San Diego Rescue Mission is a non-profit homeless shelter and recovery center serving thousands of homeless, hungry, and poor men, women, and children in San Diego since 1955.

Ways to Give > Estate Planning > Current Gifts > Donor Advised Funds

Donor Advised Funds

A Donor Advised Fund makes it easier for you to set up one gifting account from which regular charitable distributions designed specifically for San Diego Rescue Mission and programs, as well as other charities, may be made. The program made available through the San Diego Foundation, our service provider, gives you an alternative to commercial gift funds and to the legal and tax complexities of establishing and operating a private foundation. A Donor Advised Fund offers administrative support, experienced grant-making counsel and careful financial management. San Diego Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a passion for improving the quality of life within all of our San Diego communities by promoting and increasing responsible and effective philanthropy.

How a Donor Advised Fund Works

An individual completes the San Diego Foundation Donor Advised Fund application and makes a minimum initial donation of $10,000. You name your family fund and recommend the charitable purpose of the fund, including specific San Diego Rescue Mission programs. We encourage a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the fund each year. After approving your recommendation, distributions may begin and are identified as coming from your Donor Advised Fund. (Placing this ultimate distribution authority in San Diego Foundation hands ensures that your donation establishing the Donor Advised Fund is complete in the eyes of the IRS and therefore deductible.)The San Diego Foundation charges a reasonable annual Administrative Fee and Investment Management Fee (contact us below for a fees summary).

Making Distributions or Grants

You recommend the recipients of annual distributions from your Donor Advised Fund directly to The San Diego Foundation. We at the Rescue Mission would be encouraged if a minimum of 25% of the annual distribution could be established for rescue mission services. Similarly, on termination of the Donor Advised Fund, we would be encouraged that 25% of the assets remaining in the fund be distributed for our endowment to advance rescue mission initiatives. Due to IRS requirements and standards, a distribution request must be wholly charitable, not one that would benefit the donor or related party, a private foundation, or political activities or for any purpose.

Comparison

Comparing the San Diego Foundation Donor Advised Fund with other commercial funds or private foundations shows these advantages:

  • A current deduction at 50% of adjusted gross income is possible, compared with 30% in a private foundation.
  • There is no tax on net-investment income on the fund, as there is in a private foundation.
  • Costs are much more moderate than a private foundation.
  • Tax compliance and other administrative and distribution services are provided for you.

How Do I Create A Donor Advised Fund?

For further information and assistance, please email Steve de Graaf of our Gift and Estate Design Services team or Amy Walling at The San Diego Foundation,

Phone: 1-619-819-1758 (Steve de Graaf)
Phone: 1-619-235-2300 (Amy Walling)
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