How to Use Your Donor-Advised Fund

Thank you for choosing the Community Foundation as your partner in philanthropy. We hope you will find that your donor-advised fund (DAF) offers you a simple, flexible way to support the organizations and causes that you care about. This page is designed to answer common questions and introduce the many services we offer for fund advisors like you.

Using the MyGiving portal

MyGiving is our online portal for fundholders. It allows you to interact with your charitable fund via a secure, password-protected platform that’s mobile-friendly and easy to use. Use the portal to request grants out to your favorite charities, view your current balance, and see historical contributions and grant history. It is also where we will publish statements of activity and other important documents related to your fund.

Instructions for setting up your MyGiving account were included in the welcome email you received when you opened your DAF. If you need help accessing your account, please email donorsupport@cnycf.org.

Visit the MyGiving how-to page on our website for more information on the MyGiving portal.

Requesting a grant from your fund

Grant requests can be submitted through the MyGiving portal or by emailing our staff at donorsupport@cnycf.org. Step-by-step instructions for submitting a grant request in MyGiving can be found on our how-to page. The minimum grant amount is $100 and we ask that you make a grant at least once every three (3) years in order to keep your charitable fund active.

You can designate your grant for general support, or for a specific program or activity. You can also make internal grants to one of our other funds here at the Community Foundation.

Grantmaking Guidelines

Grants from donor-advised funds can support 501(c)(3) public charities, religious organizations, schools, government entities and even some foundations. There are a few limitations based on federal law and IRS regulations, however we verify the eligibility of the charity and the intended use of funding prior to processing your grant. The following guidelines will help you determine whether you should recommend a grant from your DAF or use another method (like a personal check) when giving to an organization or cause. If you’re unsure, please contact us before submitting your grant request.

Events

A grant from your DAF can support or sponsor an event, but only if you do not accept tickets provided by the charity to attend the event. The IRS also does not allow a grant from your fund to pay only for the tax-deductible portion of tickets or event tables.

What you can do: Designate your grant to sponsor a table at a gala or a page in the event program and decline the complimentary tickets provided in exchange for your support. Use personal funds to purchase tickets separately to attend the event.

Pledges

If you use the word “pledge” when recommending a grant from your DAF we may follow-up to confirm that you are not intending to fulfill a legally binding pledge. Grants from DAFs cannot be used to satisfy legally enforceable pledges that have already been made to a charity.

What you can do: You can fulfill pledge installments using a grant from your DAF, as long as the pledge is not legally binding. Or set up a recurring grant from your DAF to automatically fulfill a multi-year commitment to the charity on a schedule which you determine (e.g., $5,000 every June for five years; total commitment = $25,000).

Benefits & Memberships

Benefits & Memberships

If you recommend a DAF grant for a membership at a charity, you will waive your right to benefits that may come with being a member. The letter that accompanies your grant to the organization will include the following language: “In order to comply with federal regulations governing donor-advised funds, the donor waives any non-incidental benefits associated with this contribution to your organization.” Please note that some nonprofits will no longer accept DAF grants to pay for memberships. If this is the case, the organization will typically return the check to us and we will credit back your fund.

Examples of incidental benefits: Coffee mugs, key chains, calendars, intangible religious benefits.

Examples of non-incidental benefits: Tuition, scholarships, tickets to attend charitable events, rights to tickets for athletic events.

Grants to Nonprofits That Promote Hate & Violence

In keeping with our mission, vision and institutional values, the Community Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for all residents through the management and deployment of charitable funds. To this end, we honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and will not support organizations through our funds which attack or cause harm to individuals or groups on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or other protected status. We also recognize that philanthropy is reflected in the principles of the First Amendment and we do not regulate the ideology of our donors, fundholders or grantees.

Grantmaking Activity Requirements

Distributing charitable dollars to nonprofits that serve our region is core to our mission and is part of what makes community foundations such an important resource. To ensure that money held in our charitable funds is getting out into the community where it can do good, we ask that you make a grant from your fund at least once every three (3) years. Our staff will reach out to remind you of this guideline if your fund has been inactive for two years or more.

If your fund goes three (3) years without grantmaking activity, we will distribute a grant on your behalf to our Community Fund in an amount consistent with our spending policy.

If you plan to postpone distributions from your fund for a period of time for some reason (e.g., you are building your fund balance for a large distribution or to reach a certain level), please let us know by emailing donorsupport@cnycf.org.

Adding Money to Your Fund

The most common ways to replenish a fund are with gifts of cash (check or credit card) orcappreciated securities. We suggest when gifting securities during November and December that you start the process early to avoid the year-end rush. Visit our What to Give page for stock transfer instructions and to learn more about other giving options available to you.

Other people can give to your fund as well, as a way to celebrate a birthday or milestone, using your fund’s personalized giving page. Contact us for a direct link and/or QR code.

For more information on giving through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) see How do I give through a qualified charitable distribution or charitable IRA rollover?

Statements of Activity

We produce statements of activity for donor-advised funds twice a year, for the periods ending June 30 and December 31. Investment activity will appear on your statement if your fund participates in our investment pool.

You will receive an email each time your statements are available to view and download in your MyGiving account under Resources & Documents. View a sample statement here.

Supporting Strategic Initiatives & Grant Programs with Your DAF

Deciding which charities to give to can seem overwhelming. Making a grant from your fund to a Community Foundation strategic initiative or program whose focus area aligns with your interests is an easy and comprehensive solution. Our Community Fund, Black Equity & Excellence, LeadSafeCNY, Strategic Partnership or Madison Rural Poverty funds address the greatest needs in our community. You can transfer an amount you choose from your donor-advised fund to any of our other funds by entering the name of that fund as the recipient on your grant request form. Find a strategic initiative or fund you’d like to support here.

Succession Plan

A succession plan refers to what will happen to your fund after you pass away. If you did not define a succession plan when you signed your fund agreement, please contact us so we can document your wishes. There are numerous options for how your fund can operate in the future. If there is no plan in place at the time you pass away, the balance of your fund will transfer into our Community Fund to support our grantmaking programs and strategic initiatives serving the people of Central New York.

SAMPLE DOCUMENTS

Other Resources & Services We Offer

Connecting You with the Causes You Care About

Researching nonprofits that align with your charitable interests is one of the ways we put our expertise to work for you. It also gives us insight into which causes are meaningful to you so we can serve you better.

Looking through grants awarded through our Community Grants program is another great way to discover charities you can support through your fund. We invite nonprofits to apply twice a year through our Community Grants program to fund innovative projects and programs. This helps keep us apprised of our region’s evolving needs and how nonprofits are addressing them. Each organization that receives a grant is vetted by our staff, so you can feel confident in the charities you choose to support through your fund. View past Community Grants or contact us to request more personalized research.

Another resource for making well-informed grant decisions is our CNY Vitals website. This state-of-the-community website combines data with stories to provide donors with a clear picture of our region’s greatest needs.

Engaging Your Family in Philanthropy

Many donors involve their children when deciding which charities to support through their donor-advised fund. Our staff can suggest ways to guide your conversations with family around philanthropy, the role your fund has in your charitable giving and how they can be a part of it. We are also available to facilitate family meetings, craft mission and vision statements for families, and help to bring your children into the culture of giving in an age-appropriate way. Get started by visiting our family philanthropy resource page.

Creating a Charitable Legacy

Opening a fund with us during your lifetime can be the first step to leaving a lasting legacy to charity. How your fund operates after you pass away is up to you – let us help you plan for it. Succession plan options include naming successor advisors, setting up annual grants for your favorite charities in perpetuity or creating an endowment that will provide ongoing support for our community’s changing needs over time. We offer services to guide you through the discernment process, and help ensure your charitable legacy endures. Contact us today to define a succession plan for your fund, and discuss legacy planning options that are right for you. Visit our Legacy Giving resource page to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I access my fund online?

Instructions for setting up your MyGiving account were included in the welcome email you received when you opened your fund. If you need help logging in, contact our staff at donorsupport@cnycf.org. Refer to our how to guide for help navigating your account.

What kinds of organizations can I support through my fund?

501(c)(3) public charities, religious organizations, schools, government entities and even some foundations are all eligible to receive grants from your fund. Grants cannot be made to individuals. Refer to the Grantmaking Guidelines for more information.

How will I know if an organization is eligible to receive a grant?

Our staff researches and verifies the eligibility of every organization to ensure your grant will comply with federal guidelines and best practices. If the charity you want to support ends up being ineligible we’ll let you know, and can even offer alternatives.

Can I remain anonymous?

Yes. Each time you request a grant you have the option to have your name, address and fund name withheld from the letter we send to the charity. Refer to the Sample Grant Letter for more information.

How long does it take for my grant requests to be processed?

Grant checks are mailed each Thursday. If your request reaches us by noon on Tuesday, the grant check can be sent out that same week. Holidays may affect this schedule and we will post on MyGiving about any holiday-related delays in check processing. November/December is an exceptionally busy time for grantmaking, so we suggest submitting requests by December 1st if you want charities to receive a check by the end of the year.

How will I know my grant has been sent out?

In the MyGiving portal under Grant Requests, the status of the grant will appear as “Paid” or “Complete.”

Will I receive fund statements?

We produce statements of activity for donor-advised funds twice a year, for the periods ending June 30 and December 31. You will receive an email each time your statements are available to view and download in your MyGiving account under Resources & Documents. MyGiving also provides 24/7 access to up-to-date transaction information.

How often can I request grants out of my fund?

As often as you’d like! We do ask that fundholders make grants to charities at least once every three (3) years, and we’ll reach out to you after two years of inactivity as a gentle reminder. If your fund goes three years without grantmaking activity, we will distribute a grant on your behalf to our Community Fund in an amount consistent with our spending policy.

How do I give through a qualified charitable distribution or charitable IRA rollover?

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from traditional IRAs have become one of the fastest growing types of charitable gift. One of the appealing factors of QCDs is that they can be made to any public charity or house of worship, as long as the gifts are made outright. However, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 specifically prohibits QCDs to donor-advised funds or private foundations. Therefore, when using a QCD to make a gift to a community foundation, the gift must be directed to a permanent fund – like our Community Fund, or any of our endowments or strategic initiative funds.

You can still use your IRA to direct assets into your DAF, however such distributions do not count as QCDs and you will have to first recognize those distributions from your IRA as income. Please contact us with questions, and consult with your financial planner or tax advisor about the best option for you.

Have more questions?

Contact our Philanthropic Services staff at donorsupport@cnycf.org

Using the MyGiving portal

Requesting a grant from your fund

Grantmaking Guidelines

Grantmaking Activity Requirements

Adding Money to Your Fund

Statements of Activity

Supporting Strategic Initiatives & Grant Programs with Your DAF

Succession Plan

SAMPLE DOCUMENTS

Other Resources & Services We Offer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I access my fund online?

What kinds of organizations can I support through my fund?

How will I know if an organization is eligible to receive a grant?

Can I remain anonymous?

How long does it take for my grant requests to be processed?

How will I know my grant has been sent out?

Will I receive fund statements?

How often can I request grants out of my fund?

How do I give through a qualified charitable distribution or charitable IRA rollover?

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