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Contact Ellen Tolleson Hegge at 507-424-2407 or ellen@rochesterarea.org with any of your questions about opening or giving to a fund.

Donor Advised Fund

A donor advised fund is a popular and flexible vehicle for giving.

 

“We wanted a consistent, long-term way to give back to our communities, and an endowed donor advised fund through Rochester Area Foundation was the way to do it.” Craig Curley, Co-Owner and General Manager, Superior Mechanical

You can choose to set aside charitable dollars as you wish, then over the years make grant recommendations to charities, causes, and issues of your choice. Advised funds may be created by an individual, family, group, business or charitable organization to allow flexibility in your giving. You can make contributions to your fund at any time and take a tax deduction for the year in which the gift is made.

With a donor advised fund, you recommend grants on your own timetable to any charity that meets IRS guidelines, while we support administrative details. Our grant allocation procedure protects you by ensuring your grantees meet the legal standards for charitable
intent. Donor Advised Funds can be started with $10,000 or more.

After the passing of the last fund advisor, donor advised funds can retain your name and preserve your legacy as field of interest funds that honor and support your favorite causes forever, or as a gift to the Better Communities Fund to support a broad range of needs. Rochester Area Foundation staff will work with you to create a post-advisory plan to honor your charitable intentions.

Key Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund:

  • Advised funds are a cost-effective and efficient alternative to a private or family foundation. Review a comparison of Donor Advised Funds and a Private Foundation.
  • Advised funds can be named to recognize the donor(s), a family member, friend or organization. Or, you can select a name for the fund that ensures your anonymity.
  • RAF can accept contributions of many types of assets, including stock and real estate.
  • You can recommend distributions online through RAF’s secure website.
  • Our donor engagement team can help you learn more about the nonprofits working in the areas you wish to support.
  • You can name a second-generation advisor to make recommendations from the fund into the future.