Donor Advised Funds (DAF)

How the Donor Advised Fund Works

When you make a contribution to a Donor Advised Fund, you are then eligible for an immediate income tax deduction. Your taxable estate will also be reduced. Your contributions are invested in your choice of five diversified investment pools, three of which offer the potential for growth and one which targets wealth preservation, and the fifth, which is a money market fund. You may then recommend grants to IRS-approved (tax-exempt under Code Section 501(c)(3)) U.S. charities as described in the USCGT Gifting Booklet.

You are encouraged to consult with your tax advisor or accountant prior to finalizing the Donor Information Form. Tax benefits depend upon your individual circumstances.

Who’s Eligible to Donate

The DAF will accept contributions from individuals, companies, trusts, estates, and others. The DAF will also accept contributions from other donor-advised funds and private foundations, although such donations are not tax-deductible to the individual making the grant.

Acceptable Contributions

Cash.
Securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certain restricted stocks & privately held stock)
Real Estate.
A minimum initial donation of $10,000 is required, after which subsequent minimum $1,000 donations may be made.

Investment Options

Five professionally managed investment funds are available, each with different objectives and risk/reward profiles. All are invested in portfolios registered with the Securities and Exchange Commision and composed solely of DAF assets. You may allocate contributions among the five Funds. Transfers among Funds are permitted, with approval by the Board of Directors.

The Pool seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in common stocks. It has the highest potential for long-term appreciation (and depreciation) of the five available funds.

Designed for donors seeking the highest possible growth potential for their gift within the DAF and who are comfortable with the volatility associated with equity investing.

The Pool seeks total return by investing primarily in income-producing equity securities and investment-grade debt obligations. The Fund seeks to realize both capital appreciation and current income.

Designed for donors who wish their gift to grow but who are comfortable with a more conservative approach to equity investing.

The Pool seeks current income from a variety of debt and other income producing securities. The Pool's principal value will fluctuate.

Designed for donors who are uncomfortable with the volatility of equities, but wish to see their gift enjoy the growth potential of reinvested income.

The Pool invests in money market instruments and debt securities with low interest-rate risk. The Fund is not a money market fund and has some principal risk. The rate of income will vary, generally reflecting prevailing short-term interest rates.

The portfolio invests in high-quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments such as securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, and high-quality short-term obligations issued by banks and corporations.

Investment Advisor

Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates has provided professional investment management services since 1924 and is a recognized leader in tax-sensitive investment strategies. The company sells its products exclusively through financial advisors.

Account Features

You may choose any name for your DAF, subject to Board of Director approval. For example, you may select a name to reflect your philanthropic intentions, e.g., "The Jones Family Medical Research Philanthropic Fund," or you may choose a name such as "The Samuel. J. Jones Charitable Giving Fund."

You can add other individuals that you would like as Donor Advisors (a joint account), including your spouse, children, or other descendants or representatives.

You may name Successor Donor Advisors to continue the grant making process after your death.

You may change these account features at any time.

Grants

Donors and Donor Advisors may recommend grants of $250 or more at any time to qualified U.S. charities.

All grant recommendations are subject to review and approval of the Board of Directors.

Once approved, the grant check and accompanying letter will be sent to the recipient organization. The letter is personalized per the donor's instructions, unless requested to be anonymous, and provides the DAF's name and donor's information.

Donor Communications

All contributions, grants and transfers will have written acknowledgement mailed within five business days of processing.

Contribution acknowledgements serve as your tax receipts.

Quarterly statements report the account balance and transaction details for the period.

Internet account access available through My Charitable Fund.

Advantages Over Private Foundations

The DAF can be more advantageous than a private foundation and is far easier, as well as less expensive, to establish and maintain.

Enjoy Low Costs and Virtually No Paperwork

A DAF account has low administrative expenses and no out-of-pocket expense are required for account maintenance. There are also no legal or transaction fees. USCGT’s Trustee handles all of the record keeping and sends contribution confirmations that include the Trustee’s calculation of the associated income tax deduction.