Giving Gamechanger: Why Now's the Time to Use a Donor-Advised Fund
Have market gains and OBBBA tax changes put the spotlight on your charitable giving strategy? A donor-advised fund can help you make the biggest impact on your chosen causes while remaining tax efficient.
When the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law last summer, it introduced tax changes poised to impact the charitable giving landscape. In response, many donors and their advisers acted fast to adjust their tax planning.
Now, investors and donors should look ahead and determine the strategies needed to achieve tax management and charitable giving goals this year and beyond.
For donors itemizing deductions, the biggest changes affecting charitable giving involve both ends of deduction limits. The law created a new floor on charitable deductions, wherein only gifts exceeding 0.5% of adjusted gross income can be deducted.
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On the other side of the spectrum, the value of deductions for individuals in the top tax bracket (37%) is now capped at $0.35 per dollar, a decrease from the former $0.37 per dollar limit.
Additionally, corporations can only deduct charitable contributions if they exceed 1% of taxable income, with a cap set at 10%.
Many Vanguard Charitable donors have said that getting ahead of these changes, along with continued strong equity market returns, were key drivers in the uptick in year-end giving last year.
As donors navigate 2026, maximizing tax deductions and charitable impact within these new limits will require careful preparation. Working closely with a tax adviser or accountant is essential to build a strategy that navigates this new deduction floor while achieving the best outcomes for the charities you support.
Steps to consider this year
To maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving during high-income years, donors with significantly appreciated assets may consider bunching multiple years of contributions into the current year.
When deciding which appreciated assets to contribute, consider any complex assets you may own, including real estate and interests in private companies or partnerships.
Finding the right giving tool
Periods of legislative change present an ideal opportunity for you to review your financial plans, ensuring you still realize maximum tax efficiency and continue to grow your philanthropic footprint.
A donor-advised fund (DAF) can be a powerful tool that helps maintain charitable momentum, even in years where you must reevaluate or adjust your giving strategy. DAFs offer a critical advantage that empowers this type of flexibility: They separate the contribution of an asset from the grant to a nonprofit organization.
DAFs allow you to make an immediate, tax-deductible contribution — whether in cash, appreciated securities or complex assets — that strategically aligns with your broader tax and portfolio objectives.
Once contributed, these assets are invested according to a strategy that you and the DAF sponsor select, offering the potential for tax-free growth over time. Ultimately, this structure provides you with the flexibility to recommend grants to qualified charities on your own timeline, maximizing your philanthropic footprint.
Philanthropic need rarely aligns with evolving tax laws or market fluctuations. Charitable causes rely on predictable sources of funding year-round, regardless of market performance, and they often require immediate support in direct response to emergency needs.
A DAF allows you to tailor your giving strategy to respond to new tax rules and portfolio performance while continuing to grant to your favorite causes. If you feel a deep conviction to consistently support the causes you champion, the built-in adaptability of a DAF can be a giving gamechanger.
Separating tax strategies and philanthropic strategies
A DAF enables you to take an intentional approach in all aspects of giving. You can prioritize gifting assets that are right for the scope of your portfolio in light of tax law and market shifts. While funds remain in the account, they can be invested according to your preferences and risk tolerance to help you reach your charitable goals.
You can also grant funds in alignment with your philanthropic priorities. This peace of mind allows you to focus your time and energy on the most impactful parts of your philanthropic strategy.
Typically, making regular updates to investment strategies is not the best approach — this is especially true for DAF holders. The investment strategy for assets within a DAF is built to withstand market volatility and uncertainty.
Therefore, resisting the urge to make drastic changes or chart a new course in response to market fluctuations or other external factors is often the best tactic. Letting low fees and an established plan do the heavy lifting of growing assets to increase charitable impact is generally the best path forward.
However, there can be value in revisiting grantmaking priorities on a regular basis. Adjusting grantmaking strategies based on emergency needs, shifting societal forces and family priorities can be rewarding for you and your chosen causes.
Funding models such as recurring and recoverable grants can help amplify efforts and achieve charitable goals. Revisiting these priorities often can yield greater philanthropic impact and provide greater meaning and value in any specific year and over the long term.
Meet change with confidence
Ultimately, while shifting tax landscapes and market dynamics may necessitate a fresh look at how and when you contribute to your charitable vehicles, the core of your philanthropic mission remains unchanged. By leveraging flexible tools, such as a donor-advised fund, you can seamlessly navigate legislative complexities without compromising your support for the causes that matter most.
As you plan for the year ahead, consider partnering with your financial adviser to ensure your giving strategy is as tax efficient as it is impactful, allowing your charitable legacy to thrive regardless of the changing rules around it.
Related Content
- For More Flexible Giving, Consider Combining a Charitable Remainder Trust With a Donor-Advised Fund
- How to Maximize Your Impact With Strategic Philanthropy Tools
- A Financial Planner Takes a Deep Dive Into How Charitable Trusts Benefit You and Your Favorite Charities
- Five Ways to Maintain Charitable Giving During Volatile Times: A Giver's Guide
- DAFs vs. Private Foundations: Which Giving Strategy Is Right for You?
