Donor Advised Funds
A personal approach to giving.

Opening a Donor Advised Fund allows you to make a gift to your community foundation, then remain actively involved in suggesting uses for your gift. You can work with our professional program staff to suggest ongoing uses for the fund — targeting the issues you care about the most. Grant awards are issued to charities in the name of the fund (or anonymously if you prefer). It’s a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.

Donor Advised Funds are convenient, flexible tools for individuals, families, businesses, or groups that want to be personally involved in suggesting grant awards made possible by their gifts. If you have a range of community interests, you may find that it’s an ideal vehicle for fulfilling your charitable wishes. Donor Advised Funds are typically less costly and easier to administer than other forms of philanthropic giving (such as family or corporate foundations).

Your gift can be combined with others to increase its impact, and you can add to the fund you establish at any time, receiving tax benefits with each new gift. You can establish a fund today and make grant recommendations now or in the future. And if you endow your gift, it becomes a permanent community funding resource.

Year-end tax planning: Have you just earned a large bonus, but no time to decide on the most deserving charities? Establish a Donor Advised Fund for an immediate tax deduction, and stay involved in your gift for years to come.

Simple alternative to private foundations: Thinking about establishing a private foundation, but looking for a better, simpler way? Or, frustrated with the ongoing management of your private foundation? Transfer your foundation to the Community Foundation through a Donor Advised Fund and stay personally involved with the distribution of gift dollars. Use community foundation grant expertise for community knowledge and greater impact. Compare the advantages of setting up a Donor Advised Fund versus a Private or Family Foundation.

Strategic giving: Passionate about meeting a specific community need and want to make a meaningful gift? Community foundation uses expertise in local need to recommend ways to make the greatest impact.

Sale of a business: Own highly appreciated stock in a company that is about to be acquired? Structure a charitable gift of stock before the company is sold to reduce capital gains and increase charitable deductions. Establish a Donor Advised Fund so a once-in-a-lifetime event can help you do good, forever.

Closely held stock: Personal net worth tied up in a closely held company, but want to give back? Donate a portion of company stock to the Community Foundation; the company may buy it back for fair market value.

Preserving an estate: Estate planning identifies significant taxes going to the IRS, but want to keep tax dollars local? Reduce taxable estate through a charitable bequest or other planned gift. Create a personal legacy in the community that stays true to your charitable intent forever.

There is so much more we’d like you to know. For more information and ideas on ways to integrate your financial planning with charitable giving, ask your financial advisor or contact the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley at (540) 869-6776 or info@cfnsv.org

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