Planning Your Charitable Donations with a Donor Advised Fund
The majority of us have a plan for retirement, for education funding and for estate planning, but how many of you have a charitable giving plan? Having an effective charitable giving plan is one of the best ways to ensure that your contributions are being used according to your wishes and as effectively as possible. A Donor Advised Fund is a simple way to incorporate charitable giving into your overall financial plan and may provide personal and financial benefits.
Simplify Your Giving
You are not required to select a specific charity or cause at account inception. Also, grant recommendations can be made throughout the life of your account, allowing you more time to select the organizations that meet your philanthropic goals.
Enjoy Immediate Tax Benefits
Your contributions are tax deductible and may benefit from tax-free growth, enabling you to simultaneously give while reducing your tax liability. And, because your gift has the potential to grow over time, you may end up being able to recommend more charitable gifts from the account.
Account Funding
Donor Advised Funds are generally funded with cash, publicly traded stocks, mutual funds shares and bonds. Many will also accept other gifts, such as restricted stock, illiquid securities and real estate.
Important Questions to Ask
Can you recommend grants and verify account activity through secure online access?
How are the investments structured within the program? How frequently will you receive statements and notification of gifts made from the account?
Other Advantages of A Donor Advised Fund
Create a Giving Legacy — Designating an individual to succeed you in recommending charitable grants from the account enables your philanthropy to continue beyond your lifetime.
Grant Recognition — You decide whether to make grants anonymously or with recognition.
Cost Efficiency — Donor Advised Funds generally have lower fees and startup expenses than other related structures such as private foundations.
If you would like to learn more about Estate Planning, please call Brian P. Jacobs at 661-290-2022.