Donor Advised Fund

A Donor Advised Fund is a simple, rewarding, and highly personal approach to giving that allows you to make a gift to your community foundation, and then remain actively involved in suggesting uses for your gift.

Here's how it works:

You make a gift to your community foundation – you can give cash, appreciated stocks, real estate or other assets.
We set up a special fund in your name, in the name of your family or business, or in honor of any person or organization you choose.
You receive tax benefits the year your gift is made.
You recommend uses for the fund – working with our professional program staff to target areas of community need.
Your recommendation is presented to your community foundation board for approval.
We handle all the administrative details and issue grants to charities in the name of your fund (if you prefer, your awards can be made anonymously).
If you wish, your gift can be placed in a fund that is carefully invested and can grow over time; a portion of your fund is used to address community needs every year.

Why create a Donor Advised fund?

It provides a simple and flexible tool for individuals, families, businesses, or groups who want to be personally involved in suggesting grant awards made possible by their fund. Donors with a range of community interests find that it’s an ideal vehicle for fulfilling their charitable wishes.

Donor Advised Funds are typically less costly and easier to administer than other forms of philanthropic giving (such as family or corporate foundations).

Plus, a Donor Advised Fund includes these benefits:

You can establish a charitable legacy in your name, in the name of your family, or in honor of any individual or organization you select.
Your gift can be combined with others to increase impact in areas you care about most.
You know that your gift will be carefully invested and managed via The San Diego Foundation’s proven stewardship practices by virtue of our longstanding relationship with them.
You are eligible to receive maximum tax benefits.
If you wish, your gift can generate the long-term advantages of endowment funding – principal from your gift can be invested, not spent; investment income is then used to make annual grants to nonprofit agencies and programs.
You can establish a fund today, and make grant recommendations now or in the future.