“Professional advisor” is a term we use to describe wealth managers, financial planners, accountants, insurance professionals, attorneys, and others who work with charitable clients.

A Donor-Advised Fund is a fund from which your client can make charitable grants to tax-exempt organizations doing charitable work. Donors make a gift to establish the fund, using assets including cash, stock or other assets – and receive an immediate tax deduction. Those charitable dollars are grown through investing. Donors may choose one of the Community Foundation’s investment pools, or dollars may be invested through the donor’s own financial advisor. Then, donors recommend grants to their favorite nonprofit groups around Boulder County and beyond.

A Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation has many benefits – and is often an advantageous alternative to either a private foundation or a commercial gift fund. Compared to a private foundation, setting up a Donor-Advised Fund is more tax-advantaged, faster and less expensive to establish, and simpler to run. The Community Foundation acts as both staff and back office.

A Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation is a high-service, personalized experience, which differentiates it from commercial options. By working with us, donors receive:

• administrative and grant services for the donor’s fund, including due diligence, check writing, and evaluation;
• complete anonymity, should the donor desire that;
• ongoing educational offerings on community issues of interest;
• philanthropic advising services, including work on fund mission statements, giving plan, and grantee research;
• family philanthropy facilitation to help include and structure philanthropy as a family venture;
• investment management, accounting and tax reporting (including the fact that the donor does not need to file an individual 990); and
• the knowledge that fund fees are being put to work in this community.

The minimum to estblish a fund is $25K. After the fund is established at that amount, there is no minimum fund balance.

Call us at 303.442.0436, or contact us at Philanthropic Services.

Less than an hour once a donor has made a decision to move forward. There is a fund agreement to sign – and the fund is up and running.

If you have a client who wants to name their fund (or a different fund) at the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of their will or trust, life insurance policy, or retirement plan account, the following may be helpful in completing their estate planning documents or beneficiary designation forms.

Sample bequest language: 

I give to the Community Foundation, a Colorado nonprofit organization, (the sum of $ _____); (_____ percent of my estate); (the following property: _____); or (the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) for general purposes, or for the specific purpose of ___________________ (designate purpose).

After describing what is being left to the fund, simply say it will pass "to the Community Foundation for the [name of your client’s or other fund]." 

Our staff will be happy to work with you and your client to establish a fund during your client’s lifetime to receive assets at their death. By working together ahead of time, we can ensure your client’s fund will carry out their charitable goals beyond their lifetime.

As a reminder, Community Foundation Boulder County is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Our tax identification number (EIN) is 84-1171836.

Community Foundation Boulder County is open to accepting the following gift types, subject to the discretion of our Legal Committee and our Board of Trustees:

• charitable gifts of real estate
• charitable gifts of business interests (including closely held stock)
• charitable gifts of personal property (e.g., artwork, patents, and collections)
• deferred gifts (e.g., life insurance policies, retirement plans, and bequests)

What are complex assets?

Yes, financial advisors may manage their clients' Donor-Advised Funds. Learn more about our Financial Advisor Program.

Yes. Read more about how to talk giving.

Call us at 303.442.0436, or contact us at Philanthropic Services.