Demystifying Donor Advised Funds

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a giving vehicle established at a public charity. It allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction and then recommend grants from the fund over time. These contributions may include cash, stock, real estate, or other assets. While DAFs were first created in the 1930s, they began to gain popularity in the 1990s and today are philanthropy’s fastest growing vehicle, accounting for 3% of all giving. Enjoyed leading a webinar yesterday for Goodwill Industries International — Demystifying Donor Advised Funds — in which I discuss donor advised funds, how they differ from private foundations, tips for engagement, critiques and potential reforms.