How are grants made from a donor advised fund?

You may make a grant at any time throughout the year, at your convenience.

Unlike outright gifts, your grants are not dependent on a December 31st deadline for tax benefits.
A distribution from the fund is typically processed with in ten (10) business days of the Community Foundation’s receipt of your grant recommendation.
The minimum amount of a grant distribution from the donor advised fund is $250.

You may support any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—local or national.

Grants can also be made to support your place of worship, faith-based schools and nonprofits—located in Michigan and throughout the United States.
Non-charities and private non-operating foundations are not eligible for grants from donor-advised funds. If you have questions about the eligibility of an organization, please contact us. We can help provide due diligence in researching a nonprofit.

As required by federal tax law, grants may not result in a personal benefit to any individual. This typically means that a donor-advised fund grant cannot be used to:

Pay an enforceable, irrevocable charitable pledge obligation
Purchase a membership at a nonprofit that provides benefits of value
Purchase a fundraising event ticket
Support a private non-operating foundation
Support non-charitable activities such as crowdfunding campaigns or political organizations
Earmark support to a person or family being served by or working for the recipient charity, including other advisors to the fund or parties related to the donor