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A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to support the causes you care about. Through the Jewish Community Foundation, you’ll receive personalized philanthropic guidance, access to expertise in Jewish giving, competitive fees, and the flexibility to support the organizations that matter most to you—today and for generations to come.
Open a DAF
When you open a Donor Advised Fund with the Foundation, you gain more than a charitable giving account. You gain a trusted philanthropic partner who will help you give with purpose, respond to emerging needs, and create lasting impact.
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable fund you establish and name at the Jewish Community Foundation. You, or anyone you designate, can recommend grants from the liquid assets in your fund to your favorite charitable organizations in or outside the Jewish community.
You contribute assets of any kind (cash, securities, closely-held stock, insurance, real estate, among others) into the fund. You recommend grants to the charitable organizations of your choice in and outside the Jewish community when you desire. We process the grants, and maintain the online records, which you can view through the online platform. You receive simple receipts and statements for your gifts to your DAF for tax reporting purposes.
Your gifts to your DAF are fully tax-deductible as permitted by law. The Jewish Community Foundation is a division of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
You can establish a fund with a minimum balance of $10,000.
You select the name of the fund. Use your own name, a family name, or a name that is meaningful to you. The fund can also be anonymous.
DAF assets are invested in a sophisticated portfolio overseen by an investment committee of seasoned professionals and investment advisors, who oversee the Foundation’s Investment Consultant, Graystone Consulting. For DAFs of $5 million or more, you may recommend your own investment advisor for the fund. The investment earnings are credited to your fund, giving you more to contribute to the community.
All investment earnings are credited to the donor advised fund.
When you establish a DAF, you will name advisors, and if you choose, successor advisors for the fund. Advisors will be able to use the web platform to recommend grants and view fund activity.
Grants are issued within 7 to 10 business days of your recommendation. Charities that sign up for electronic (ACH) payments will receive grants more quickly than those that require payment by check.
You can recommend a minimum grant of $100.
Grants may not result in impermissible benefits, such as dinners, event tickets, auction items, or tuition, for donors, advisors, or people connected to them.
Currently, there are no rules that require donor advised funds to grant a minimum amount during a specific period. However, there are ongoing discussions at both the state and federal levels to impose minimum granting requirements on donor advised fundholders. We will keep you abreast of any developments.
We use a sliding fee scale depending on the size of your DAF. Funds up to $500K are charged an annual fee of 1%. Fees on the next $9.5M are charged 0.5%. For higher balances, a sliding fee scale is used. These fees are subject to change by Foundation’s Trustees.
Our fees support general Foundation services, donor learning and collaborative funding communities, and community projects of the Foundation focused on building a better world and vibrant Jewish community.
Both Donor Advised Funds and private foundations are effective ways to support the causes you care about.
While private foundations offer greater control over investments and grantmaking, they also involve additional legal, tax, and administrative responsibilities. Donor Advised Funds provide a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient alternative, allowing you to focus on your philanthropy while the Foundation handles the administration. If you’re considering which option is right for you, we’re happy to discuss your goals and help you explore the best fit.
Making a contribution is simple. Whether you’re adding cash, appreciated securities, or other assets, you’ll find everything you need below.
Make a secure online contribution to your Donor Advised Fund or another Foundation fund using your credit card here.
To contribute by check, please make your check payable to the Jewish Community Foundation and include the name of the fund in the memo line.
Mail your contribution to:
Jewish Community Foundation 6101 Executive Blvd. North Bethesda, MD 20852
A gift of appreciated securities can provide significant tax advantages while supporting the charitable causes you care about. Your financial advisor or broker can help facilitate the transfer using the instructions below.
If your financial institution requires written authorization, you may use our Transfer Request Letter and send a copy to the Donor Center. Otherwise, simply provide your advisor with the applicable transfer instructions.
DTC Transfers
Account Title: The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Account #: 5G 58435 DTC #: 0221 Contact: Attention: Nicole Lyons and Mark Rosenberg UBS Financial Services, Inc. 1 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2500 Chicago, IL 60606 312-525-4643
ACAT/Mutual Fund Transfers
For firms that do not have DTC capabilities and for mutual funds:
Account Title: The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington ACAT #: 0221 Account #: 5G 58435
Please identify the donor name when processing the transfer.
If your mutual fund is held with Vanguard or directly with another mutual fund company and not a broker, please have the fund company contact Nicole Lyons directly at 312-525-4643 as mutual fund transfers may require additional processes.
Please initiate your gift by the following dates to maximize the chance that the transfer is complete by year end.
Gift receipt is determined when the investment reaches The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s brokerage account. The “gift value” is determined by the average of the high and low prices on the day the investment is received in Federation’s brokerage account.
The Jewish Community Foundation does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. Donors are encouraged to seek independent tax and legal counsel.
To make a contribution by wire transfer or to discuss gifts of other assets, please contact our Donor Center at 301-230-7230 or email us.
Support one of the Foundation’s collaborative giving opportunities and join others in making a collective impact on the issues and causes you care about.
Whether you’re opening your first Donor Advised Fund or looking for a trusted philanthropic partner, our team is here to help.
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