What questions should donors ask potential sponsor organizations when considering setting up a donor-advised fund?

Start-Up and Administrative

• What type(s) of donor-advised funds are available? Do you have written descriptions of each?
• What is the minimum amount required to establish a donor-advised fund?
• Is there a minimum amount at which I must must maintain the fund?
• What types of assets can I donate beyond cash or stocks? Are there fees or restrictions for donating those assets? Do you have written guidelines for this?
• What type of online and mobile access do I have for monitoring gifts, grants, and investments? Can family members access the account?
• Can other people donate to my fund? If so, how?
• What happens if I want to close my donor-advised fund?
• What happens to the assets if the fund reverts to the sponsor organization?

Investing

• What are the investment and administrative fees for this fund?
• What are my investment options?
• Can I keep my existing investment manager? What fees and conditions are involved?
• If we want to align our investments with our values, what options do you have for Socially Responsible Investing or Environmental Social Governance (ESG)-screened investments (i.e., a set of standards that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments)?
• What support do you offer for Program-Related Investments—loans, equity, other forms of debt?
• What support or expertise do you offer in the area of Impact Investments?

Basic Grantmaking

• What information and support do you offer regarding issues and nonprofits?
• What information is available to me as a donor?
• What levels of due diligence you you perform on nonprofits you recommend for funding?Is there a required distribution from the fund each year?
• What is the minimum grant amount that can be recommended?
• Are there limits on the types of grants I can recommend (geography, purposes, grant type, etc.)?
• Is there a mandatory percentage of annual grants that must go to the sponsor organization to support its mission?
• How do you handle international grantmaking? What about organizations that don’t have a charitable status in the U.S.?
• Do you allow scholarships, and what are the restrictions if so?
• How long does it take to get grant checks to non-profits once I recommend a grant?

Family Involvement

• Are there limits on the number or age of fund holders?
• Are there limits as to the number or type of successor advisors?
• What happens if I, the fund holder, die or become incapacitated?
• Can I establish funds for members of my family?
• Can I give family members access to my fund for grant making?
• How can I use my fund to leave a legacy?
• What are your rules around succession?
• What educational tools or programs do you have to help my family learn about generosity and philanthropy, or specific issues in the community? Do these cost extra?
• How might you support my family in developing a shared values, vision, mission, and/or legacy statement?
• How might you support family meetings, virtual or in-person?
• How might you support us to better understand issues, geographies, or grantmaking strategies?
• Am I able to add a rider to the fund, if I choose, to extend it beyond first and second generation?

Philanthropic Services

• Beyond checking for tax-deductible status, what help do you provide to ensure grantees are legitimate and high performing organizations?
• What reporting can we obtain from grantees? What if we want more in-depth reporting or analysis?
• What support could you provide if we want to customize a gift agreement (for example, for naming rights to a building or to restrict the purpose of an endowment)?
• What is the best way to communicate with your staff? Can I meet with someone in person if I need advice or have questions?
• How can I meet other donors in your network?
• In what ways do you encourage donors to elevate their leadership?

Next in the DAF Guide: What Questions Should an Individual Donor, Couple or Family Ask Themselves Before Opening a Donor Advised Fund?