Donor Advised Funds Make Giving Easy
A donor advised fund (DAF) enables you to make tax-deductible charitable contributions immediately, without having to identify nonprofit beneficiaries right away. Instead, your gifts are invested, based on your preferences, so that they may grow. Once ready, you can recommend grants from your fund to your desired, eligible nonprofits.
Your Charitable Giving Account
You can think about a donor advised fund (DAF) as an investment account for organizing your personal charitable giving. Instead of writing lots of checks to multiple individual nonprofits, you can make one or more larger contributions to your DAF. Then decide on the nonprofits you want to support.
The difference between using your personal checking account for giving and a donor advised fund is that contributions to a DAF are irrevocable gifts to public charity.
Based on your recommendations, grants are approved by The Foundation's Board of Directors and sent to qualifying nonprofits in the name of your fund (or anonymously if you choose). Funds are often named for families or individuals (e.g., the Smith Family Fund or the Jane Smith Memorial Fund) or for other positive associations (e.g., the Elm Fund).
How a Donor Advised Fund Works
Establish a fund
Contribute to your fund and be eligible for a tax deduction for the current year.
Grow your fund balance
While you decide on which nonprofits to support, your contributions are invested, and all growth is tax free.
Support nonprofits
When you’re ready, support your favorite nonprofit or find a new cause. We do all the paperwork.
Why a Donor Advised Fund?
- Simplicity in managing charitable giving
- Tax benefits today, increased impact tomorrow
- The ability to be an anonymous donor when you choose
Download a chart that compares the major differences between donor advised funds, supporting organizations and private foundations. Depending on your interests and needs, this chart can help assist you in determining the most appropriate charitable giving vehicle. (Source: National Philanthropic Trust)
Why Create a Donor Advised Fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven?
- Personal service to meet your goals and build your giving plan
- In-depth information on the nonprofit sector in our region
- Special Briefings on the critical issues facing our community
- A network of people dedicated to strengthening Greater New Haven
Since 1928, The Community Foundation has been Greater New Haven’s leader in charitable solutions, helping donors like you support their favorite causes in smart ways. With personalized service and expertise in handling donations from a wide range of assets, we have your needs covered.
Join with the many philanthropists in our community seeking to make their giving simpler and more effective.
Do you want to open a Donor Advised Fund today?
