Donor-Advised Funds

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are an increasingly popular way to give to charity, and for good reason. A donor-advised fund is an investment account that offers you significant tax advantages and streamlines your giving. When you contribute to your DAF, you can usually take an immediate tax deduction, whether you’ve contributed cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or other assets. Your investments will then grow tax-free in your DAF until you’re ready to recommend grants to the charities of your choice.

Benefits of a donor-advised fund:

• Accessibility: Anyone can open a DAF. Sponsoring organizations (including financial institutions and charities) have varying minimums—and some have no minimum at all.
• Tax advantages: Your DAF contributions will generally be tax-deductible. And since they are designated for charity, your investments will grow tax-free, without being subject to capital gains tax.
• Flexibility: You can contribute to your DAF and take your tax deduction when it’s convenient for you, and then determine the recipient and disburse your funds to charity later.
• Simplicity: Because a DAF is a one-stop account for all your charitable contributions, you can reduce the number of transactions you need to make, and simplify your donation receipts for tax season.
• Convenience: The funds in your DAF are ready for you to give to charity whenever you feel inspired to invest in a better world.
• Ease: You can schedule or automate your DAF gifts to provide reliable, mission-driven funds to your favorite charities.

Note: The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or other professional for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

Recommending a grant According to the National Philanthropic Trust, hundreds of billions of dollars are held in DAFs—while only about a quarter of those assets get granted out to nonprofits. If you currently have a DAF, you can put your funds to work for farmed animals by recommending an unrestricted grant to The Humane League today.

To recommend a grant from your DAF, please use the following information:

• Legal name: The Humane League
• Tax ID / Federal EIN: 04-3817491
• Mailing address: PO Box 10476, Rockville, MD 20849

When you recommend a gift, please let us know so that we can properly thank you and keep you informed about the impact of your gift. You can share your contact information by emailing Caroline Mills, Associate Vice President of Donor Relations, at cmills@thehumaneleague.org.

Beneficiary designation You may want to designate one or more charities as beneficiaries of your DAF, to ensure that your funds will be used in accordance with your wishes when you are gone. When you include The Humane League as a beneficiary, you’ll ensure that your legacy of compassion for farmed animals continues well into the future. You’ll also become a member of our Legacy Society—an exclusive giving society of people committed to ending the abuse of animals raised for food, for as long as it takes.

In addition, you may consider appointing a successor for your DAF, so that others—like your children or grandchildren—can continue your legacy of philanthropy.

Contact us If you have any questions, or would like to discuss making a major gift for a special purpose from your DAF, please contact Caroline Mills at cmills@thehumaneleague.org.