Donor-advised funds: So much to celebrate

Establishing a donor-advised fund is a great first step when building a comprehensive charitable giving plan. And October is an especially good time to evaluate the role of a donor-advised fund as part of your philanthropic strategy! That’s because October 9 is DAF Day 2025, a national celebration of donor-advised funds and the impact they make in communities everywhere.

The power of DAFs lies in their simplicity & flexibility:

• Contribute – Make a tax-deductible contribution of cash, securities or illiquid assets.
• Invest – Keep the account balance invested in the market, which grows tax-free.
• Distribute – Recommend cash gifts to eligible charities any time.

DAFs can be established at Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) and if you already have a donor-advised fund at a national financial institution, the good news is that it’s never too late to transfer the fund to MCF. You’ll be glad to know that donor-advised funds at MCF can carry the same tax and administrative advantages as those at national firms, including:

• Online account access and simple grant request processes
• Consolidated tax reporting and full back-office administration
• Useful as a tool for “bunching” by front-loading several years of charitable giving into a single tax year to exceed the standard deduction threshold
• Dollars in the fund support favorite charities over time, enabling strategic giving

Here’s how a donor-advised fund at MCF maximizes its impact:

• Personal guidance and deep community knowledge of staff members who live and work in our region
• Close relationships with nonprofit leaders and organizations across many fields
• Tailored advice, local insights, and opportunities to collaborate with others who share donors’ interests
• Administrative fees supports the work of Midlands Community Foundation, which in turn help sustain and expand MCF’s impact in Sarpy and Cass counties.

If you haven’t yet set up a donor-advised fund at MCF, we would love the opportunity to help you organize your giving. Here, your fund will be managed with the highest level of care, grounded in a true understanding of community needs, and supported by professionals who are committed not only to your charitable goals but also to the health and vibrancy of our region. Together, we can make sure your charitable assets accomplish exactly what you intend—whether that means making an immediate difference, planning for the future, or both.