledgment, and reporting.
3. Execute the gift directly to the agency (when accepted) or via an affiliated 501(c)(3) partner that can grant the donation to the agency under approved terms. [6][7]

Earmarking. “Targeted” use is often possible (e.g., a trail restoration at a named park), but the agency can promise only what law and policy allow. Where possible, if that is of interest, try to get specific details into the gift agreement to earmark funds for your intended use. [6]

Tax treatment & records. If the recipient is the U.S. (the agency itself) and the gift is for public purposes, it generally qualifies as deductible. If the recipient is a qualified nonprofit affiliate 501(c)(3), you’ll receive a standard charitable receipt from that nonprofit; the nonprofit then grants to the agency per the agreement. [3][4]

3) States: “Voluntary Check-offs and Direct Gifts to States”

What it is. Many states let taxpayers make Voluntary contributions on their state income-tax return to specific funding areas known as “Check-offs” (e.g. wildlife, veterans, education, etc.). Some also accept Direct gifts to named funds under statute. Programs vary and evolve; check your current state instructions. [14][15]

How to give (step-by-step).

• On your state return: choose among the Check-off funds and designate an amount. This is a State feature, not found on the Federal Income Tax Form 1040.) [15]
• Direct gift to a state fund: where authorized, donate to a designated fund or appropriation. For example: California code says a donor’s written designation must be credited accordingly; if no designation, the gift goes to the State School Fund. [16][17]

Earmarking. Check-offs provide a State selected menu of contribution areas in the form of Check-offs; Direct gifts may allow designation to a fund/appropriation. You generally cannot designate the use of funds within the program. [14][16]

Tax treatment & records. As with federal agencies, gifts to a state for exclusively public purposes typically qualify under if you itemize. If you don’t itemize federally, the federal deduction may not benefit you; however, separate state-level deduction/credit rules may apply. [3][4]

4) Local Governments: “Gifts to City, County, or School Districts

What it is. Cities, counties, school districts, and special districts often accept gifts for public purposes (e.g. library materials, parks and recreation, public safety equipment, or capital projects). Policies differ, so confirm what’s possible. [3][4]

How to give (step-by-step).

1. Contact the jurisdiction’s treasurer/finance or development office and request the gift acceptance policy.
2. If you want to target a purpose (For example: “replace shade sails at my favorite park”), confirm the entity can legally designate funds accordingly. You may also want to inquire if you designate does the municipality have the ability to repurpose the funding to other areas.
3. Execute the gift and obtain an official receipt or acknowledgment that describes the public purpose.

Earmarking. Some targeting is often possible (e.g. a named park or facility), but local entities must stay within legal and budget rules. Donor naming/recognition is not always available. [3][4]

Tax treatment & records. Gifts to political subdivisions for exclusively public purposes generally qualify under §170(c)(1) when you itemize; follow normal appraisal/substantiation rules for non-cash gifts. [3][4]

5) Government-adjacent nonprofits — more control, then a grant to government

What it is. If you seek greater control/visibility than government can offer, a 501(c)(3) partner (park conservancy, school foundation, or community foundation with a city fund) is often the practical route. You receive a charitable receipt from the nonprofit; the nonprofit then makes a grant to the government for the specified public project. This is common for capital improvements and program pilots. [6][7]

How to give (step-by-step).

1. Choose a credible nonprofit aligned with your goal and confirm it will grant to the public entity (timeline, milestones, reporting).
2. For larger gifts, ensure the grant agreement specifies purpose, budget, milestones, recognition (if any), and reporting.
3. Donate and keep the nonprofit’s charitable receipt as your tax documentation.

Trade-offs. You get the most control and storytelling via the nonprofit route, but dollars aren’t “government revenue” until granted and accepted—and the recipient agency must still comply with its acceptance/procurement rules. [6][7]

Quick Reference Guide

* Check with your Accountant for eligibility

Giving to your Country

Regardless of your motivation, donating to our government at any level, is a worthy cause and helps our country. All of the contribution options listed above are available today, so whether you prefer a neutral, no-strings contribution (Treasury debt retirement), a targeted public project (agency or state fund), or local improvements, or indirectly via a nonprofit partnership – all of these options support government services, and enhance the world we all share and live in. Could our government make it easier by making easy options available via our Income Tax or Payroll Tax filings, YES THEY COULD! However, don’t let that stop you with the many options available. If you want or believe you should donate or contribute more, by all means – GO FOR IT! Your country thanks you.

Citations

[0] FiscalData, “Gift Contributions to Reduce the Public Debt” dataset overview (monthly counts, API). (FiscalData)
[1] Pay.gov, “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt” (accepted methods include ACH, debit/credit, PayPal, Venmo). (Pay.gov)
[2] 31 U.S.C. §3113, Accepting gifts (authority to accept gifts to reduce the public debt). (TreasuryDirect)
[3] 26 U.S.C. §170, Charitable contributions and gifts (including §170(c)(1) for gifts to governments). (FiscalData)
[4] IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions (deductibility, percentage limits, substantiation). (FiscalData)
[5] TreasuryDirect, “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt” (program description and permitted forms of gifts). (TreasuryDirect)
[6] NPS Director’s Order #21 (Donations & Philanthropic Partnerships).
[7] NPS DO-21 / RM-21 reference materials.
[8] Axios, “Venmo the Treasury to help pay Uncle Sam’s debt? You can, if you really want” (program scale, new payment methods). (Axios)
[9] Pay.gov, “Donations to the U.S. Government” (additional donation form). (Pay.gov)
[10] FiscalData (MTS & America’s Finance Guide) — deficits overview (FY2025 ~ $1.78T). (FiscalData)
[11] CBO, Monthly Budget Review (FY2024 and FY2025 deficit about $1.8T). (Congressional Budget Office)
[12] IRS Form 1040 Instructions (no federal line to “donate extra” on the 1040). (Bureau of the Fiscal Service)
[14] National Conference of State Legislatures, “State Income Tax Checkoff Box Programs.” (FiscalData)
[15] Massachusetts DOR, voluntary contribution options (example state). (FiscalData)
[16] California Government Code §16302 (designation of gifts to specific state funds/appropriations). (FiscalData)
[17] California Department of Finance, “Gifts By and to the State.” (FiscalData)
[21] IRS “About Form W-4” and FAQs (withholding’s purpose; extra withholding yields a refund, not a gift). (Congressional Budget Office)
[23] Patriotic Millionaires, “Why We Don’t Just Write a Check to the IRS.” (Axios)
[24] Patriotic Millionaires, additional statements emphasizing policy over voluntary giving. (Axios)
[25] The Giving Pledge, “About the Giving Pledge.” (Fox Business)
[26] Giving USA 2025, (Giving USA)
[27] National Park Foundation, National Park Foundation – Annual Report
[28] Philanthropy at the Smithsonian, Smithsonian Institute, Smithsonian Institution
[29] Economic and Policy Insights, State of NY, NY State Comptroller
[30] 2024 Monthly Treasury Statement, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve