Editor’s Note: As the debate over donor-advised funds heats up, we’re keen to air all sides at Ins…

Source: www.insidephilanthropy.com

DAFs and other philanthropic vehicles are fantastic tools for building your charitable giving plan on purpose, with purpose.  I like to think of them as “philanthropy accounts” similar to retirement accounts : You set aside money for a specific purpose and (maybe) take a tax deduction now. It allows for a period of concentrated decision making for charitable gifts so you can select the programs and organizations where you want to have the most impact.  It encourages  donors to design a thoughtful plan that fits in with their vision, purpose and strategy for life.  DAFs are growing and may become THE preferred philanthropic vehicle for millions of middle-market philanthropists.

“Far from allowing donors to “warehouse” their charitable gifts, DAFs allow donors to guide funds to future causes with intentionality and intelligent direction.” (emphasis mine)