USING DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE GOALS
By Todd Eckler
Executive Director, Fiduciary Trust Charitable
OVERVIEW
Donor-advised funds, thanks to their flexibility, low costs, and tax advantages, provide an attractive vehicle for individuals and families to establish giving strategies in pursuit of their charitable objectives. Fiduciary Trust Charitable's donor-advised fund offering provides unique benefits.
Charitable giving in the U.S. has grown substantially in recent years. The latest report from Giving USA highlighted that 2016 represented the most generous year on record, as families, estates, foundations, and corporations delivered approximately $380 billion in gifts to charitable causes. As giving has increased, the ways through which people give have also multiplied. One of the more notable vehicles is the donor-advised fund (DAF), which has grown in popularity over the past decade and now accounts for nearly 10% of all U.S. charitable giving.
The enthusiastic adoption of donor-advised funds is likely due to a number of factors, including their flexibility and tax advantages. For many families, they also help instill values across generations. These benefits are reflected in the widespread growth over the past few years. As of year-end 2015, there were more than 269,000 DAF accounts with assets of over $78 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 11% and 12%, respectively. Meanwhile, total grantmaking from donor-advised funds has grown by nearly 17%, which underscores the level of engagement that tends to typify most DAF account holders.
For those unfamiliar with this vehicle, a donor-advised fund is sponsored by a public charity, such as Fiduciary Trust Charitable, through which an individual or family (the donor) establishes a fund for charitable gift purposes. The donor receives an immediate income tax deduction for contributions to the fund and can recommend that grants be made from the fund to IRS-qualified charities at any time. Once the donor gifts assets to the fund, the donor no longer has legal control of the assets. The fund can generally be invested in a manner consistent with the donor’s philanthropic goals and investment preferences.
THE BENEFITS OF DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS
Philanthropic initiatives can be accomplished through many different channels, so why choose a donor-advised fund? The following are some key benefits:
Tax Savings
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Immediate income tax deduction for contributions, subject to IRS limits
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No capital gains tax on appreciated securities donated to the DAF if they’ve been held for more than one year
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No tax on income or capital gains on investments in the DAF
Flexibility and Convenience
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The donor can request a grant to any IRS-qualified public charity, at any time
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Grants may be anonymous, if the donor desires, or given in the fund name the donor requests
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The donor can designate individuals to request current or future grants, even beyond the donor’s lifetime
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Investments can be managed considering donor goals and recommendations to the extent possible, given the sponsoring organization’s overall investment policy
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Contributions can be made to a specific DAF at any time, by anyone, including individuals, trusts and private foundations
Cost Efficiency
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Typically significantly lower cost than establishing a private foundation
The opinions expressed in this article and video are as of the date issued and subject to change at any time. Nothing contained herein is intended to constitute investment, legal, tax or accounting advice, and clients should discuss any proposed arrangement or transaction with their investment, legal or tax advisers. Contact FT Charitable for more information about the specific terms of our services.
