<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> The Community Foundation - Donor Guide
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH ALABAMA COMPARISON BETWEEN DONOR ADVISED FUNDS AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS

 
DONOR ADVISED
FUNDS

PRIVATE
FOUNDATIONS
Creation of Fund
Established at CFSA at no
cost to donor
NPO corporation or trust independently organized as a private foundation
Tax-exempt status
Shares public charity
status of the CFSA
Must apply for private foundation tax exempt status from IRS
Minimum Size
$5,000.00
Substantial assets required
Charitable Deductions
of Cash Gifts
Tax deduction of up to 50% of adjusted gross income
Tax deduction up to 30% of Cash Gifts of adjusted gross income
Donor Control
Donor holds advisory powers over grant recommendations with final approval of the CFSA board
Donor retains complete control over investments & grant making, subject to IRS requirements
Annual Payout
Requirements
None
Grants must equal 5% of asset value annually
Grant Making Program Management
Provided by CFSA
Must establish and/or
obtain these services
Annual Costs
Minimal at 1.25%
of market value
Include legal and accountant fees, insurance and possibly office space, staff, and miscellaneous expenses
Annual Taxes
None
Subject to excise tax of up to 2% of net investment gain including capital gains
Annual Tax Filings
and 990 Returns
Not required
Must be filed with required supporting schedules
Investments
Fund assets are professionally
managed through CFSA
Must research and secure its own investment vehicles and investment managers

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS SERVICES GUIDELINES

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Donors are informed about the variance of power requirements and are informed about administrative fees, CFSA 5% spending policy
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Donors are allowed anonymity if that is their wish
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Donors of named funds are listed in CFSA annual reports and other publications, unless anonymity has been requested
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Donors are assured that information about the size/nature of their gift will be held in confidence
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Donors are allowed to select the name of the fund
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Donors are informed of their right to receive fund status reports on a quarterly basis
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Donors of donor advised funds should understand their right to recommend grants from the fund
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The issue concerning distribution of income only or income and principal should be resolved when the fund is created
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The issue of the right of succeeding generations to advise distributions from the fund should be determined at the time the fund is created
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The issue of geographic constraints concerning distributions from the fund should be determined at the time the fund is created
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Donors are reminded of the value of unrestricted funds to meet unforeseen community needs and encouraged to include the community foundation in their estate plans
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Donors should be fully apprised, in writing, as to the limitations of the uses of a donor advised fund:
1.
There cannot be benefit accruing to the donor as the result of the distribution
2.
The uses of the fund must be charitable
3.
Donor advised funds cannot be used to fulfill financial pledges
4.
All distributions must be approved by the board of the CFSA
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CFSA staff contact donors of named funds in the form of regular meetings
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There is ongoing and frequent communications concerning the activities/grantmaking priorities and special projects of the CFSA
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There is regular communication concerning unfilled community needs, particularly to donors with advised funds