Give from Your Donor-Advised Fund

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that allows you to make a contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time. This is a great option for individuals who want to reduce their tax liability while contributing to a cause important to them. You can contribute cash, appreciated securities, or other assets to your DAF and recommend grants to the American Cancer Society whenever you're ready.

Yes. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are held and administered by IRS-qualified public charities. Organizations such as Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and community foundations sponsor DAFs and manage the assets on behalf of donors. When you contribute to a DAF, you are making an irrevocable charitable gift to a public charity. This structure allows donors to receive an immediate tax deduction while retaining advisory privileges to recommend grants to nonprofits like the American Cancer Society over time.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) and private foundations are both vehicles for charitable giving, but they differ in cost, complexity, and tax benefits. DAFs are easier to establish and typically have no startup costs or annual filing requirements for the donor. Private foundations are legal entities that require more administrative oversight, including annual tax filings, minimum distribution rules, and board governance. Tax advantages are generally more favorable with DAFs, including higher deduction limits and no excise tax. For donors looking for a flexible, low-maintenance giving vehicle that still allows strategic philanthropic planning, a DAF may be a more accessible alternative to a private foundation.

A donor-advised fund (DAF) and a charitable trust (such as a charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust) are both tools for planned giving, but they operate differently: DAFs are simpler and allow donors to recommend grants to charities over time. They are ideal for ongoing giving with minimal administration. Charitable remainder trusts are legal arrangements that can provide income to the donor or other beneficiaries before the charity receives the remaining assets. Trusts offer more control and may be appropriate for complex estate planning, while DAFs provide an easier path to long-term charitable impact. Both options can support the American Cancer Society’s mission, depending on your goals and financial planning needs.

When a donor passes away, the future of their donor-advised fund (DAF) depends on how the account was set up. Most DAF sponsors allow donors to name successor advisors or charitable beneficiaries. If a successor advisor is named, they can continue recommending grants from the fund. If the donor selected end-of-life instructions, such as granting the remaining balance to one or more charities, the fund will be distributed accordingly. If no instructions are provided, the sponsoring organization will typically use the funds for its own charitable purposes. To ensure the American Cancer Society is part of your DAF’s long-term impact, we encourage you to name us as a final beneficiary and include our full legal name and Employer Identification Number (EIN) in your instructions.

Using a donor-advised fund (DAF) offers several strategic tax advantages compared to giving directly to a nonprofit. These benefits make DAFs a powerful tool for tax-efficient, long-term philanthropy:

• Immediate tax deduction: You receive a charitable tax deduction in the year you contribute to your DAF, even if the funds are granted to charities like the American Cancer Society in future years.

• Tax-free growth: Assets in your DAF can grow tax-free over time, increasing your potential charitable impact.

• No capital gains tax: When you donate long-term appreciated assets like stocks or mutual funds to a DAF, you can avoid capital gains taxes that would apply if you sold them first.

Donor-advised funds are a flexible way to incorporate charitable giving into your estate or legacy plan. DAFs offer a way to extend your philanthropic values across generations while simplifying estate administration. Many DAF sponsors allow you to: 

• Name successor advisors, such as family members, to carry on your charitable mission. 

• Designate charities like the American Cancer Society as final beneficiaries to receive remaining DAF assets upon your passing. 

• Make multi-year or recurring gifts to the causes that matter most to you.

Yes. When you recommend a grant to the American Cancer Society through your donor-advised fund (DAF), 100% of your grant supports our mission. There are no processing or transaction fees deducted by the American Cancer Society. However, it’s important to note that some DAF sponsoring organizations (like Fidelity Charitable or Schwab Charitable) may charge administrative or investment management fees on the DAF account itself. These fees typically do not affect the amount granted to charity. For most donors, DAFs still represent a low-cost and efficient way to give.

You can open a donor-advised fund (DAF) through a sponsoring organization – typically a financial institution's charitable arm or a community foundation. Most sponsoring organizations allow you to open a DAF online in just a few steps:

• Choose a sponsoring organization (i.e., Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or a local community foundation).
• Make an initial contribution (cash, stock, or other assets).
• Name your fund and choose any successor advisors.
• Start recommending grants to eligible 501(c)(3) charities like the American Cancer Society.

Yes. Donating appreciated stock, mutual funds, or other long-term assets to a donor-advised fund (DAF) is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. You may be able to avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciation, claim a fair market value tax deduction, and simplify your giving by consolidating assets into one account. DAFs are designed to accept complex or appreciated assets, making them an ideal giving vehicle for donors with highly valued portfolios.

Minimums vary by sponsor, so it’s best to check in with your preferred institution specifically. Some have no minimum, while others have a threshold. Be sure to compare sponsors based on your goals, minimums, and services offered.

When setting up your DAF, you’ll have the option to choose a fund name. You can personalize the name to reflect your family, legacy, or philanthropic goals (e.g., “The Smith Family Giving Fund” or “Hope for Cancer Research Fund”). Your fund’s name may appear on grant letters, or you can choose to make grants anonymously. The only restriction is that your fund name cannot include the word “trust,” as donor-advised funds are not legal trusts and must be clearly distinguished for regulatory purposes.

DAF fees vary by sponsor and typically include administrative fees (for account servicing and support) and investment fees (for managing invested assets). Here are examples for top sponsors (as of 2024):

• Fidelity Charitable: 0.60% annual fee on the first $500,000 in assets, decreasing at higher levels
• Schwab Charitable: 0.60% annual fee on the first $500,000, with tiered reductions for higher balances
• Both sponsors also offer no-fee options for simple cash-based funds, and no fees are charged to charities when grants are made.

While DAF sponsors have final legal authority over distributions, nearly all recommendations to eligible 501(c)(3) public charities like the American Cancer Society are approved and granted as directed. To ensure smooth processing, clearly state your intended purpose (e.g., unrestricted support, research funding, honoring a loved one), and include your name and contact information in the recommendation. The main reasons a grant might be declined include:

• The organization is not a qualified public charity.
• The gift is intended for personal benefit (e.g., gala tickets, membership perks, tuition, etc.).
• The purpose does not comply with IRS rules.

When you contribute to a donor-advised fund, you’re making a donation to a qualified public charity, which means you may be eligible for an immediate federal income tax deduction even if you don’t recommend a grant to a nonprofit right away. The deduction applies for the tax year in which the contribution is made to the DAF, not when the funds are distributed to a charity. For example, if you contribute $10,000 to your DAF in December but grant it to the American Cancer Society the following year, the tax deduction still applies for the current year.

Yes. The IRS imposes limits based on your adjusted gross income (AGI). Cash contributions to a DAF are generally deductible up to 60% of your AGI. Appreciated assets (like stocks or mutual funds) are typically deductible up to 30% of your AGI. Amounts above these limits may be carried forward for up to five years.

Yes. Donor-advised funds can only be used for fully tax-deductible charitable gifts. That means you cannot use DAF funds to pay for event tickets (galas, golf tournaments, etc.), auction items, sponsorships that include benefits (e.g., table seats, meals, recognition perks), or membership dues that include goods or services. DAF gifts must not result in personal benefit to the donor, per IRS rules. You can use a DAF to support fundraising events if you waive all benefits, and your contribution is 100% tax-deductible.

No. While donor-advised funds (DAFs) do not have a federally mandated annual payout requirement, many sponsoring organizations encourage donors to recommend grants regularly to ensure charitable dollars make an impact. Making grants from your DAF today – rather than delaying – means your support can go to work right away. Whether you’re funding cancer research, supporting patients with transportation to treatment, or advancing health equity, every dollar granted helps accelerate progress.

Currently, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from an IRA cannot be made directly to a donor-advised fund (DAF). QCDs must go to a qualified public charity that is not a DAF, supporting organization, or private foundation. If you're 70½ or older and looking to make a tax-efficient gift from your IRA, consider giving directly or via a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) to a public charity like the American Cancer Society. That said, rules can evolve, and your financial advisor can help determine the best option based on your goals and current tax laws. This information is not intended as legal or tax advice.

You can’t contribute your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) directly to a donor-advised fund in a way that qualifies as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). However, you do have options. Some donors choose to take their RMD as taxable income and then make a charitable contribution to a DAF separately. This approach may allow for a charitable deduction if you itemize, though it won’t reduce your RMD obligation or lower your taxable income in the same way a QCD might. If reducing your taxable income is a priority, you may want to explore making a QCD directly to a qualified charity instead of using a DAF. We recommend discussing your strategy with a tax advisor or financial professional to ensure alignment with your goals and IRS regulations.

You can easily recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund directly to the American Cancer Society using our DAFPay widget on this page. Alternatively, you can give via your DAF sponsor’s online portal or by contacting them directly. We gratefully accept gifts from all major DAF sponsors, including Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, Daffy, Chariot, National Philanthropic Trust, and most other sponsors. Please be sure to include our legal name and Federal Tax ID when submitting your recommendation: Legal Name: American Cancer Society, Inc. Federal Tax ID (EIN): 13-1788491. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (Please confirm with your sponsor whether a physical check is required.)

We recommend initiating your grant on our website to reduce delays and ensure your gift is properly attributed. The following sponsors currently support DAFpay, which allows donors to initiate their grant directly through our website for faster processing:

• Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, The Donors Fund, Charityvest, Morgan Stanley GIFT, Daffy, OJC Fund, Austin Community Foundation, UBS, BNY Mellon, Wells Fargo, Bank of America's Charitable Gift Fund, Alaska Community Foundation, JP Morgan Charitable Gift Fund, iGiftFund, National Philanthropic Trust, TOP Jewish Foundation, U.S. Charitable Gift Trust, and JP Morgan Private Bank

Yes. Many DAF sponsors allow you to set up recurring grants on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Recurring support helps the American Cancer Society plan ahead and respond quickly to urgent needs like patient transportation, lodging during treatment, and breakthrough cancer research. Even if you're not ready to set a recurring grant, we appreciate you considering adding the American Cancer Society to your regular grantmaking schedule.

If your DAF sponsor doesn’t automatically include your information, please add your name, address, and intended purpose of your gift (e.g., general support, research, events, etc.) in the notes or memo section when making your grant recommendation. This helps us confirm receipt of your gift, ensure your donation is applied according to your wishes, and acknowledge and thank you for your generosity. Please reach out to us at 1-800-227-2345 or email philanthropy@cancer.org if you need to include these details after the fact.

In many cases, yes, but there are IRS regulations to be aware of. You can use your DAF to support Relay For Life®, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer®, and other American Cancer Society fundraising campaigns as long as you do not receive any personal benefits, such as event tickets, merchandise, or meals. If you’re unsure whether a particular donation qualifies, contact your DAF sponsor or reach us at 1‑800‑227‑2345 to discuss your options.

DAF funds cannot be used to pay for event tickets, auction items, sponsorships with benefits, or any part of a gift that provides you with goods or services. Only fully tax-deductible contributions are eligible to be made from a donor-advised fund.

Absolutely. By naming the American Cancer Society as a full or partial beneficiary of your DAF, you can create a lasting legacy that supports lifesaving research, patient programs, and cancer prevention efforts for years to come. Contact your DAF sponsor to set up or update your beneficiary designation.

Yes. Legacy giving through your donor-advised fund is a meaningful and simple way to extend your impact beyond your lifetime. By naming the American Cancer Society as a beneficiary – either full or partial – you ensure your support continues to fund lifesaving cancer research, patient programs, and prevention efforts well into the future. Contact your DAF sponsor or financial advisor to update your beneficiary designation. It’s a powerful way to make your values last.

Our Federal Tax ID (EIN) is: 13-1788491. Our mailing address is: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741