If you have $1000 worth of crypto that you bought for $100 and donate it, you have $0 worth of crypto (because you gave it away) and e.g. $400 (assuming a 40% marginal tax rate) worth of tax savings.
If you sell the crypto instead and keep the money, you pay e.g. 33% (20% federal + 13% California) taxes on it, and you have $0 worth of crypto (because you sold it) and $670 worth of cash after taxes.