“Donor Advised Funds are one of the most efficient ways to donate to charities while meeting overall philanthropic and legacy goals,” says Susan O’Brien, Investment Advisor and Wealth Advisor with the Susan O’Brien Group at Richardson Wealth.
To gain further insights into Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), we sat down with Susan, a wealth management professional and 2024 United Way of Calgary and Area Campaign Co-Chair to learn more.
A DAF is a charitable giving vehicle, initially established through a contribution by a donor – such as an individual philanthropist or family – to an independent organization. Donor Advised Funds can be invested so that it grows tax free over time, while creating more impact in the community.
Why Choose a Donor Advised Fund?
“At the Susan O’Brien Group at Richardson Wealth, I discuss Donor Advised Funds as a structure that provides many benefits to donors in achieving their philanthropic giving.”
Susan says there are several reasons why DAFs are such a popular tool for charitable giving:
- Immediate Tax Benefits: You are issued an immediate tax receipt for the amount and year the donation was made, however they can choose to distribute funds at a later date.
- Growth Over Time: Your contributions can grow tax-free, empowering you to make an even greater impact in the community.
- Efficiency: DAFs simplify the process of charitable giving by reducing the administrative burden and allowing you to focus on advising where your gifts will have the most impact.
- Philanthropy Across Generations: DAFs encourage family discussions around giving and philanthropy, helping to pass philanthropic values to future generations. As Susan puts it, “I also like to use Donor Advised Funds as a teaching tool for the next generation in passing down family values and continuing a legacy of giving.”
- Sustained Impact: DAFs allow you to provide ongoing, reliable support to the causes you care about.
DAFs can be opened with banks or select charities, and as Susan points out, they all offer different perks. “All Donor Advised Funds are unique to the charity which is offering them. It’s important as a donor to understand the benefits and features of each Donor Advised Fund to ensure they fit with your philanthropic goals,” Susan says.
Family Funds—United Way’s Donor Advised Fund
Family Funds are United Way’s version of a Donor Advised Fund, offering a customizable experience tailored to meet unique philanthropic goals. Whether you want to make a big impact today or create meaningful change for future generations, Family Funds provide the flexibility to do both.
“United Way’s Family Funds have a lot of built-in flexibility, so you can allocate donated funds in various ways and over various time periods,” Susan notes.
Key Benefits Include:
- Relationship Management: Personalized engagement and volunteer opportunities for you and your family.
- Monitoring and Impact Evaluation: Receive updates on the impact of your contributions and gain opportunities to connect with charitable experts to learn how you’re helping the community.
- Low Fees: Family Funds offer competitive administration and management fees at just 0.5%.
- Excellent Fund Management: United Way Family Funds are professionally managed by Mawer Investment Management Ltd. (Mawer). Their guiding principles and investment philosophy for our Family Funds aim to provide sustainable, long-term, and consistent returns, along with cost-effective investment management to ensure more money supports the community.
- Philanthropic Facilitation: United Way’s team helps you define your philanthropic goals and create a strategic plan for giving.
Invest in the Future
DAFs are powerful tools that allow philanthropists to donate now, receive immediate tax benefits and decide later how to direct their contributions. Family Funds at United Way offer tailored philanthropic support, ensuring your giving aligns with your values.
Whether it’s establishing a Family Fund or granting from your existing DAF to United Way, you become part of a community that’s committed to lifting Calgarians out of poverty, improving mental health and creating lasting connections. United, we can address urgent needs and create long-term change in Calgary and area.
If you and your loved ones would like to learn more about United Way’s Family Fund program, or if you’d like more information on how to donate to United Way through your existing DAF, please contact our Strategic Giving Specialist at lamia.binzayyad@calgaryunitedway.org.
If you would like to make a gift from your Donor Advised Fund to United Way, please provide your DAF administrator the information below:
Legal Name: United Way Calgary and Area
Charitable Registration Number: 13022 9750 RR0001
Mailing Address: 600 – 105 12 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 1A1