Donor-Advised Funds

Take a personal approach to charitable giving.

Individuals, families, and businesses with a wide range of community interests find that a donor-advised fund is the ideal vehicle for fulfilling their charitable goals. Among regional community foundations, The Denver Foundation is the largest and most experienced manager of donor-advised funds in the Rocky Mountain West. We listen to your aspirations and work closely with you to align your interests to support our community’s goals.

 

What is a donor-advised fund?

In the simplest terms, donor-advised funds allow donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend grants from the fund over time.

An easy way to think about a donor-advised fund is that it is like a charitable bank account. A donor contributes to the fund as frequently as they like, and the fund is invested for potential growth. When they are ready, the donor recommends grants to their favorite charitable organizations.

 

Why work with us?

The Denver Foundation has been taking care of the future since 1925. Generations of generous people continue to choose us as their trusted partner in philanthropy.

It’s easy to realize your giving goals through a fund at The Denver Foundation. We work in service of your philanthropic vision, designing and stewarding your fund in partnership with you, your family, or your business.

Our nationally recognized expertise in charitable giving practices and legacy planning, as well as our specialization in gifts of complex assets, ensure that you receive the maximum tax deductibility for your gift and that your gift has the maximum impact on the community.

Download the DAF Brochure

How does it work?

  1. Create a fund with a gift of cash, securities, or appreciated assets, and then make additional gifts at any time. You are eligible for tax benefits every year that you make a gift. Because The Denver Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, your donation is eligible for the maximum charitable deduction.
  2. The assets of your donor-advised fund will be invested for potential growth. You can select among multiple options for investment of the assets in your fund. You will receive quarterly fund statements detailing changes in assets.
  3. After you make the contribution, The Denver Foundation has legal control of your assets and manages all administrative details. However, you retain advisory privileges with respect to the distribution of funds via grant recommendations regarding your choice of charitable organizations.
  4. Grants can be made to any 501(c)(3) organization in the United States, to religious institutions, and to certain charitable institutions without an IRS 501(c)(3) designation. The Denver Foundation also works with donors on international grantmaking.

Connect with us.

Do you want to learn more about opening a donor-advised fund? Please complete the contact form or call 303.300.1790 and ask to speak to a member of the Engaged Philanthropy Group.

Contact Form

Through our years of working with The Denver Foundation, their guidance and administrative support have vastly improved our ability to identify recipients and move funds to them in the most efficient manner possible.

The Rollie R. Kelley Family Foundation