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 include art, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, rare books, and stamp and coin collections.

At the DCF ‘s discretion, the foundation may accept donations of personal property, with proceeds being used to establish or add to an endowed charitable fund.

A simple bequest can be made easily through your will or revocable trust, donating a fixed amount or a percentage of your estate.

There are several different ways to use life insurance as a charitable giving tool. You can donate the cash value of a policy, or designate the DCF or a fund at the DCF as a beneficiary. You can even purchase a new policy and name the DCF as the owner and beneficiary, which typically makes the premiums tax deductible. It’s an easy way for you to make a meaningful gift in the future for pennies on the dollar.

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. Learn more.

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. Learn more.

The IRS classifies cryptocurrency as property for tax purposes, making it a tax-efficient way to give.

Types of Funds

Values Inclusion

Donor Advised

Remain actively involved in how your gift is used to help charitable organizations and causes.

Scholarship

Invest in students.

Values Excellence

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 considerDonor Advised Fund
Private Foundation
Legal identityComponent fund of DCFSeparate nonprofit entity
Tax statusPublic charityPrivate foundation
Tax on investment incomeNone2% of the net investment income
Payout requirementNoneGrants must equal 5% of fund balance annually
Deductibility of giftsDeductible up to 50% of adjusted gross income; gifts of appreciated property deductible (up to 30% of AGI) at fair market valueDeductible up to 30% of adjusted gross income; gifts of appreciated property deductible (up to 20% AGI) at cost basis—except publicly-traded stock deductible at fair market value
AdministrationAll record-keeping and accounting carried out by DCFDetailed annual filing with IRS
Grantmaking expertiseDCF broad community expertise and assistance to review and monitor proposalsYour foundation trustees and professional staff, if any (unusual for a small foundation)
Investment managementVarious options including DCF’s pooled investment portfolio as well as our Charitable Partners ProgramInvestment management responsibility rests with the private foundation
ControlYou or your designated fund advisors recommend grantsYour foundation’s trustees have complete control of distributions and responsibilities for asset management
CostNo cost to establish; modest administrative fee that is reduced as the fund growsSignificant start-up costs. Annual operating costs include legal and accounting fees, insurance, office space, staff, and miscellaneous expenses

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