2. Would you be interested in donating real estate, farm equipment, business interests or other assets?

While cash and stocks are popular charitable donations, there are advantages to donating other assets to start or grow a charitable fund. You can donate non-cash assets such as:

• Real estate
• Retirement assets
• Charitable life insurance
• Farm assets, such as crops and equipment
• Business assets, such as privately held stock
• Virtual currency, such as Bitcoin

Yet, many nonprofits are not set up to accept donations of non-cash assets from their donors. These may also be larger charitable contributions that you use to support multiple organizations over many years. That’s why partnering with a community foundation to accept your gift can simplify the process.

Many of these non-cash giving options can provide income during a donor’s lifetime or significant tax benefits — or both. If you're going to have a large taxable event, such as selling a business, we can partner with you and your advisors to help determine the best assets for you to give and when.

4. Do you want to have an impact on your community for years to come?

If you want to stay involved in your philanthropy, a DAF gives you the flexibility to support causes and organizations you care about during your lifetime and beyond. A DAF is also a great tool to engage multiple generations of your family in giving. Our team will work with you to identify who you would like to include and how you would like them to be involved in your giving legacy.

A DAF is not designed for generation after generation after generation to continue advising on the fund. However, it can be used as a vehicle to maximize your charitable giving both during and after your lifetime. Your legacy can continue in perpetuity through other types of charitable funds, like a designated fund or unrestricted fund. Read more in our blog post How to Make a Donor Advised Fund Part of Your Estate Plan.