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donor advised funds


Why a Donor Advised Fund
.......rather than give directly to charity

Donate now, decide later
A contribution to AEF separates the tax event from the grantmaking event. You recommend grants to charities on your own timetable thus reducing year-end pressures to select one or more charities to support.

Facilitate special asset considerations
Not all charities accept or have the knowledge or capacity to accept gifts of stock and other appreciated assets. Your Donor Advised Fund provides you the maximum deduction allowed by law, and AEF has the expertise to accept the widest array of assets.

Make the most of your charitable dollars
You or your advisor can recommend the investment strategy for your contributions to your Donor Advised Fund. This eliminates the concern about how charities manage or mismanage investments. Any growth in assets is tax-free which provides the potential for greater charitable gifts.

Reduce recordkeeping frustrations
A Donor Advised Fund account provides consolidated reporting and record keeping. You can make grants to multiple charities and you will need only one tax substantiation letter (for each contribution to the account). You can also review your history of grantmaking online before making future gifts.

Leave a lasting legacy
Your Donor Advised Fund can establish an enduring family legacy for philanthropy. Your family can continue involvement in grantmaking and investments by naming successor advisors to your account.

Provide for accountability
It is important to match the size of the contribution to the capacity of the charity. Capacity is a term that encompasses size, administrative capability, investment sophistication, stability, and accountability of the board. Are the charity's administrative expenses reasonable? Does the charity have the sophistication to use a large gift effectively?

Large grants can be like a heavy rock dropped into the bottom of a small boat. Many small charities have become divided over large contributions due to the lack of a clear strategic plan, clear policies, and investment experience. Conversely, some larger charities treat contributions as "free money" and use them to pay for fundraising and administrative expenses, which is typically not what the donor intended.

Giving through an independent intermediary charity such as AEF is a flexible way to provide long-term support for favorite causes. AEF, as the independent intermediary can donate capital and/or income to the worthy charities at your recommendation. That way the capital is well managed by a responsible entity and the work of the operating charities is supported.

Need help?
Give us a call. If we don’t know the answer to your question, we can probably point you in the right direction. Contact Phil Tobin, President, at 1-330-655-7552.

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donor advised funds

 

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American Endowment Foundation
A National, Independent, Donor Advised Fund Program

1521 Georgetown Road, Suite 104
P.O. Box 911
Hudson, OH 44236-5911
1-330-655-7552 | 1-888-440-4233

 

Charity navigator

Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, has awarded AEF its highest rating for the fifth consecutive year. According to their report, AEF “…demonstrated exceptional financial management, outperforming most of its peers in its efforts to allocate and grow its finances in the most responsible way possible.”