Donor Advised Fund

• 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.
• 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

Benefits at a glance

• 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.
• 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.

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.