At IECF, we know that charitable giving is deeply personal—and that choosing the right tools matters just as much as choosing the causes you care about.
Whether you are considering establishing your first fund with IECF or considering adding another fund to complement the ones you already have, it can be helpful to step back and look at how different options support different goals. 
Donor-advised fund
Donor-advised funds are one of the most popular “baseline” charitable giving tools because they make it simple to support a wide range of nonprofits while maintaining a clear, organized approach to philanthropy. With a donor-advised fund, you can make contributions of cash, stock, or other property at your convenience, and these gifts are eligible for a charitable tax deduction in the year of the gift. Separately, the donor-advised fund allows you to recommend grants to your favorite IRS-qualified charities over time. You can select a name for your donor-advised fund and, if you choose, limit how much personal information is shared with recipient organizations.
Designated fund
Perhaps you are instead (or also) focused on making a lasting impact on a single organization that has played an important role in your life. In that case, a designated fund may be the right addition to your charitable portfolio. A designated fund provides ongoing, predictable support to a specific nonprofit—either through regular distributions or grants made as needed. Because IECF provides stewardship of the fund’s assets, a designated fund offers stability and continuity for the organization it benefits. This type of fund can be especially helpful if you want to “bunch” multiple years of giving into a single year for tax purposes while ensuring continued support for a favorite charity over time. Plus, if you are age 70 ½ or older, a designated fund (unlike a donor-advised fund) can receive Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA.
Unrestricted fund or field-of-interest fund
Some donors are drawn to a different approach: addressing the community’s most pressing needs, both now and in the future, while relying on professional insight to guide that work. For these donors, an unrestricted fund offers powerful flexibility. Unrestricted funds allow IECF to direct resources where they are needed most as circumstances change—whether that means responding to a crisis, supporting emerging opportunities, or addressing long-term challenges. These funds play a critical role in the community’s ability to adapt and thrive, and they create a legacy of giving that remains relevant for generations. A field-of-interest is similar to an unrestricted fund, except that you can name a specific area of need, such as the arts, education, or emergency assistance, to receive support from the fund. If you are age 70 ½ or older, remember that both unrestricted and field-of-interest funds are eligible recipients of Qualified Charitable Distributions.
Adopt a portfolio approach
Many donors choose to establish more than one type of fund over time, building a thoughtful and diversified approach to philanthropy that reflects both their values and their evolving priorities.
Wherever you are along your charitable giving journey, IECF is here to help. It is our privilege to partner with you, provide guidance, and support your generosity in ways that strengthen the community we all care about. Please reach out anytime—we would love to talk with you.
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The team at the community foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.
