Donor Advised Funds
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a powerful tool for individuals, families, and businesses who want to support charitable causes in a flexible and strategic way. When you open a DAF at a community foundation, you gain more than just a giving vehicle—you become part of a mission-driven network dedicated to strengthening your local community.
Contact Traci Hiatt at traci@yvcf.org or (970) 879-8632 for more information.
1. Local Expertise & Personalized Service
- Community foundations have deep knowledge of local needs and nonprofits. Our staff can help you identify high-impact opportunities and connect you with causes that align with your values.
- Unlike national DAF providers, community foundations offer hands-on support. You’ll work with real people who understand your philanthropic goals and help you craft a giving strategy that reflects your vision.
2. Tax Advantages
DAFs offer immediate tax benefits:
- Receive an income tax deduction when you contribute.
- Avoid capital gains tax on appreciated assets.
- Grow your fund tax-free until you’re ready to grant.
3. Flexible Giving
You can recommend grants to any qualified nonprofit, locally or nationally, on your own timeline. There’s no pressure to give immediately—your fund grows until you’re ready.
4. Professional Stewardship
- Choose from professionally managed investment pools.
- Receive benefits similar to a private foundation, without the administrative responsibilities and government reporting requirements.
- Low service fees support YVCF’s mission and operations.
5. Family Legacy & Engagement
DAFs are a great way to involve your family in philanthropy. You can name successors, create a multi-generational giving plan, and instill charitable values in future generations.
6. Privacy & Simplicity
Give anonymously if you choose, and let the foundation handle the administrative work. You focus on giving; we handle the rest.
“While there are other ways to support worthy causes in the Valley and elsewhere, we decided to create a Donor Advised Fund because it allows certain tax and timing advantages that are not available in making direct gifts. Working with the Community Foundation, our Donor Advised Fund has been easy to administer, especially compared to the burdensome administrative headaches described by our friends who have family foundations.”
– Jim and Barbara Bronner
“Donor Advised Funds are a planning tool that offer some great advantages for a growing number of my clients, especially those who want to donate now, but are not yet decided on the charity or charities they want to give to. They are also useful for clients that have stock or other non-cash assets to donate. Many of my clients are talking with their tax advisors about how the new tax laws might change their strategy for charitable giving and how a Donor Advised Fund can benefit their planning.”
– Deb Conroy, Estate Planning Attorney with Keller Law and YVCF Board of Trustees member