06/25/2020
Donor Advised Funds Provide ‘One-Stop-Shopping’ for Philanthropy
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Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
by STEPHEN LANGEL | SPECIAL TO THE CJN
Donor advised funds make charitable giving easy by providing a single, simple process to donate to numerous causes.
They are created by a written agreement between a donor and a philanthropic institution and funded by contributions of cash, securities, or other property. The philanthropy then manages and administers the funds, while also providing recommendations for giving and vetting potential grantees to ensure, for example, they have tax-exempt status.
Donor advised funds serve as a “one-stop-shop for your philanthropy,” said Janet Schwartz Shapiro, senior director of donor advised and special purpose funds at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood.
For example, donors can give to several causes without having to write numerous checks. Instead, they designate where they want the funding to go, and the Federation takes care of the rest. Having a donor advised fund “organizes your philanthropy,” she said.
Jessica Gelin Grisez, JewishColumbus’ director of planned giving and major gifts, said donors can obtain a tax deduction without having to track all of their giving receipts to various grantees. Instead, they receive one tax receipt for all of their giving.
Advising donors is also an essential part of the process as fund holders know they want to make a difference, but may not be aware of the various options.
Many donors look at these funds as a way to undertake acts of tikkun olam, to “repair the world,” Grisez said. “That’s really what a number of our folks want to do is they want to give to better the world and better the community.”
Shapiro said determining what donors want to accomplish is important and that is why it is part of the initial discussion in establishing a donor advised fund
Beyond the ease of use and the positive effect these funds can have on the community, donors are also eligible for numerous tax benefits. Donors receive a tax deduction on their gifts and can receive the entire tax deduction for their contribution when it is placed in the fund, even if the distribution does not happen until a later date.
Other benefits include tax deductions for appreciated securities and other property held for more than one tax year. Donors can bundle giving by giving twice the standard tax deduction in one year if there will be no charitable giving the following year. Donors also pay no income tax on the net earnings credited to a donor advised fund that are the result of the investment or sale of fund assets.
Donor advised funds Jewish Federation of Cleveland
• 800 donor advised funds:
• $100 to establish donor advised funds
• $100 minimum distribution
Columbus Jewish Foundation (JewishColumbus partner)
• 350 donor advised funds:
$2,000 to establish donor advised fund and $50 minimum distribution
• 350 funds available for bar and bat mitzvah-aged youth:
$125 to establish fund, $18 minimum distribution and $375 supplementing initial contribution provided by Mitzi and the late Henry Saeman and JewishColumbus
Source: Jewish Federation of Cleveland and JewishColumbus
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