Fund Type Comparison Grid

Donor Advised Fund at
Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF)
Commercially Affiliated
Charitable Fund (CACF)
Private Foundation
Minimum Fund Size
  • $10,000
  • Varies: $5,000 - $50,000
  • No minimum.
Governance
  • GWCF Board of Directors.
  • Assets become property of GWCF.
  • Donor may recommend grants from their Fund.
  • Trustees at CACF headquarters.
  • Assets become property of CACF
  • Donors may recommend grants from their Fund.
  • Independent corporation with its own Board of Trustees.
Administration
  • GWCF handles accounting, audit, due diligence, check writing, etc.
  • 1% administrative fee on current market value.
 
  • Accounting, audit, due diligence, check writing, etc. at CACF.
  • Fees vary. Range 0.5% - 2.5%; may include mark-up for financial advisor.
  • Independent, created and overseen by Trustees.
  • All costs (payroll, audit, compliance, etc) are responsibility of Foundation.
Investment
  • GWCF Managed Fund or money market account option.
  • Investment management fees charged to the Fund; average fee for GWCF Managed Fund: 0.65%.
 
  • Multiple investment options.
  • Investment management fees charged to the Fund; cost varies depending on underlying mutual fund; range 0.3%-2.0%.
  • Investment vehicles selected and overseen by Board of Trustees.
  • Investment management fees are responsibility of the Foundation.
Funding Limits and Federal Tax Consequences
  • Cash gifts: 50% of AGI.
  • Capital gain property: 30% of AGI.
  • All capital gain property including illiquid assets tax deductible at current value.
  • 5-year carry-over available.
  • No tax on Fund’s investment income.
  • Cash gifts: 50% of AGI.
  • Capital gain property: 30% of AGI.
  • All capital gain property deductible at current value.
  • Some CACFs may accept illiquid assets.
  • 5-year carry-over available.
  • No tax on Fund’s investment income.
  • Cash gifts: 30% of AGI.
  • Capital gain property: 20% of AGI.
  • Publicly traded securities deductible at current value.
  • Privately held stock and other assets deductible at basis.
  • 5-year carry-over available.
  • 2% excise tax on investment income.
Visibility
  • Fund name acknowledged in grant letters and listed in annual reports OR
  • Optional anonymity
  • No public disclosure of Fund’s activities
  • Fund name acknowledged in grant letters.
  • No public disclosure of Fund’s activities.
  • Desire for degree of visibility determined by Board of Trustees.
  • Issues own grant guidelines and annual reports.
  • Detailed public disclosure annually by posting IRS 990PF on Internet.
Grant Making Process
  • Donor Advisor recommends grants; approval by GWCF required.
  • GWCF provides due diligence review of grantees recommended by donor.
  • Prescreened proposals in interest area(s) referred to donor advisors, if requested.
  • Research on specific nonprofits upon request.
  • Option to distribute grants from principal as well as income.
  • Donor/Advisor recommends grants; approval by CACF required.
  • CACF provides due diligence review of grantees recommended by donor.
  • Most provide option to distribute grants from principal as well as income.
  • Many require annual minimum payout of 5% of assets.
  • Subject to screening, evaluation and approval by Board of Trustees.
  • Restrictions on “self dealing.”
  • Annual minimum payout 5% of assets.
Grant Making Capabilities and Restrictions
  • Broad flexibility, including national and international charities.
  • GWCF has in-depth knowledge of Central Massachusetts needs and opportunities.
  • Restrictions on grants to support lobbying.
  • Ultimate purpose defined by donor or unrestricted.
  • Broad flexibility, including national and international charities.
  • Restrictions on grants to support lobbying.
  • Ultimate purpose defined by donor or unrestricted.
  • Determined by Board of Trustees.
  • Restrictions on scholarship and research grants.
  • Prohibition against grants to support lobbying.
  • Purpose may be changed by future trustees.
Note: Policies and laws governing charitable gifts are subject to change. Examine carefully the policies that apply whenever you create a fund or foundation.