For those who are very charitably inclined, there often comes a time to consider formalizing philanthropy through a major gift to a public charity, establishing a private foundation, opening a donor advised fund, or selecting another charitable planned giving vehicle. Before deciding which option is best, however, a donor will need to consider several questions:
- What tax deduction limits against AGI are needed?
- How much time do I have to commit to the administrative responsibilities?
- Do I want/need to hire people to help pursue my charitable mission?
- Do I anticipate making grants to individuals, such as in a scholarship fund?
- Do I want to maintain control over investment management?
- How important is anonymity in my grantmaking?
- What’s the long-term legacy I wish to leave?
- How will I involve the next generation?
Direct gifts to a public charity
If a donor is certain about the recipient organization and how the donation should be used, giving a gift directly to a public charity may be the best option. The donor receives the tax deduction in the year in which the gift was made (for the 2021 tax year up to 100% of adjusted gross income for cash gifts and 30% of adjusted gross income for gifts of stock or real estate). Gifts can be made anonymously. But once the gift is made, the donor relinquishes control of the funds to the charity.
Private foundations
Private foundations offer the most control and flexibility for donors. Donors who establish private foundations maintain control of the investments of the endowment, distributions of grants, and administrative decisions. Foundations are established as independent entities and must apply for and maintain tax-exempt status. Private foundations can give to public charities, operating foundations, individuals, international organizations, and other private foundations.1 Donors receive a tax deduction in the year in which the gift is made.1
Donor advised funds
Donors who don’t know what specific charities they want to give to, or aren’t ready to make one large gift to a single organization, may choose to open a donor advised fund (DAF). These are funds which are established at a sponsoring public charity in the name of the donor. The donor receives the tax deduction (and relinquishes control of the gift) in the year in which the gift is made. However, the donor then can make subsequent recommendations for grant distributions to qualified public charities.
The chart below provides additional information for donors seeking to formalize their philanthropy with a private foundation or donor advised fund.
About Truist’s Foundations and Endowments Specialty Practice
Truist has more than a century of experience working with not-for-profit organizations. Fiduciary stewardship is the heart of our culture. We’re not just a provider, but an invested partner—sharing responsibility for prudent management of not-for-profit assets. Our client commitment, not-for-profit experience, and fiduciary culture are significant advantages for our clients and set us apart. The Foundations and Endowments Specialty Practice works exclusively with not-for- profit organizations. Our institutional teams include professionals with extensive not-for-profit expertise. These professionals are actively engaged in the not-for profit community and are able to share best practices that are meaningful to their clients. Team members offer guidance and advice tailored to the various subsets of the not-for-profit community, including trade associations and membership organizations. Our Practice delivers comprehensive investment advisory, administration, planned giving, custody, trust and fiduciary services to trade associations, educational institutions, foundations, endowments and other not-for profit clients across the country.
Interested in having a deeper conversation about formalized philanthropy?
Contact your Truist relationship manager or investment advisor or call us at 866-223-1499.