Although a Donor Advised Fund, which is becoming a more and more popular charitable planning tool, can be established through a national financial institution, the Omaha Community Foundation offers fundholders much broader services, more personal attention, and deeper connections to local nonprofits whose work is essential to effecting positive change in our community. Many attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors are simply not aware that a donor advised fund established at the Omaha Community Foundation is in most cases a far better fit for their clients than a donor advised fund set up at a “commercial gift fund.”  

As you meet with your clients about year-end planning, be sure to ask whether they’ve established a Donor Advised Fund and if so, where it’s housed. If a client’s fund is not at a community foundation, please give us a call. We would be happy to talk with you and your client about the ease and benefits of moving the fund to the Omaha Community Foundation.  

The Omaha Community Foundation offers fundholders the same tax and administrative benefits as a commercial gift fund, including: 

  • Online access to the fund to view balances, contributions, and grants 
  • Simple process for recommending grants to favorite nonprofits and community initiatives 
  • Streamlined tax reporting, often represented by just one letter to provide to an accountant at tax time, even when the fund is used to support dozens of individual nonprofits throughout the year 
  • All back-office administration, tax receipts, recordkeeping, and other requirements for the Donor Advised Fund’s 501(c)(3) status 
  • Favorable tax-deductibility of contributions to the fund 

Above and beyond standard commercial gift funds, the Omaha Community Foundation offers high-level, customized services to our fundholders, including: 

  • Concierge-level in-person service provided by knowledgeable staff  
  • Acceptance of appreciated stock or complex assets such as real estate or closely-held stock 
  • Ease of transferring funds to one of numerous Omaha Community Foundation brokerage accounts 
  • Ability to have your giving fund managed by your existing financial advisor  
  • In-house experts who have a finger on the pulse of community needs, the strengths of specific nonprofits, and how to structure grantmaking for the highest possible community benefit 
  • Opportunities to collaborate with other donors who care about similar issues and forums to tap into local and national subject matter experts 
  • Family philanthropy and corporate giving services to foster a well-rounded, holistic approach to philanthropy  
  • Hands-on assistance from local experts who understand both local and national needs, and welcome the opportunity to research and identify causes aligned with donors’ goals and priorities  
  • Staff members who live in the community they serve and often personally know the leaders and staff of grantee organizations and regularly hear about their needs first-hand 

Keep an eye out for clients’ Donor Advised Funds at commercial gift funds. You’ll be doing a tremendous service for your client, and you’ll be helping the local community.