Donor Advised Funds (DAF)

A smart, flexible way to support the Ann Richards School Foundation.

What is a Donor Advised Fund?

A donor advised fund (DAF) is like a philanthropic investment account created to support the causes you care about. You can contribute cash, securities, or other assets and receive an immediate tax deduction in the year you give.

Unlike direct donations, contributions to a DAF can grow tax-free over time, increasing your impact. You then recommend grants from your fund to public charities at your own pace, even in a different tax year from when you made your contribution.

You can also name successors or charitable beneficiaries, making a DAF a powerful tool for legacy giving that extends your impact beyond your lifetime.

Benefits of Giving Through a DAF

  • Immediate tax benefits with flexibility to grant later
  • Tax-free growth of invested funds
  • Simplicity: consolidate your charitable giving in one place
  • Flexibility to support causes over time
  • Legacy giving through successor or beneficiary designations
  • No minimum payout requirements, unlike private foundations
  • Privacy and ease: simple record keeping and no separate tax filings

How to Give Through a DAF

Online with DAF Direct

If your DAF is managed by Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or BNY Mellon, you can recommend a grant directly through the DAF Direct widget below.

How it works:

  1. Select your sponsoring organization
  2. Enter the donation amount
  3. Click “Next” to be directed to your provider’s website to complete the gift

By Mail

If your DAF sponsor does not participate in DAF Direct, please recommend a grant through your provider and have them direct your gift to:

Ann Richards School Foundation
EIN:25-4231160
2309 Panther Trail
Austin, TX 78704

Checks should be made payable to: Ann Richards School Foundation

To ensure we can acknowledge your generous gift, please provide your name, fund name, and address.

Wire Transfer

Gifts may also be sent via wire transfer. Please contact us for instructions or assistance.

Designating ARSF as a Successor-in-Interest

Consider naming the Ann Richards School Foundation as a successor-in-interest to a percentage of your donor advised fund. This allows your legacy of support to continue after your lifetime, similar to naming a beneficiary on a retirement account.

For more information, please contact your DAF sponsor or reach out to:

Wendy Newberg
wendy@annrichardsschool.org
512.414.3236

FAQs About Donor Advised Funds

How do DAFs work?

You contribute assets (cash, stock, real estate, etc.) to your DAF, receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to nonprofits like ARSF over time. Your contributions can be invested and grow tax-free until granted.

Are contributions tax-deductible?

Yes, contributions are generally deductible up to IRS limits based on the type of asset and your adjusted gross income. Always consult your tax advisor.

Can I support ARSF through any DAF?

Yes, you can recommend a grant to ARSF through any donor advised fund provider.

Important Note

The IRS prohibits the use of donor advised funds where more than an incidental benefit is received by the donor in return (e.g., event tickets, tables, or auction purchases). These must be funded personally outside of a donor advised fund. Please consult your DAF administrator for guidance.