A donor advised fund, or “DAF” as some people call it for short, is a charitable giving vehicle that allows donors to contribute, receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to their favorite charitable organizations, like The WARM Place. Here’s how you can give through a donor advised fund:
- Recommend a one-time grant
- Set up a recurring grant
- Name The WARM Place as the beneficiary of your donor advised fund
- Ask your employer to match your DAF gift
For Individuals Who Already Have a Donor Advised Fund
If you already have a DAF established, there are several meaningful ways to maximize its impact:
- Review your grantmaking strategy: Consider scheduling recurring grants to The WARM Place so your support continues throughout the year.
- Bundle giving for greater impact: You can consolidate multiple smaller gifts into one larger grant recommendation, which often reduces administrative work and provides stronger support for the organization.
- Engage your family: Invite children or loved ones to help recommend grants. This can be a powerful way to pass on your values of generosity and community care.
- Check for unused balances: Many donors forget that even modest amounts left in a DAF can make a difference. Reviewing your fund regularly ensures no charitable dollars go unused.
- Explore legacy planning: Beyond naming The WARM Place as a beneficiary, you can designate successors to continue recommending grants after your lifetime, creating a family tradition of giving.
- Leverage investment growth: If your DAF is invested, consider how gains can be directed toward charitable causes. Even small increases in fund value can translate into meaningful grants.
Important Notes
When you make a donor advised fund gift, it’s possible that your sponsoring organization will not share your information with us. Please send us a note to katie@thewarmplace.org when you’ve made a gift so we can make sure to show our appreciation and follow up with you on the impact of your gift!
Many donors also forget to add beneficiary designations for their DAFs. Remember, you have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy by naming The WARM Place as the beneficiary of the entire account or a percentage of the fund. With a percentage, you can create a family legacy of giving by naming your loved ones as your successor to continue recommending grants to charitable organizations. Contact your fund administrator for a beneficiary form.
Interested in Starting a Donor Advised Fund?
If you are interested in setting up a donor advised fund, you can contact the Communities Foundation of Texas, Schwab Charitable, Fidelity, Vanguard Charitable, or any other fiscal partner to get started. For answers regarding specific questions about your accounts, please contact your financial advisor.
For more information about DAFs, or to let us know you have contributed to The WARM Place through your DAF, please contact Katie Lane, Director of Development, at katie@thewarmplace.org.
Thanks to you, no child will ever have to grieve alone.
