About AEF
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are celebrating record charitable contributions from the 2021 giving season. With the industry increase in volumes, it may postpone our standard processing times for fund contributions and new donor advised fund applications. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to process quickly and accurately.
Founded in 1993, American Endowment Foundation(AEF) fills a unique role as America’s largest independent donor advised fund program – a national, public charity.
Independence and Integrity
Since its founding in 1993, AEF's donors and their advisors have appreciated its independence from any sponsoring financial services firm or charity. The only people or organizations that benefit from donor advised funds at AEF are the donors, in partnership with their advisors, and the charities that donors support through their donor advised fund.
- AEF accrues no benefit from brokerage services or product sales, and never charges commissions or finder fees
- AEF does not sell proprietary financial products or services
- AEF does not provide financial, tax, or legal advice
Our independence gives us the ability to offer a conflict-free platform for your charitable giving – free of agendas (programmatic, geographic, religious, investment, or succession). Our independence also allows us to singularly focus on what we do best – deliver highly personalized service and administration.
As stewards of these meaningful assets, we at AEF adhere to these central principles:
- We believe transparency, communication, and accessibility are our clients’ core rights
- We team with our clients and their professional investment advisors to foster the most satisfactory experience
- We seek to help our donors create an enduring legacy
- We commit to maintain uncompromising independence
A Uniquely Flexible Program
AEF provides highly personalized service to donors and their trusted advisors, offering great flexibility in accepting different types of simple and complex assets. Additionally, AEF uniquely offers open investment architecture and at the donor's recommendation, AEF can enable their donors' wealth advisors to manage the investments in their clients' fund accounts on their preferred custodial platform.
Unlike donor advised funds sponsored by charities with a specific mission or a regional focus, AEF offers the ability for donors to give to all U.S. charities. Partnerships with CAF America enables us to support select overseas organizations.Unlike commercial donor advised fund programs, offered by banks, brokerages and commercial mutual funds, AEF does not sell investment and financial products.
AEF's true independence and innovative, tax-smart solutions offer donors and their families greater flexibility for their charitable giving while enabling them to simplify their giving and multiply their impact.
Our experienced staff is available to assist you and/or your professional financial advisors in tailoring a charitable-giving plan to fit your goals and financial situation.Call us at 1-888-402-9179 or use our contact form.
Our 990 and audited financial statements are available for review:
2020 AEF Tax Form 990
Request our 2020 AEF Audited Financial Statement
