Donor Advised Fund

Your charitable interests focus on conservation, but you also support a variety of nonprofit organizations besides MDA. You like the flexibility of being able to direct your support to organizations that are accomplishing much or facing particular challenges each year.

But – you are feeling the pressure of making multiple gifts to various charities, especially at year-end, and of ensuring that each gift is received and acknowledged. You have considered establishing a private foundation, but are put off by the ongoing fees and administrative obligations.

There is a convenient alternative. MDA’s Donor Advised Fund allows you to manage your charitable giving simply and efficiently. Designed for conservation-minded individuals, our donor advised funds give you and your family the flexibility to recommend support for MDA programs as well as to other charitable organizations.

With a fully deductible gift of $100,000 or more in cash, appreciated securities or property to MDA, you can create a fund in your name or in the name of a loved one. You then recommend distributions from your fund both for MDA programs and to other charitable organizations, on your own timetable – no more year-end rush. You can involve family members in the process or give them the right to recommend distributions, encouraging them to become responsible philanthropists themselves.

You incur none of the legal, administrative or reporting requirements with a donor advised fund that you do with a private foundation. Neither start-up nor ongoing administrative fees are charged. Meanwhile, the assets in your fund are growing tax-free. MDA administers the fund, writes the checks and makes the distributions in the fund’s name. You receive documentation of all distributions made within each period, and statements on the balance of your fund.

We review your recommendations for distributions, and approve them unless they would benefit you or your family, or an organization whose values are in conflict with those of MDA’s.

At least 5 percent of your fund must be distributed annually, and at least 20 percent of the annual distributions must support MDA projects of your choice. Similarly, should you or your heirs terminate the fund, at least 20 percent of the principal balance must be directed to MDA projects. You can make additional gifts of $1,000 or more to your fund at any time.

If you are a hands-on donor, consider the flexibility and practicality of a donor advised fund.

For more information

Email us, complete the personal illustration form, or call us at 800-223-6011 so that we can assist you through every step of the process.