donor-advised funds
Why open a donor-advised fund (DAF) with the Athens County Foundation?
Establishing a DAF with ACF simplifies your giving, organizes your philanthropy, and engages you and your advisors in creating meaningful impact—all while supporting the broader Athens County community.
donor-advised funds: the basics
A DAF operates a lot like a checking account for charity, and it’s established according to IRS guidelines that provide tax advantages for the donor as well as administrative efficiencies.
Donor-advised funds are a popular charitable giving tool because they allow an individual or family to make a tax-deductible gift that qualifies as a charitable contribution, and then recommend grants to favorite charities from the fund when the time is right.
Is a DAF right for you?
Setting up a DAF is easy. Here are the first steps.
- Make an irrevocable gift of at least $10,000 to establish the fund (cash, stocks, other qualifying assets). No startup fees.
- Name your fund
- Name your fund advisor(s)
- Decide whether the fund will be endowed or non-endowed
- An endowed fund is invested permanently so it can provide long-term, steady support by granting only a portion of its earnings each year. A non-endowed fund is fully spendable, allowing both the principal and earnings to be used for more flexible, immediate impact.
- Think about where you’d like the fund to make grants
- Review and sign a gift agreement
And donor-advised funds are flexible!
Your Giving + ACF’s Guidance
Donor-advised funds can be an important lifeline for Athens County nonprofit organizations. A donor-advised fund helps the community right now and also allows you and your family to build a nest egg to address our community’s needs in the future.
The Athens County Foundation is a philanthropy partner, bridging donor intentions to community investment to valuable impact. For donors like you who are motivated to make a lasting difference for our community, we provide a unique combination of insights and expertise on philanthropy strategies.
When you establish a fund with ACF, your generosity does more than support the causes you care about – it strengthens the entire community. A fund at ACF becomes part of a larger, coordinated effort to build leadership, expand civic participation, and support the nonprofit organizations that keep Athens County thriving.
Funds are pooled with other assets for maximum investment efficiency, returns, and results. Professional investment advisors and a qualified Investment Committee partner with the Foundation and are focused on growing your fund for the long-term.
Ready to start a fund? Contact us today!
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Eleni Zulia
Program Director,
Operations and Engagement
