Home | Gift Planning | Donor Advised Funds
If you want to simplify and consolidate your charitable giving while directing disbursements to KU Endowment and other charitable organizations, consider establishing a donor-advised fund through KU Endowment’s Charitable Gift Fund. These funds allow donors to take an active role in benefiting chosen organizations, and also provide an excellent way for families to build a tradition of philanthropy.
Advantages to Consider
Simplicity, convenience and flexibility are key benefits of a donor-advised fund created through KU Endowment’s Charitable Gift Fund. Contributions to these funds may be distributed to charities throughout the country. We request that at least 50 percent of the distributions be for the benefit of KU Endowment.
A donor-advised fund also allows you to separate the timing of your gift from your recommendations for its use. You could make a gift now and receive the charitable deduction this year on your income taxes, but delay the recommendation on the use of your contribution until sometime in the future.
Investing in a donor-advised fund allows you to make a long-term commitment to helping others.
Donor-advised Fund Guidelines
A donor-advised fund established with the KU Endowment Charitable Gift Fund is required to have a minimum initial balance of $250,000, or a commitment from the donor to reach that level within a reasonable time. The minimum disbursement to a charitable organization is $1,000. Disbursements are made no more frequently than annually, in the fourth quarter of the calendar year.
The Gift Fund may assess an annual administrative fee of up to 1 percent of the fair market value of the donor-advised fund. Such fees apply in addition to any investment management expenses incurred by or charged to the Gift Fund on funds invested in the investment pool. The Gift Fund will issue an annual report to donors including information about assets held and all receipts and disbursements during the report period.
The Office of Gift Planning staff is ready to consult with you and/or your adviser about donor-advised funds at KU Endowment, and to help with questions about other forms of charitable giving that may benefit you, your family and the University of Kansas.
Summary of benefits:
- Satisfaction in supplying flexible benefits to KU
- Ability to direct giving as you desire, to benefit numerous charitable organizations
- An immediate charitable income tax deduction
- Reduced federal estate tax
- Simplicity and convenience
- Membership in the Watkins Society or the Bell Legacy Society
The information on this site is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney, tax professional or investment professional.