The Power of Community: Why a Local Donor Advised Fund Tops Commercial Options 

In today’s philanthropic landscape, donor advised funds (DAFs) are increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for individuals and families seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities. While it’s true that DAFs can be established through national financial institutions, many attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors may be unaware of the benefits of partnering with a local community foundation like Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation). By choosing to establish a DAF at the Foundation, clients can tap into a broader range of services, receive more personalized attention, and forge deeper connections with the nonprofits that are driving positive change in the community. A DAF established at the Foundation is often a far better fit for clients than one set up at a “commercial gift fund.” 

When it comes to your clients’ charitable and financial plans, it’s essential to ask the right questions. Are they getting the most out of their philanthropic efforts? Are they truly connected to the community they’re trying to serve? Partnering with a local community foundation like Greater Houston Community Foundation is the smart, strategic choice for those seeking to make a meaningful impact. 

Continue reading: What is a donor advised fund?

Tax and Administrative Benefits  

The Foundation offers donor advised fund holders the same tax and administrative benefits as a commercial gift fund, including: 

• Online access to view balances, contributions, and grants 
• Simple process for requesting grants to favorite charities 
• Streamlined tax reporting, often represented by just one letter to provide to an accountant at tax time 
• All back-office administration, tax receipts, recordkeeping, and other requirements for the donor advised fund’s 501(c)(3) status 
• Favorable tax-deductibility of contributions to the fund 

Continue reading: The Importance of Charitable Giving In Financial and Estate Planning

Customized Services for Donor Advised Fund Holders 

Our philanthropic advisors can provide personalized support and expert guidance to help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals. From estate planning to grant making, the Foundation can take charitable giving to the next level. 

• Concierge-level service by knowledgeable staff to structure estate gifts and legacy plans.  
• Acceptance of gifts such as appreciated stock and noncash/ illiquid assets. 
• In-house experts who have a finger on the pulse of community needs, strengths of specific nonprofits, and how to structure grant making for the highest possible community benefit 
• Opportunities to collaborate with other donors who care about similar issues and forums to tap into local and national subject matter experts 
• Opportunities to go deep into specific issue areas, both through education and hands-on involvement 
• Family philanthropy services that offer high-impact next-generation engagement, family programming, consulting services, and peer-to-peer connections. 
• Corporate giving services to foster a well-rounded, holistic approach to philanthropy 

Elevate Your Clients Giving Strategy

Third-Party Investment Management  

As your philanthropic partner, we respect the client relationships you have established and shared with us. At Greater Houston Community Foundation, you can continue to manage your client’s investments when they have a fund balance of $500,000 or more. 

“The Foundation provides such a needed resource to our advisor community, and I encourage our professional advisor community to reach out to the Foundation for advice and input with philanthropic planning for clients. Greater Houston Community Foundation can provide so much assistance to the advisor community in terms of problem-solving and sophisticated planning assistance.” – Tommy Wright, Retired – RSM US, LLP

Maximize Your Clients’ Impact

Partnering with Greater Houston Community Foundation 

Partnering with Greater Houston Community Foundation can be a game-changer for your clients’ charitable giving. By establishing and/or moving your clients’ donor advised funds to the Foundation, you’ll be giving them the tools and support they need to make a lasting difference in the community.  

Don’t miss this opportunity to provide your clients with a deeper understanding of the community’s needs and help them achieve their philanthropic goals. Contact Andrea Mayes today to learn how we can partner with you and your clients. 

Additional Resources: 

• Learn more about our Foundation’s services and how we can support your clients’ philanthropic goals 
• Join our professional advisor mailing list to stay up-to-date on the latest news and insights from the Foundation 

More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation: 

• How to Give Back to Your Community
• The Importance of Charitable Giving in Financial and Estate Planning
• How to Start a Scholarship Fund
• The Balance Between Recognition and Anonymity in Philanthropy: Which one’s for you?  

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