Comparisons |
Donor Advised Fund |
Supporting Organization |
Private/Family Foundation |
| Starting the Foundation |
Established at SDF |
Nonprofit corporation created with assistance from TSDF |
Nonprofit corporation or trust organized as a private foundation |
| Tax Exempt Status |
Shares the public charity tax exempt status of SDF |
Shares the public charity tax exempt status of SDF |
Must apply for private foundation tax exempt status from
the IRS |
| Start-up Costs |
No cost to donor |
Minimal costs through collaboration with SDF |
Similar to corporate start-up requiring substantial legal,
accounting and operational start-up costs |
Charitable Deductions Cash Gifts
Appreciated Property |
Tax deduction of up to 50% of adjusted gross income
Tax deduction available for full market valueTax deduction
available up to 30% of adjusted gross income |
Tax deduction of up to 50% of adjusted gross income
Tax deduction available for full market valueTax deduction
available up to 30% of adjusted gross income |
Tax deduction is limited to 30% of adjusted gross income
Tax deduction limited to donor's cost basis in some cases
Tax deduction limited to 20% of adjusted gross income |
| Donor Control |
Donor makes advisory grant recommendations-final decisions
rest with SDF |
Donor hold significant organizational influence and may
appoint minority of the board of directors |
Donor retains complete control over investments and grantmaking,
subject to IRS requirements |
| Self-Dealing Rules |
Private foundation self-dealing rules do not apply |
Private foundation self-dealing rules do not apply |
Strict regulations prohibit most transactions between a
private foundation and its donors (including related persons
or corporations) |
| Payout Requirements |
Do not apply |
Do not apply |
Must Pay out annually for charitable purposes at least
5% of its asset value regardless of its annual income |
| Administrative Concerns (Personnel, facility, gift and
grant management) |
Services provided by SDF |
Affiliation with SDF provides access to existing services |
Must establish and/or obtain these services |
| Annual Costs |
Minimal |
Shared by SDF and therefore kept at a minimum |
Administration can be costly |
| Annual Taxes |
None |
None |
Generally income is tax exempt but subject to excise tax
of up to 2% of net investment gain including net capital gains |
| Annual Tax Filings and Returns |
Not required (reported as part of SDF's annual reporting) |
Prepared and filed by SDF |
Must be filed by private foundation with required supporting
schedules |
| Investments |
Fund assets are professionally invested through SDF |
May avail itself of professional investment services offered
by SDF |
Must research and secure its own investment vehicles |
| Fiduciary Responsibility |
SDF fulfills the associated fiduciary responsibilities |
Administrative guidance provided by SDF |
The private foundation board has full fiduciary responsibility |