February 2009

A donor-advised fund offers an easy way for a donor to make sig nificant charitable gifts over a long period of time. This fund is similar to a private foundation but requires less money, time, legal assistance, and administration to establish and maintain. Because donor-advised funds are public charities, they also enjoy greater tax advantages than private foundations. Cash and appreciated securities can be contributed to a donor-advised fund potentially making use of additional tax benefits. Private businesses and non-publically traded investments may also be eligible depending on the donor advised fund company’s rules and capability. Once funded, the donor-advisor fund consults with a donor about time horizon and risk tolerance to identify an appropriate asset allocation for their donor advised fund.