To the Editor,

My colleagues at West Central Initiative often smile when I say, “Donor Advised Funds are the coolest thing,” because they know that this mantra of mine is so very true. Not only do Donor Advised Funds help the donor with charitable giving throughout the year, but what our donors do with these funds makes a considerable difference to the organizations they choose to support.  

There are many reasons to choose a community foundation for your Donor Advised Funds. People in our region might not realize that West Central Initiative, as a community foundation providing myriad philanthropic services, offers a local option to establish a Donor Advised Fund right here in west central Minnesota.

We work directly with the donor to help them make gifts to some of their favorite charities. We can even help donors find new organizations to share their generosity. 

For example, recently, one donor made gifts in the region to a child care center and a senior citizens center from their fund. Each of these organizations was totally surprised and forever grateful because the funds came at a time when they needed a little extra help. What joy it gave the donor to know they helped in such a meaningful way and at such a crucial time. The recipient organizations, in turn, sent notes of appreciation, which brightened the donor’s day.

Meanwhile, just down the road, another donor is using their Donor Advised Fund to support efforts to address the city’s buckthorn problem, enhance a walking and biking trail, and advance child care initiatives. Others are using their funds to help their churches and schools meet some of their year-end goals. 

And here’s one of the best parts of having a Donor Advised Fund—when you, as an individual, make a monetary contribution to your fund, you receive the tax deduction right away. The Donor Advised Fund serves as your charitable giving vehicle all year round! You may not know all the organizations you want to support before the end of the year, but you have the luxury of making those choices throughout the year. Other advantages include one tax receipt rather than many and the ability to use your fund as a family fund that allows you and your children to make choices together.

If you’re thinking about legacy giving, a Donor Advised Fund can also become a vehicle for the future and can be one of the ways you leave estate gifts to the organizations you want to support. One of West Central Initiative’s legacy gifts started as such a fund and then grew into a considerable trust that makes gifts, in perpetuity, to regional organizations every year.

So, if you’re wondering where to go or what to do with your year-end giving, give us a call. We’d be happy to help you set up your own Donor Advised Fund or contribute to an existing fund. We can also work with you and your family’s team on estate planning and planned giving for the future.  

Finally, another mantra of mine is that you can “make gifts to and through West Central Initiative.” If you appreciate our work, you can make gifts directly to us. You can give through us if you see a charitable organization you’d like to support in our portfolio. Any fees paid for offering these services go right back into the region to help support the programs, grants, loans, and other services we offer. Consider opening a Donor Advised Fund with West Central Initiative today. Donor Advised Funds – Charitable giving at its best!

Rebecca Lynn Petersen,

West Central Initiative Director of Development