Giving From Your Donor-Advised Fund: FAQs

You can request a gift at any time through your donor-advised fund (DAF) sponsor. Simply complete your sponsor's standard Grant Recommendation Form and indicate you wish to support American Friends of the Hebrew University. Include our legal name and tax identification number for accuracy: American Friends of the Hebrew University .

Contact our team at any time.

You can create a lasting legacy by naming one or more charitable organizations to receive the remaining assets in your donor-advised fund after your lifetime. Simply request a Change of Beneficiary Form from your fund administrator. This type of gift works beautifully alongside bequests and other simple gifts to maximize your philanthropic impact. Consider using our free online will planner to explore all your legacy giving options.

Contact our team at any time.

Yes! Many donor-advised fund sponsors allow you to set up recurring grants—monthly, quarterly, or annually—to American Friends of the Hebrew University. This is a wonderful way to provide steady support for programs you care about.

Contact our team at any time.

Most sponsors have minimum grant amounts, typically ranging from $50 to $250. We welcome gifts of all sizes and encourage you to check with your DAF provider for their specific requirements.

Contact our team at any time.

Absolutely! You can recommend grants to multiple qualified charities from your fund over time or all at once, depending on your giving strategy. Many donors enjoy using their DAF to support a variety of causes close to their heart.

Contact our team at any time.

You already received your tax deduction when you contributed to your DAF, so there are no additional tax benefits when you recommend grants to charity. This makes giving from your DAF simple and straightforward—no additional tax forms or calculations needed! If you're interested in additional tax-advantaged giving strategies, explore our information on gifts of appreciated assets.

Contact our team at any time.

Most DAF sponsors now allow a grant to satisfy a personal pledge so long as the grant letter itself makes no reference to the pledge, you receive no more than an incidental benefit, and you do not claim a new deduction. Check your sponsor's policy and consult your tax advisor for specific guidance.

Contact our team at any time.

Yes! Your generosity can be acknowledged publicly or through naming opportunities if you wish, as long as you receive no goods or services in return. We're happy to work with you to ensure your gift is recognized in a way that's meaningful to you while complying with IRS rules.

Contact our team at any time.

DAF grants cannot support political campaigns or lobbying activities. They may not go to private non-operating foundations. Donors cannot receive more than an incidental benefit, so a DAF cannot pay for event tickets, auction items, memberships, or other “split-benefit” transactions.

Contact our team at any time.

Gifts from donor-advised funds cannot be used to pay for event tickets, memberships, or other items that provide more than an incidental benefit to you. The IRS prohibits using DAF grants for any transaction where you receive goods or services in return. We're happy to help you explore other ways to support our events if you're interested.

Contact our team at any time.

Yes! You can request that your grant support a specific program, initiative, scholarship, or project that's meaningful to you. Be sure to include any special instructions with your grant recommendation, and we encourage you to contact us directly to confirm we can honor your charitable intent.

Contact our team at any time.

We appreciate when donors let us know about their DAF gifts! This helps us thank you properly and share how your generosity makes a difference. Once you've submitted a grant recommendation to your DAF sponsor, please contact us with your gift details and any special instructions. This ensures we can acknowledge your gift appropriately and keep you informed about its impact.

Contact our team at any time.

Yes, most DAF sponsors allow you to make anonymous gifts, and we respect your privacy preferences. However, sharing your name and contact information helps us thank you appropriately and keep you informed about the meaningful difference your gift makes. The choice is entirely yours.

Contact our team at any time.

Yes! Naming our organization as a beneficiary of your DAF is a powerful way to create a lasting legacy. Simply contact your fund administrator to complete a Change of Beneficiary Form. This approach complements other planned giving options and can be part of a comprehensive legacy plan.

Contact our team at any time.

Many DAF sponsors allow you to name successor advisors—such as children or grandchildren—who can continue recommending grants after your lifetime. This creates a wonderful opportunity to pass on your charitable values to the next generation and involve them in the joy of giving.

Contact our team at any time.

Most DAFs accept contributions of cash and publicly traded securities. Many larger DAF sponsors also accept complex assets like real estate, business interests, or cryptocurrency. These non-cash gifts often provide significant tax advantages. Learn more about making gifts of appreciated assets directly to our organization as well. Check with your provider for details on accepted asset types.

Contact our team at any time.

Policies and features vary by provider, so it's always good to check with your donor-advised fund sponsor to understand their specific procedures, forms, and requirements. We're familiar with most major DAF sponsors and are happy to help facilitate your gift.

Contact our team at any time.

Most DAF sponsors process grant recommendations within 7–14 business days, though this can vary. We'll send you a gift acknowledgment as soon as we receive your generous support. (Electronic transfers often arrive in 2–5 business days; mailed checks may take longer.)

Contact our team at any time.