Why Donor-Advised Funds?

From everyday giving to sophisticated strategies — DAFs are the fastest-growing charitable vehicle for a reason.

Donor-advised funds are now a central part of modern philanthropy. In 2024 alone, DAFs facilitated $64.9 billion in grants, representing over 15% of all charitable giving in the U.S.¹

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Benefits of Donor-Advised Funds

Separate Tax Timelines from Giving Timelines

Log your charitable deduction when you need it, and distribute grants when charities need it. Easier decision-making, more attuned giving.

Elevate Your Impact

Since invested assets grow tax-free, your gift can multiply for even greater impact. Maintain your privacy as your gifting grows, if you choose.

Streamline Donations

You or your advisor can recommend grants with just a few clicks and get automated updates. No more tracking down addresses, mailing checks, or tracking receipts.

Lower Your Costs and Boost Impact

Lower fees, better tax treatment, and no overhead mean more funds reach the causes you care about.

Reduce Administrative Burden

Skip the compliance, filings, and operations required of private foundations and give effortlessly with a DAF.

Convert Without Losing Legacy

Shift a private foundation into a DAF seamlessly while preserving its mission and name.

How Do Donor-Advised Funds Work?

DAFs are an intermediary charity account that helps you give on your terms.

Contribution

You contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a DAF. Once you donate, you don’t have to grant until you’re ready. However, you do get an immediate tax benefit for the donation.

Investment

The funds you contribute can be invested, growing tax-free over time. You have the flexibility to recommend how the funds are invested, depending on which philanthropies you want to support.

Granting

Over time, you can recommend grants to qualified charities. We handle the administrative work, everything from due diligence on the charities to disbursing the grants.

What Can Be Contributed to a DAF?

Asset Type	Accepted by Renaissance Charitable DAFs	Not Legally Acceptable to Any DAF
Common financial assets	Cash & cash equivalents, public equities, fixed income instruments, REIT shares, insurance & annuities	Margined securities
Private and business interests	C-Corp, S-Corp, partnership interests, PE/VC LP stakes, carried interest, hedge funds, alternatives, sole proprietorships, foreign traded stock	Business interests with a binding sale agreement
Tangible personal property	Real estate, art, jewelry, other collectibles, precious metals, farm crops, vehicles	Debt-encumbered real estate and/or assets with a binding sales agreement
Intangible assets	Cryptocurrency, royalties	Patents, copyrights, trademarks, other intellectual property

Which Renaissance Charitable DAF is Right for You?

Renaissance Charitable DAFs are available directly to individuals with or without a financial advisor, and also in customized versions inside many wealth management firms. Find out which Renaissance Charitable DAF best meets your giving goals.

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Donors who give through Renaissance Charitable during and beyond their lifetimes

90K+

Charitable capital entrusted to Renaissance Charitable DAFs

$12B+

Unique asset classes successfully contributed to Renaissance Charitable DAFs

25+

Charities eligible to receive grants from Renaissance Charitable DAFs

1.5M+

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Donor-Advised Fund FAQs

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Can I donate complex assets?

Yes, and it’s a great way to give. A Renaissance Charitable DAF allows you to strategically donate complex assets such as real estate, private stock, or artwork. This approach helps you avoid capital gains taxes and potentially offset taxable income, maximizing your philanthropic impact.

Should I consider a DAF instead of a private foundation?

Yes, you should! A few decades ago, private foundations offered a more customizable way to give. In that time, DAFs have matured, and it is exceedingly rare that a modern giver truly needs a private foundation.

A DAF can enable you to achieve all your giving goals with greater total impact over time in a much more streamlined way. Working with an experienced provider like Renaissance Charitable means your annual costs will be a fraction of a percent, your contributions can receive more favorable tax treatment, and you save millions of dollars in overhead costs and administrative headaches.

Running a private foundation is as much work as running a business — plus you have the compliance requirements to maintain your charitable status. Using a DAF means you can give in any amount with a few clicks of a button.

If you already have a private foundation, you are already familiar with the workload. If you’ve grown tired of it, talk to our team today about what it would take to seamlessly convert that private foundation into a DAF – we can walk you through the process of streamlining administration while maintaining your impact and preserving your legacy.

You have naming rights for the DAF you establish. So feel free to call it the Smith Family Foundation (even if the legal structure is a DAF) so that receiving charities understand how committed you and your family are to philanthropy, both now and for generations to come.

Can I pair a DAF with a private foundation I already have?

Yes, you can. The most common conversation we have is around winding down a private foundation, but for those who decide to keep it, most also elect to add a DAF alongside it. Combining a DAF with a private foundation helps you optimize your giving. You’ll gain the tax benefits of a DAF, such as higher deductibility limits for cash (60% AGI vs. PF’s 30%) and appreciated securities (30% AGI vs. PF’s 20%).

Should I consider a DAF before selling my business?

Yes, it’s beneficial to open a DAF before selling your business. By contributing business shares to a DAF before your sale is finalized, you can avoid capital gains taxes. Plus, you’ll secure an immediate income tax deduction for their fair market value, up to 30% of your AGI. There’s also no rush to choose charities right away; after things have calmed down post-transaction, take your time to plan your giving strategy and build a powerful legacy.

Who is a good fit for donor-advised funds?

A DAF might be a good option for you if you:

Give regularly
Give sizably
Own – or anticipate owning – appreciated assets
Expect a high income tax year
Are planning for the future

A DAF can simplify giving for all donors. Moving from checkwriting and receipt tracking to a platform that does all of that for you means that your time, energy, and passions get to focus on who you are giving to and why. A DAF also simplifies for the most substantial givers, when the requirements to organize and execute your efforts grow exponentially — that’s what we’re built for.

¹ Annual DAF Report 2025