Donor Advised Funds

Donor advised funds (DAFs) are flexible and convenient, allowing you to support the causes you care about whenever you choose. This simple, powerful and highly personal charitable giving fund organizes and maximizes your giving.

"If you have the opportunity to make a difference in the world and in the lives of other people, why wait? The Community Foundation is a wealth of knowledge and a vehicle to make your charitable giving so much easier. We love it!"

- Julie & Jay Jacobi

Benefits of a DAF

Why Open a DAF at the Community Foundation?
DAFs provide you a simple, hands-on approach to giving. You can contribute to your fund anytime through our online giving system, Manage My Fund, to support the causes you care about 24-7. Thanks to our connections with nonprofits, the Community Foundation team can help you learn more about needs that match your interests and suggest ways to increase your impact.
What Can I Contribute to a DAF?
Our team of charitable giving experts is here to assist you in establishing your DAF to meet your financial and giving goals. We will work alongside you and your professional advisors to consider tax-wise giving opportunities to support your charitable giving fund in ways that best suit you. The Community Foundation can accept gifts of many types, including appreciated securities, real estate, business interests, personal tangible property, retirement plans, life insurance and agricultural assets. Gifts to your fund are tax deductible and may be eligible for the Endow Iowa Tax Credit program, a 25% state tax credit exclusively available through Iowa community foundations.
Who Can be Involved with Your DAF?
Through your DAF at the Community Foundation, your trusted professional advisors and/or your entire family can be involved in your charitable giving. Additionally, you have the ability to name future generations to advise your fund to establish a family legacy of giving.
How Can the Community Foundation Team Help?
The Community Foundation handles the administrative details of your DAF so you can immediately experience the joy of giving back. Whether professionally managing your charitable investments or facilitating your gifts and grants – you can be assured that we are here to serve your giving goals.

Learn more about DAFs

Financial Facts

  • A DAF can be established in any amount and with a variety of gift types

  • The ability to combine funds into professionally managed portfolios allows greater diversification of investments and access to investment vehicles that would not be possible for individual funds. 

  • Click here to view the Community Foundation's administrative fee schedule for DAFs.