How Donor-Advised Funds Can Support Strategic Philanthropy

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If you're nearing retirement or managing a significant liquidity event, this may be an ideal time to think about strategic philanthropy. Periods of financial transition can create opportunities for tax efficiency while also aligning a charitable giving plan with your long-term values. Yet, during the planning phase, a common dilemma often arises: How do you ensure that your contributions flow to causes when they need it most, regardless of market fluctuations or personal tax timelines? This quest for optimized, intentional giving often requires a sophisticated approach that incorporates advanced giving strategies, such as donor-advised funds (DAFs). 

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While this overview highlights how DAFs can offer strategic timing and optimization for your charitable giving, fully integrating them into your comprehensive wealth and estate plans often requires more in-depth insight. The white paper provides a deeper examination of how DAFs operate, when they may be beneficial, and how they compare to other giving vehicles. If you're considering how charitable giving fits into your broader estate and financial plan, this resource is a thoughtful starting point.

Inside:

▪︎ How DAFs operate
▪︎ When a DAF might be beneficial
▪︎ Establishing & managing a DAF
▪︎ How they compare to other giving vehicles

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Traditional charitable giving often ties your donation directly to receiving a tax benefit for the tax-year in which you made the contribution. This approach can limit your financial flexibility, and the fixed timing might not always sync with your personal income patterns, particularly if you experience fluctuating earnings or major financial shifts, making truly optimized tax planning a challenge. 

An added complication arises when donating highly appreciated assets instead of cash. For tax efficiency, directly contributing these assets often requires precise timing to avoid capital gains taxes. But this tax-driven timing can inadvertently force you to pick a charitable recipient before the most impactful opportunity has emerged. As a result, inflexible timing can hinder strategic philanthropy, making it harder to align your personal values, financial goals, and the desire to create meaningful impact. 

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Starting a donor-advised fund (DAF) offers a powerful mechanism to strategically separate the timing of your charitable gift from the timing of your income tax deduction and your ultimate grant distribution. You contribute assets to the DAF when it aligns best with your financial planning, potentially receiving an income tax deduction. This flexibility can be particularly advantageous during high-income years or when liquidating appreciated assets, as it may allow donors to avoid capital gains taxes on contributed securities while potentially deducting their full fair market value. 

Once you contribute, the assets are invested within the fund for potential tax-free growth. This tax-efficient characteristic can help enhance the future impact of your generosity. This allows you to potentially gain immediate tax benefits without pressure to make instant grantmaking decisions. Instead, you retain advisory privileges to recommend grants to IRS-qualified charities over time, responding to evolving needs or personal reflections. It is essential to note that while donors retain advisory privileges, the sponsoring organization assumes legal control of the contributed assets. This flexibility also supports advanced strategies like bunching charitable donations while distributing grants gradually over time. 

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With 1.8 million individual DAF accounts in the United States, donor-advised funds are an extremely popular tool for strategic philanthropy. For individuals and families committed to giving intentionally and with precision, DAFs can provide a clear and accessible path to structuring generosity.  

At 5280 Associates, we strive to act as your trusted partner, offering objective guidance to help maximize your philanthropic impact while preserving and potentially enhancing your wealth for meaningful legacies. Download the full white paper to see how donor-advised funds can support more thoughtful, strategic, and lasting generosity. 

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NOTICE:  This explanation is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as or considered to be legal or tax advice.  You should always consult your tax advisor with any and all questions regarding any all tax and tax related matters, including any questions that you may have concerning tax strategies described generally above.​

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pre-retirement age couple donating to charity

Charitable Wealth Planning: Why Giving Matters for Your Denver Legacy

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Financial success often opens doors beyond personal comfort or generational inheritance. For many accomplished individuals in Denver, it also reveals a profound opportunity for meaningful contribution. Charitable giving, far from being a mere afterthought in financial planning, can become a core strategy that beautifully aligns your financial aspirations with your personal values and your vision for community impact.

At 5280 Associates in Denver, we understand that your wealth represents more than just a balance sheet. It's a tool for purposeful living, a means to support causes you believe in, and a way to build a lasting legacy. Integrating charitable wealth planning into your overall financial strategy involves intelligent design, maximizing your impact, and ensuring your resources serve your deepest intentions.

This discussion explores five compelling reasons why high-net-worth individuals are increasingly embracing thoughtful charitable financial planning. As you consider your own financial journey, these insights may prompt you to think more intentionally about the powerful role philanthropy can play.

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For many, financial decisions are an extension of personal beliefs. Philanthropy provides a powerful avenue to express deeply held values through your financial choices. Whether your passions lie in supporting local arts, advancing educational opportunities, improving community health, or promoting social equity, your giving becomes a tangible "vote" for the causes that resonate with you the most.

Donating goes beyond engaging in a financial transaction. It’s a way to align your resources with your values. When you take an active role in shaping your charitable giving plan, you gain a clearer understanding of the purpose behind your wealth, extending beyond mere accumulation. This intentional approach to giving often leads to a profound sense of fulfillment, reinforcing that your success can make a tangible difference in areas that truly matter to you.

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One of the most compelling aspects of strategic charitable giving is its potential for tax efficiencies, which can benefit you during your lifetime and beyond. Savvy donors in Denver often utilize advanced charitable giving strategies to help maximize their impact while supporting their financial position.

For example: consider the benefits of donating appreciated assets, such as stock or real estate, directly to charity. This approach can help you avoid capital gains taxes that would otherwise be due if you sold the assets yourself while still receiving a charitable deduction for the fair market value. Strategies like using a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) allow you to donate assets, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then get income payments back from the trust for a set period, with the remainder going to charity.

For those in early retirement or approaching it, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA offers the opportunity for a tax-efficient way to give. If you're 70½ or older, you can direct up to $105,000 (for 2024) annually from your IRA directly to a qualified charity. This distribution counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) but isn't included in your taxable income, can offer a powerful dual benefit.

Strategic timing is also key. Individuals with fluctuating high-income years might consider "bunching" donations into a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). This can allow you to claim a larger itemized deduction in a specific year, even if you distribute the funds to charities over several years. Understanding charitable deduction limits and how to effectively carry forward charitable deductions is crucial for optimizing your overall tax strategy.

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  • • Donor-Advised Fund (DAF): An accessible philanthropic vehicle that allows you to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to qualified charities over time.
  • • Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): An irrevocable trust that provides income to you (or other non-charitable beneficiaries) for a specified term, after which the remaining assets go to charity.
  • • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): A direct transfer of funds from an IRA to a qualified charity, reducing taxable income and satisfying RMDs for eligible individuals.
  • • Charitable Lead Trust (CLT): The inverse of a CRT, where a charity receives payments for a period, and then the remaining assets revert to you or your non-charitable beneficiaries.
  • • Charitable Gift Annuity: A contract where you make a gift to a charity and, in return, receive fixed payments for life.
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Thoughtful charitable giving can also be a wonderful way to bring generations together and instill values of responsibility and generosity. Structured giving, whether through starting a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) or a family foundation, creates a natural platform for engaging children and grandchildren in philanthropic discussions.

These conversations can open up dialogues about shared values, community needs, and the lasting impact of strategic giving. Imagine your family working together to identify causes, research organizations, and collectively decide where to direct grants. This process can help cultivate gratitude and stewardship in younger heirs, teaching them about the power and purpose of wealth beyond personal consumption.

Many families find that a DAF offers a simpler and more accessible entry point for family involvement compared to a private foundation, which typically involves more administrative complexity. The key is finding a vehicle that supports your family's desire for engagement while aligning with your overall charitable giving financial planning.

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For many financially independent individuals, the desire to leave a lasting mark extends beyond direct inheritance. Some choose to cap what their heirs receive directly, then direct excess wealth towards long-term causes that reflect their deepest vision for the future.

Tools like charitable lead trusts or charitable remainder trusts allow you to plan for significant giving that begins after your lifetime with the planning and structure put in place today. This approach helps ensure your philanthropic intentions are realized exactly as you envision.

Creating a legacy through philanthropy can take many forms: establishing endowed funds for a beloved university, funding scholarships in your family's name, or supporting a specific program within a Denver nonprofit that is close to your heart. These forms of planned giving aim to promote positive change for generations to come, well beyond your personal presence.

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Giving locally offers a profound way to strengthen your ties to the people and institutions that shape daily life in Denver. Supporting arts organizations, educational nonprofits, or local food banks allows you to see the direct impact of your generosity and build relationships with the leaders who are making a difference in your community.

High-net-worth donors often value this close connection to the organizations they support, enjoying the ability to witness the tangible results of their contributions. This engagement can lead to a deeper sense of accountability and belonging, fostering a fulfilling relationship with the community you've helped to build. Whether it's a charitable contribution of stock to a local museum or a charitable donation of real estate to a community land trust, your generosity can significantly enhance the fabric of Denver.

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Charitable wealth planning represents a sophisticated and powerful tool for achieving both your financial and legacy goals. It allows you to transform accumulated wealth into lasting impact, all while enjoying potential tax benefits and involving your family in a meaningful endeavor.

At 5280 Associates, we believe that intelligent giving is a cornerstone of comprehensive wealth management. We are here to help you explore how your philanthropic intentions can be seamlessly integrated into a plan that reflects your unique priorities—today and long into the future. Contact our team in Denver to begin a conversation about how you can align your wealth with your purpose.

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NOTICE:  This explanation is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as or considered to be legal or tax advice.  You should always consult your tax advisor with any and all questions regarding any all tax and tax related matters, including any questions that you may have concerning tax strategies described generally above.​

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How to Start a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

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What is a Donor-Advised Fund?

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A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable investment account that allows donors to make a substantial, upfront contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then distribute the funds to their chosen charities over time. This approach offers flexibility in charitable giving and is a powerful tool for tax-efficient charitable planning. It enables donors to optimize their tax benefits while thoughtfully planning their philanthropy. It’s important to note that contributions to a DAF are irrevocable, so having a sound financial plan is essential before getting started. 

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The Missed Opportunity for Charitable Deductions

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Imagine this: Jane, a passionate supporter of environmental causes, donates a few thousand dollars every year to her favorite charities. However, because she files a standard deduction on her taxes, she misses out on the benefits of itemizing her charitable donations. Frustrated by the lack of tax benefits, Jane feels disheartened, wondering if there's a better way to maximize her impact while taking advantage of tax benefits. 

This is where a donor-advised fund (DAF) can come into play. By opening a DAF, Jane could make a significant, upfront charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then spread her charitable giving over several years. Not only would she enjoy significant tax savings, but she could also carry forward the deduction for up to five years, allowing her to plan her philanthropy strategically. 

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How to Start a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

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1. Choose a Sponsoring Organization

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The first step in setting up a DAF is selecting a sponsoring organization. This could be a national charity, a community foundation, or a financial institution. Each sponsor has different minimum contribution requirements, fees, and investment options, so choosing one that aligns with your charitable goals and financial situation is essential. 

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2. Make Your Initial Contribution

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Once you've selected a sponsoring organization, you'll need to make an initial contribution to fund your DAF. Your initial contribution can be cash, stocks, or other assets. The amount you contribute is tax-deductible in the year you make it, providing you with an immediate tax benefit. If you choose to donate appreciated securities, you'll also avoid paying capital gains tax.

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3. Select Investment Options

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After funding your DAF, you must decide how the assets should be invested. Most sponsoring organizations offer a range of investment options, from conservative to aggressive portfolios. The returns generated by these investments can grow tax-free, increasing the amount available for charitable grants over time. 

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4. Recommend Grants to Charities

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With your DAF funded and invested, you can now start recommending grants to your favorite charities. You can advise on how much and how often to distribute funds. There's no rush—grants can be distributed over several years, allowing you to support charities when they need it most. With advanced giving strategies, the capital in your DAF can continue to grow tax-free, which boosts your charitable impact. 

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5. Keep Records and Stay Informed

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It's important to keep thorough records of your contributions and grants and stay informed about the rules and regulations governing DAFs. For example, while you have advisory privileges, the final decision on grant approvals rests with the sponsoring organization, and there are restrictions on certain types of charities. The IRS offers a search tool that allows donors to confirm whether or not an organization is tax-exempt and eligible to receive contributions from a DAF.

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Start a Donor-Advised Fund with Professional Guidance 

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Starting a DAF can be a powerful way to maximize your charitable giving while optimizing tax benefits; however, the process can also be complex. This is where the charitable giving experts at 5280 Associates can help. Our team can guide you through each step, ensuring that your DAF aligns with your overall financial goals and philanthropic vision. We'll help you navigate the nuances, from choosing the right sponsoring organization to selecting investment options that can grow your charitable contributions. 

Ready to start your Donor-Advised Fund? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward impactful, tax-efficient philanthropy. 

 

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NOTICE:  This explanation is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as or considered to be legal or tax advice.  You should always consult your tax advisor with any and all questions regarding any all tax and tax related matters, including any questions that you may have concerning tax strategies described generally above.​

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