Your estate plan is the perfect place to make charitable gifts if you’re a charitably inclined individual. One vehicle to consider using is a donor-advised fund (DAF).
What’s the main attraction? Among other benefits, a DAF allows you to set aside funds for charitable giving while you’re alive, and you (or your heirs) can direct donations over time. Plus, in your estate plan, you can designate your DAF as a beneficiary to receive assets upon your death, ensuring continued charitable giving in your name.
Setting up a DAF
A DAF generally requires an initial contribution of at least $5,000. It’s typically managed by a financial institution or an independent sponsoring organization, which, in return, charges an administrative fee based on a percentage of the account balance.
You have the option of funding a DAF through estate assets. And you can name a DAF as a beneficiary of IRA or 401(k) plan accounts, life insurance policies or through a bequest in your will or trust.
You instruct the DAF on how to distribute contributions to the charities of your choice. While deciding which charities to support, your contributions are invested and potentially grow within the account. Then, the charitable organizations you choose are vetted to ensure they’re qualified to accept DAF funds. Finally, the checks are cut and distributed to the charities.
DAF benefits
A DAF has several benefits. For starters, using a DAF is relatively easy. With all the administrative work and logistics handled for you, you simply make contributions to the fund. It may be possible to transfer securities directly from your bank account.
The contributions you make to the DAF generally are tax deductible. Therefore, if you itemize deductions on your tax return instead of taking the standard deduction, the gifts can offset your current income tax liability. Contributions can be deducted in the tax year you make them, rather than waiting until the fund distributes them.
For monetary contributions, you can write off the full amount, up to 60% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) in 2025. Any excess is carried over for five years. For a gift of appreciated property, the donation is equal to the property’s fair market value if you’ve owned the asset for longer than one year, up to 30% of AGI. Any excess is carried over for five years. Otherwise, the deduction for property is limited to your adjusted basis (often your initial cost).
If you prefer, distributions can be made to charities anonymously. Alternatively, you can name the fund after your family. In either event, the DAF may be created through your will, providing a lasting legacy.
DAF drawbacks
DAFs have their drawbacks as well. Despite some misconceptions, you don’t control how the charities use the money after it’s disbursed from the DAF.
Also, you can’t personally benefit from your DAF. For instance, you can’t direct that the money should be used to buy tickets to a local fundraiser you want to support if the cost of the tickets isn’t fully tax deductible. Lastly, detractors have complained about the administrative fees.
Leave a lasting legacy
Using a DAF in your estate plan can help maximize charitable giving, minimize taxes and create a lasting legacy aligned with your philanthropic goals. It provides flexibility and allows heirs to continue supporting charitable causes in your name. Contact us with questions regarding a DAF.
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