DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
Experience a Donor advised fund
A Donor Advised Fund offers individuals and families the ease and flexibility of giving, similar to a private foundation but without all the expense and administration. Gifts of cash or appreciated securities can be donated to set up your fund. You use your fund to make grants to charities over a period of time. Your gift can grow tax free through several investment options. You can also set up a Donor Advised Endowment Fund to build a fund that will give to charities in perpetuity and pass your giving tradition on to future generations of your family. The Community Foundation will do all the administration so that you can focus on your philanthropy.
Give – Grow – Grant
GIVE
Make a contribution of cash or appreciated securities to Whitefish Community Foundation and qualify for an immediate tax-deduction. You can add additional gifts to your fund at anytime.
GROW
Recommend your investment preference to grow your Fund and increase your charitable giving over a period of time. Your Fund will grow tax free. There is no minimum amount you need to grant each year.
GRANT
Make grant recommendations as often as you would like. We will handle the due diligence and quickly process your grant requests. We offer online account access. $250 grant request minimum.
Easy to Set up
- With an initial gift of $5,000 or more you can start a fund.
- You receive an immediate tax deduction when you make your gift.
- Additional contributions to your fund can be made at anytime.
- You have the option to invest your fund, grow the principal tax free and give it out over time.
- You can start supporting charities right away.
- We will handle all your fund administration including:
- Due diligence on all your grants to ensure the nonprofit is a 501(c)(3) and in good standing with the IRS
- Investment oversight – if you select to invest part of your funds
- Check writing and communications with nonprofit organization
- No tax receipts to keep track of. Once you make your contribution to the fund, you only need to retain the tax receipt from WCF
Establishing a Donor Advised Fund is easy and only takes a few minutes. Simply download the DAF Agreement, fill it out, and return it by mail or email to Whitefish Community Foundation. You can send a check or call us to donate appreciated securities or transfer by ACH. We are ready to help you. CALL US 406-863-1781.
How Does a Donor Advised Fund Work?
- You make a gift of $5,000 or more to establish a donor-advised fund or $15,000 for an endowed advised fund.
- You receive an immediate federal tax deduction on cash gift amounts up to 60% of your adjusted gross income (30% AGI on contributions of appreciated stock) and one tax receipt to retain from the Foundation.
- Additional gifts of cash or appreciated securities can be made at any time to grow your fund.
- Over time, you recommend grants from your named fund to charities.
- We make it easy for you to support local charities as well as charities around the country. You can recommend grants to any qualified 501(c)(3) charity.
- We offer online fund access and online grant submissions so that you can access your fund, check your balance and investment performance, and recommend a grant from anywhere you are located.
- A low administrative fee of .60% (60 basis points) or less is charged annually. See Administrative Fee Structure
- Your fee supports the work of the Whitefish Community Foundation to help local nonprofits benefit our communities.
- We offer confidentiality in all your charitable giving.
- You can name your fund after you, your family, or any name you choose. You can be completely anonymous in your giving or choose to be recognized for your generosity.
- You can invest your fund just like any commercial Donor Advised Fund and we offer several investment options for you to choose from.
- With a fund at the Community Foundation, you will have access to the current and important needs in the community.
- The Community Foundation will take care of all the due diligence in all your grant-making: The Community Foundation verifies that your grant recommendations meet the grant-making policies and that the grantee organization is a qualified public charity or governmental entity.
It’s easy to set-up and to get started.
Download your Donor Advised Fund package today:
Compare to a Private Foundation
Donor Advised Fund vs. Private Foundation
- A Donor Advised Fund offers many of the benefits of a private foundation without the added expenses and administrative burdens.
- Your Fund can be invested and it will earn tax-free investment earnings.
- We do all the record-keeping for you and there is no 990 to file.
- No minimum annual distribution to meet unlike a private foundation.
- You are recognized for your grant recommendations or you are able to remain anonymous unlike a private foundation where you must disclose your grants on your form 990.
- Just like a private foundation, you are able to set-up successor advisors on your fund and include your children in your family philanthropy.
ENGAGE YOUR FAMILY
- Engage in family giving services – participate in family discussions and activities with Whitefish Community Foundation facilitators to create a family mission statement and philanthropic plan. A one-page Fund History can be included with each of the grants to inform the grantee about the fund family history.
GIVE WITH FLEXIBILITY
- You are eligible for a tax deduction upon receipt of your donation into the account.
- Avoid capital gains by donating long-term appreciated assets such as public or privately held stock, real estate, mutual funds, and life insurance into the account.
- Decide the timing of your grants to charity – contribute to your fund and recommend grants over a period of time or years.
GIVE WITH CONFIDENCE
- Take advantage of our philanthropic services. Tell us what you want to accomplish or what you care about – we’ll help you focus your resources to make the most impact.
- Keep updated on local and regional needs that are relevant to your interests and passion.
Low administrative Fees
Our low annual administrative fee covers the costs of processing transactions and grant due diligence. Your fee supports the important work we do to help our community.
Flexible investment options
We offer several investment options to help grow your fund over time and achieve your charitable giving goals. Your gift will grow tax-free and your charitable giving will be maximized.
professional investment management
Our assets are under the professional management and responsible oversight of Mason Investment Advisory Services.
