Donor-Advised Funds

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)

DAFs allow donors to make a gift, receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend grants over time. A donor can set up a DAF account by making an irrevocable donation to a named charitable giving account under a sponsoring organization (sometimes a public foundation but many times a financial institution like Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, etc.). Contributions can range from cash to securities or appreciated assets. The available tax deduction is for the current year, and can be more advantageous than a direct donation of assets. DAFs are invested in several ways, so the original contribution can continue to grow over time—even as a legacy.

How to Give from a DAF

DAF donations are made at the donor’s recommendation in the form of grants to eligible non-profits, such as ElderHelp of San Diego. The sponsoring organization provides ways to recommend nonprofits in their account information, but many nonprofits, like ElderHelp, allow you to make a DAF donation from a website. The DAF sponsor handles recordkeeping, disbursements, and tax information, and the nonprofit receives 100% of the donation.

Supporting ElderHelp with a DAF

You can support ElderHelp today by contacting your Donor Advised Fund manager to recommend us for a grant, or by using the DAF form in the sidebar.