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Open a Donor Advised Fund
Benefits of Donor Advised Funds
Simple Management
We oversee the details of fiscal management, record keeping and reporting so you can focus on the joy of giving.
Tax Advantages
Donors receive a tax deduction in the year they make a gift and retain the flexibility to recommend grants over time.
Active Giving
Support your favorite nonprofits or ask our team to share grant opportunities that align with your interests.
Maximum Impact
Our community expertise and ongoing due diligence ensure your charitable dollars create the most impact.
How Donor Advised Funds Work
Greet
Contact us to set up a meeting to discuss your interests, values and goals. We help you map out a purpose-driven giving strategy tailored to you.
Give
Make a tax-deductible gift to the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington with a variety of assets. See what you can give.
Grant
Whether you’re ready now or want to plan for the future, you can recommend grants online or in person to support nonprofits you care about.
Grow
Watch your principal and all future donations grow tax-free through our tailored investment pools that fit your giving goals.
Common Questions
How can a donor advised fund simplify my giving?
By managing all your giving through a donor advised fund, you only need to keep track of one receipt from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. Once established, you can make grants from your donor advised fund at any time and your fund is ready to accept any future charitable contributions you want to make, including estate gifts or bequests.
How do I open a donor advised fund?
Setting up a donor advised fund is easy and can be done within 24 hours. It's as simple as selecting a name for your fund, signing a fund agreement and contributing at least $10,000 to get started.
Are there any fees?
Our competitive fees offset the cost of fund administration. They are also reinvested in southwest Washington through our work cultivating local giving, strengthening nonprofits, improving communities and empowering people. Administration fees vary by fund type and, in some cases, depend on the fund size. Find our fee schedules on the Reports & Financials page.
What kinds of administration services do you provide?
Our team is committed to delivering top-tier philanthropic advice and support. We provide complete “back office” support, an online donor portal and ongoing due diligence to ensure compliance. In addition, we can research nonprofits and causes on your behalf, schedule site visits, suggest funding opportunities and connect you with other donors for collaborative funding opportunities.
How is my fund invested?
Your funds are managed according to our investment policy to generate current income and ensure capital growth. We can also invest your charitable funds outside our investment pools in partnership with your professional advisor. Read about our Advisor Managed Funds to learn more.
How do I make grants from my fund?
Fund advisors can submit grant recommendations online or by contacting your philanthropic advisor. The Community Foundation will ensure you are granting to a qualified nonprofit in sound standing, send grant award letters and distribute funds via check or direct deposit to your chosen nonprofit.
What charities can I make grant recommendations to?
If they have a sufficient balance in their fund, fund advisors can recommend grants to any verified 501(c)(3) public charity operating locally, nationally, or internationally. After our review and approval, we make the grants according to your anonymity preferences.
How often do I need to recommend grants?
Our grantmaking policy ensures the charitable intent of your fund is upheld. This means we encourage fund advisors to recommend grants at least once a year, and we require at least one grant distribution every three years. If grantmaking lapses, we contact the fund advisor to resume grantmaking. If an advisor chooses not to respond, our staff initiates grants from the fund following our Inactive Fund Policy.
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