Start building your charitable legacy with a donor advised fund and make a lasting impact that will make a difference for years to come.

By establishing a donor advised fund, you can create a charitable legacy that will endure for generations, providing support to causes that align with your values and priorities. Whether you want to support specific charities, leave a lasting legacy for your family, or make a meaningful impact on the world, legacy gifting through a donor advised fund can help you achieve your philanthropic goals. 

What is a Donor Advised Fund?

A donor advised fund is a philanthropic giving vehicle that allows individuals or organizations to make charitable donations to a fund, which is then managed by a nonprofit organization called a sponsoring organization. The donor retains advisory privileges over how the funds are distributed to charities, but the sponsoring organization has legal control over the fund.

Donor advised funds are typically established by making a tax-deductible donation of cash, securities, or other assets to the sponsoring organization. Once the donation is made, the donor can recommend grants to eligible charities from the fund. The sponsoring organization is responsible for ensuring that the grants comply with IRS regulations and charitable giving requirements.

Donor advised funds are a popular giving vehicle because they offer several advantages over other charitable giving options. Firstly, they allow donors to receive an immediate tax deduction for their charitable contributions while also retaining some control over how the funds are used. They also provide a convenient way to manage charitable giving and can be a useful tool for strategic philanthropy. Additionally, donor advised funds can be established in perpetuity, allowing donors to create a lasting charitable legacy.

Leave a Lasting Imprint on Hearts & Souls

With a charitable bequest to Rabbi Meir Baal Haness tzedakah in your will, you set us up as your messengers to replace difficulty and sadness with joy for many years to come.

Let’s Discuss Your Options

Leave a Lasting Imprint on Hearts & Souls

With a charitable bequest to Rabbi Meir Baal Haness tzedakah in your will, you set us up as your 
messengers to replace difficulty 
and sadness with joy for many 
years to come.

Let’s Discuss Your Options

Why Donor Advised Funds are a Popular Choice for Charitable Bequests

Donor advised funds have
gained prominence as a preferred vehicle for charitable bequests, offering donors a unique combination of advantages. Here are several reasons why donor advised funds are a popular choice for charitable bequests:
  • Control: Donor advised funds allow donors to retain a degree of control over their charitable giving, even after they pass away. By establishing a donor advised fund, donors can leave instructions for how their funds should be distributed to charities, ensuring that their charitable goals and values are carried out.
  • Flexibility: Donor advised funds are flexible giving vehicles that allow donors to support a variety of causes and charities over time. This flexibility can be particularly appealing to donors who may not be sure which charities they want to support in the long term or who want to support different causes as their philanthropic priorities evolve.
  • Tax Benefits:  Donor advised funds offer tax benefits for donors, both during their lifetimes and as part of their estate planning. By donating to a donor advised fund, donors can receive an immediate tax deduction for their charitable contributions, and their assets can grow tax-free over time. In addition, when the donor passes away, the remaining funds in the donor advised fund can be distributed to charity tax-free.
  • Simplicity: Donor advised funds are relatively simple to set up and manage, making them an attractive option for donors who want to create a lasting charitable legacy without having to manage a separate foundation or trust.

By establishing a donor advised fund as part of their estate planning, donors can ensure that their charitable goals are carried out in a way that is both tax-efficient and aligned with their values.

How to Gift Donor Advised Funds

Donor advised funds are a popular way for individuals or families to make charitable donations to causes they care about. To gift donor advised funds, follow these steps:

1 Choose a Donor Advised Fund

Start by selecting a reputable donor advised fund organization. There are many organizations to choose from, so it’s important to do your research and choose one that aligns with your philanthropic goals.

2 Make a Donation

Once you have selected a donor advised fund organization, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the fund. You can typically make a donation in the form of cash, securities, or other assets.

3 Recommend Grants

After you have made a donation, you can then recommend grants from the fund to charities of your choice. Most donor advised funds have an online portal or other tools that allow you to research and select the charities you want to support.

4 Monitor the Impact

You can continue to monitor the impact of your donations by staying engaged with the charities you support and keeping track of the grants you recommend from your donor advised fund.

It’s important to note that donor advised funds are subject to certain rules and regulations, so it’s a good idea to consult with a financial or tax advisor to ensure that your gifts are being made in the most effective and tax-efficient manner.

Common FAQ Related to Donor Advised Funds

What is a donor advised fund?

A donor advised fund is a philanthropic giving vehicle that allows donors to make charitable contributions, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund to qualified charities over time.

How does a donor advised fund work?

A donor advised fund is established by making a tax-deductible donation to a sponsoring organization. The donor can then recommend grants from the fund to eligible charities over time, while the sponsoring organization manages the fund’s investments and ensures that grants comply with legal requirements.

What are the tax benefits of a donor advised fund?

By making a donation to a donor advised fund, donors can receive an immediate tax deduction for their charitable contributions, and the assets in the fund can grow tax-free over time. In addition, when the donor passes away, the remaining funds in the donor advised fund can be distributed to charity tax-free.

Can a donor advised fund be established in perpetuity?

Yes, a donor advised fund can be established to last in perpetuity, allowing donors to create a lasting charitable legacy.

What types of assets can be donated to a donor advised fund?

Donors can donate cash, publicly-traded securities, and other assets such as real estate or closely-held business interests to a donor advised fund.

Can a donor advised fund be used to support a specific cause or charity?

Yes, donors can recommend grants from their donor advised fund to support specific causes or charities, provided that the recipient charities meet the eligibility requirements of the sponsoring organization.

How much does it cost to establish and manage a donor advised fund?

The costs of establishing and managing a donor advised fund vary by sponsoring organization, but typically include an initial contribution and an annual administrative fee. These fees are used to cover investment management, grant processing, and other administrative expenses associated with managing the fund.

Please take advantage of our prayer donation options, whereby a dedicated group of distinguished Torah scholars visit the burial place of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness to invoke his merit on behalf of our supporters and beneficiaries.

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