The Power of Your Donor Advised Fund

Donor advised funds are one of the most popular ways to support charitable causes. Thanks to their tax benefits and easy accounting, there’s no better time to discover this convenient, easy way to give to the University of Michigan.

What Is It?

A donor advised fund is an account you set up with a charitable sponsor such as a community foundation or financial services company. You can open one with a written agreement that gives you (or other family members) the right to recommend distributions to nonprofits such as U-M.

You contribute to your fund and qualify for a tax deduction at the time that you make the gift. Your gift is then invested and grows tax-free until you choose to recommend a grant to the qualified nonprofit institution of your choosing. You can also support multiple charitable organizations without having to retain records for each contribution.

Your fund’s impact can last a long time. You can choose family members or friends to continue to recommend grants to charitable organizations, continuing your personal legacy and passing on the value of philanthropy.

In addition to giving directly from your DAF to U-M, you can also name U-M as a beneficiary to receive all or part of the account after your lifetime. If you choose to do so, please let us know of your gift so we can ensure you’re recognized for your generosity and that your wishes are carried out as you would see fit.

Please contact the Office of Planned Giving at (734) 615-2022 or giving2@umich.edu to learn more about how your DAF can become your legacy.