Donor Advised Fund
Investment Information & Choices
The U.S. Charitable Gift Trust® ("USCGT") is an IRS-approved, tax-qualified public charity that receives donations from Americans nationwide and makes gifts to charities recommended by its donors.
As donors make contributions to USCGT, also known as the Donor Advised Fund ("DAF"), they are immediately eligible to receive all of the tax benefits of giving, but can decide later which causes their wealth will support.
The charitable contributions accepted by USCGT are irrevocable. Account values will fluctuate. The Funds are not guaranteed or insured by any governmental body. Potential donors should consult their tax advisors. The Funds are not available in Puerto Rico.
All information herein is qualified by the Gifting Booklet of the Trust, which contains more details (including annual fees).
How the DAF Works
- When you make a contribution to the DAF, you are then eligible for an immediate income tax deduction. Your taxable estate will also be reduced.
- Your contributions are invested in your choice of five diversified investment pools, three of which offer the potential for growth and one which targets wealth preservation, and the fifth, which is a money market fund.
- You may then recommend grants to IRS-approved (tax-exempt under Code Section 501(c)(3)) U.S. charities as described in the USCGT Gifting Booklet.
You are encouraged to consult with your tax advisor or accountant prior to finalizing the Donor Information Form. Tax benefits depend upon your individual circumstances.
Who’s Eligible to Donate
- The DAF will accept contributions from individuals, companies, trusts, estates, and others.
- The DAF will also accept contributions from other donor-advised funds and private foundations, although such donations are not tax-deductible to the individual making the grant.
Acceptable Contributions
- Cash.
- Securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certain restricted stocks & privately held stock)
- Real Estate.
- A minimum initial donation of $10,000 is required, after which subsequent minimum $1,000 donations may be made.
Investing Options
Five professionally managed investment funds are available, each with different objectives and risk/reward profiles. All are invested in portfolios registered with the Securities and Exchange Commision and composed solely of DAF assets.
You may allocate contributions among the five Funds. Transfers among Funds are permitted, with approval by the Board of Directors.
Funds' Portfolio Composition
Growth Pool
The Pool seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in common stocks. It has the highest potential for long-term appreciation (and depreciation) of the five available funds.
Designed for donors seeking the highest possible growth potential for their gift within the DAF and who are comfortable with the volatility associated with equity investing. Eaton Vance's:
- International Equity Portfolio
- Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
- Large-Cap Value Portfolio
- Multi-Cap Growth Portfolio
- Small-Cap Portfolio
- SMID Cap Portfolio
Growth & Income Pool
The Pool seeks total return by investing primarily in income-producing equity securities and investment-grade debt obligations. The Fund seeks to realize both capital appreciation and current income.
Designed for donors who wish their gift to grow but who are comfortable with a more conservative approach to equity investing. Eaton Vance's:
- Dividend Income Portfolio
- Floating Rate Portfolio
- Global Macro Portfolio
- High Income Portfolio
- International Equity Portfolio
- Investment Grade Income Portfolio
- Large-Cap Growth Portfolio
- Large-Cap Value Portfolio
- Multi-Cap Growth Portfolio
- Small-Cap Growth Portfolio
Income Pool
The Fund seeks current income from a variety of debt and other income producing securities. The Fund's principal value will fluctuate.
Designed for donors who are uncomfortable with the volatility of equities, but wish to see their gift enjoy the growth potential of reinvested income. Eaton Vance's:
- Dividend Income Portfolio
- Floating Rate Portfolio
- Global Macro Portfolio
- Government Obligations Portfolio
- High Income Portfolio
- Investment Grade Portfolio
Gift Preservation Pool
The Pool invests in money market instruments and debt securities with low interest-rate risk. The Fund is not a money market fund and has some principal risk. The rate of income will vary, generally reflecting prevailing short-term interest rates.
- Cash Management Portfolio
- Floating Rate Portfolio
- Global Macro Portfolio
- Government Obligations Portfolio
- Investment Grade Portfolio
Cash Management Portfolio
The portfolio invests in high-quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments such as securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, and high-quality short-term obligations issued by banks and corporations.
Investment Advisor
Eaton Vance Management and its affiliates has provided professional investment management services since 1924 and is a recognized leader in tax-sensitive investment strategies. The company sells its products exclusively through financial advisors.
Account Features
- You may choose any name for your DAF, subject to Board of Director approval. For example, you may select a name to reflect your philanthropic intentions, e.g., "The Jones Family Medical Research Philanthropic Fund," or you may choose a name such as "The Samuel. J. Jones Charitable Giving Fund."
- You can add other individuals that you would like as Donor Advisors (a joint account), including your spouse, children, or other descendants or representatives.
- You may name Successor Donor Advisors to continue the grant making process after your death.
- You may change these account features at any time.
Grants
- Donors and Donor Advisors may recommend grants of $250 or more at any time to qualified U.S. charities.
- All grant recommendations are subject to review and approval of the Board of Directors.
- Once approved, the grant check and accompanying letter will be sent to the recipient organization. The letter is personalized per the donor's instructions, unless requested to be anonymous, and provides the
- DAF's name and donor's information.
- During the first year, grants of more than 20% of the initial account value plus any additional contribution will be assessed a 1% administrative charge. No additional transaction fees, charges, or restrictions apply after the first 12 months.
Donor Communications
- All contributions, grants and transfers will have written acknowledgement mailed within five business days of processing.
- Contribution acknowledgements serve as your tax receipts.
- Quarterly statements report the account balance and transaction details for the period.
- Internet account access available through My Charitable Fund.
Advantages Over Private Foundations
The DAF can be more advantageous than a private foundation and is far easier, as well as less expensive, to establish and maintain.
| DAF | Private Foundations | |
| Start Up Fees | No | Yes |
| Annual Required Distribution of Principal to Charities | None at account level (5% at USCGT level) | Yes – 5% |
| Excise Taxes | No | Yes – typically 2% of annual income |
| Income Tax Deduction (Maximum Eligibility) * with 5-year carryforward | Yes 50% of AGI* for cash gift 30% of AGI* for appreciated securities | Yes, but smaller - 30% of AGI* for cash gift; 20% of AGI* for appreciated securities |
| Donor may name account | Yes | Yes |
| Donor contributions to the account are private | Yes | No (Must file publicly available Form PF 990 with IRS) |
| Need for an attorney to draft documentation | No | Yes |
| Investment management provided by Eaton Vance or its affiliates | Yes | Optional |
| Donor responsibility for operations | Limited to recommending grants | Can be extensive, subject to IRS restrictions |
Enjoy Low Costs and Virtually No Paperwork
- An account costs almost nothing to establish, and no out-of-pocket expenses are required for account maintenance. There are no additional legal or transaction fees.
- USCGT's Trustee handles all of the record keeping and sends contribution confirmations that include the Trustee's calculation of the associated income tax deduction.
My Charitable Fund
My Charitable Fund, an online service that gives clients and financial professionals access to their charitable giving accounts, is a product of Wilmington Trust Retirement and Institutional Services, who acts as the Trustees for the Donor Advised and Pooled Income Funds.
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