For many wealthy philanthropists in the US, structuring a charitable gift as a pledge is quite appealing: It’s typically a way to make a large gift in installments to your alma mater, local hospital, or another non-profit you admire. Here are a few issues to consider before you enter into an agreement with a qualified charity to give it a large sum over a set period of time.

■ Only contributions made during the tax year are deductible. Thus, if you pledged this year to donate $100,000 to your favorite charity but pay the charity only $25,000 by December 31, you can deduct only $25,000 this year.

■ Be sure you’re comfortable locking in the obligation. If you know that you want to make a sizable charitable gift but are not comfortable picking just one charity, a gift to a donor-advised fund (DAF) or a series of gifts may make more sense for you.

■ Failure to donate all the money pledged may disrupt the programs or capital campaigns it was intended to support. If you care about the charity, you won’t want to do that.

■ If the pledge is structured as a legally enforceable contract, the charity can sue you or your estate to recover the unpaid portion of the pledge, under certain circumstances.

■ If you have a foundation or DAF, it cannot benefit you by fulfilling a personal pledge you made. Both the IRS and some states impose harsh fines for “self-dealing.”

■ Consult with competent legal or tax counsel before you make a pledge. Even if the pledge isn’t structured as a contract, you should ensure that your interests are protected.

The views expressed herein do not constitute and should not be considered to be, legal or tax advice.The tax rules are complicated, and their impact on a particular individual may differ depending on the individual’s specific circumstances. Please consult with your legal or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.