An Evening of Music & Stories of HOPE

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is an investment account dedicated to supporting the charities you care about—like TheHopeLine. DAFs are the fastest-growing way to give in the United States because they offer a simple, flexible, and tax-smart approach to charitable giving. Your generosity can grow over time, allowing you to make a lasting impact in the lives of others.

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) can be opened by individuals, families, companies, foundations, and other entities who want a flexible way to manage charitable giving.

• Individuals: Anyone 18 or older with the legal capacity to donate can open a DAF.
• Families: Some DAFs allow family accounts, so parents or grandparents can involve children in charitable giving.
• Companies: Corporations or small business owners can use a DAF for corporate philanthropy.

Opening a Donor-Advised Fund is simple and can usually be done online or with the help of a sponsoring organization, such as a community foundation (like the National Christian Foundation) or a financial services provider (such as Fidelity Charitable or DAFGiving360). The basic steps are:

1. Choose a sponsoring organization: Research and select a DAF provider that aligns with your giving goals.

2. Make an initial contribution: Fund your account with cash, stocks, or other eligible assets. Minimum opening amounts vary by sponsor, though some—such as Fidelity Charitable and DAFGiving360—allow you to open an account with no minimum.

3. Invest your Funds: The funds can be invested and grow tax-free, giving you the potential to increase your charitable impact.

4. Recommend grants: Once your fund is established, you can start recommending charitable grants to IRS-qualified nonprofits—like TheHopeLine.

5. Manage your fund: Many DAFs offer online dashboards to track contributions, investments, and grants, making it easy to manage your giving strategy.

• Minimize taxes on appreciated assets: Donations of long-term appreciated securities or assets can help you avoid paying capital gains tax.

• Immediate tax deduction: You can claim a tax deduction for the full fair market value of your contribution, subject to IRS limits.

• Flexibility: DAFs allow you to give a variety of assets, not just cash, making it easy to use what you already have.

• Simplicity: Combine your charitable giving in one account for easier tracking and planning.

• Build a lasting legacy: Establish a philanthropic tradition that can impact future generations.