Ways to Give
Our Philanthropic Services Team will help you and your clients find the best way to achieve their charitable goals. Among the many ways to give are:
A gift of cash by check or credit card is a simple, direct way to establish a fund or add to an existing fund.
Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and matured certificates of deposit can be donated to establish or add to a fund at the DCF. Business owners often enjoy tax advantages by making gifts of closely held stock in their companies.
Personal residences, vacation homes or land can be donated to the DCF, with the proceeds being used to add to or open an endowed charitable fund. This can result in significant tax advantages, particularly for property that has been owned for many years and appreciated in value.
Gifts of tangible personal property — such as art, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, rare books, and stamp and coin collections — can be donated to the DCF.
A simple bequest can be made easily through your will or revocable trust, donating a fixed amount or a percentage of your estate.
You can make a meaningful gift for pennies on the dollar by designating the DCF or a fund at DCF as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. You can also donate your existing policy to the DCF by naming the DCF as policyowner and beneficiary.
You can help to transform lives and avoid taxes associated with retirement plan assets by designating the DCF as a beneficiary.
If you are 70 ½ or older, you may be able to transfer up to $100,000 a year directly from your IRA to a new or existing fund at the DCF. (Donor advised funds are not eligible.) This distribution is excluded from your taxable income and can be especially useful for those who don’t need the income from the required minimum distribution.
Through a charitable remainder trust and similar vehicles, you may be able to make a gift that generates a guaranteed stream of income for you or a loved one, for a period of years or a lifetime, and support the DCF or one of its funds.
The IRS classifies cryptocurrency as property for tax purposes, making it a tax-efficient way to give.
Types of Funds
Donor Advised
Remain actively involved in how your gift is used to help charitable organizations and causes.
Scholarship
Invest in students.
Designated
Assign your gift’s earnings to the organization(s) of your choice, for a set time or in perpetuity.
Field of Interest
Establish a permanent, flexible source of charitable dollars to support a cause you care about.
Thinking about a private foundation? Consider a donor advised fund instead.
Philanthropists often find that a donor advised fund empowers them to achieve their charitable goals without the expense and administrative hassle of a private foundation. Download this comparison chart for more information, and contact us to discuss.
| Points to consider | Donor Advised Fund | Private Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| Legal identity | Component fund of DCF | Separate nonprofit entity |
| IRS classification | Public charity | Private foundation |
| Tax on investment income | None | 1.39% of the net investment income |
| Payout requirement | No set minimum, but DCF requires active grantmaking at least every other year. | Grants and other distributions must equal 5% of foundation assets annually. |
| Tax deduction limits for gifts of cash | 60% of AGI | 30% of AGI |
| Tax deduction limits for gifts of stock or real property | 30% of AGI | 20% of AGI |
| Administration | All record-keeping and accounting carried out by DCF | Detailed annual filing with IRS |
| Grantmaking expertise | DCF offers expertise in local nonprofits and the community and can help with grantmaking. | Your foundation trustees or professional staff is responsible for all nonprofit research and the grantmaking process. |
| Investment management | Choose from one of the DCF’s investment pools or explore options for working with a Charitable Partner. | Investment management responsibility rests with the private foundation |
| Control | You or your designated fund advisors recommend grants | Foundation trustees have complete control over distributions and responsibility for asset management. |
| Cost | No cost to establish; modest fee rate that decreases as the fund grows. | Significant start-up costs. Annual operating cost include legal and accounting fees, insurance, office space, staff and other expenses. |
| Staffing | DCF staff provides comprehensive financial, administrative and grantmaking support. The fund cannot make payments to individuals. | Must identify, hire, oversee and pay staff. |
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