Funds
Differences in community foundation size are reflected in their different operating models and product focus.
Endowed and non-endowed assets
Smaller community foundations tend to have a much higher proportion of endowed assets than their larger counterparts.
Median percentages for the proportion of assets that are endowed and non-endowed may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
(n=229)
Product mix
Donor-advised funds tend to make up a more significant portion of assets in larger community foundations, which, while also having a higher proportion of non-endowed assets, could be reflective of their ability to provide flexible grantmaking options to their donors.
Averages were used to total 100%.
(n=238)
| Size of Foundation | Donor-advised funds | Discretionary funds | All other funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$25M | 10% | 25% | 64% |
| $25-$50M | 17% | 18% | 64% |
| $50-$100M | 27% | 21% | 52% |
| $100-$250M | 24% | 18% | 58% |
| $250-$500M | 36% | 15% | 49% |
| $500M+ | 35% | 13% | 52% |
| All | 22% | 19% | 58% |
Total donor-advised fund assets, gifts, and grants
Donor-advised fund flow rate
Distribution rates
As community foundation asset size as well as the proportion of those assets in non-endowed assets grows, so too do foundation-wide distribution rates. Additionally, donor-advised funds are seen as more active funding vehicles. It is important to specifically watch the growth of donor-advised and discretionary funds over time. DAFs are a widely-used donor vehicle and one of the fastest growing, while discretionary funds ultimately provide flexibility to a community foundation.
Sample size for DAF distribution rates are slightly smaller (n=238) than for the whole foundation (n=246).
| Size of Foundation | Donor-Advised Funds | Whole Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| <$25M | 4% | 4% |
| $25M - $50M | 7% | 5% |
| $50M - $100M | 11% | 6% |
| $100M - $250M | 11% | 7% |
| $250M - $500M | 13% | 9% |
| >$500M | 13% | 8% |
Inactive donor-advised funds policy
This data point was included in the CF Insights Annual Survey beginning in 2019.
How many years until a DAF is considered inactive?
This data point was included in the CF Insights Annual Survey beginning in 2019.
Steps taken to address inactive donor-advised funds
This data point was included in the CF Insights Annual Survey beginning in 2019.
What's the idea behind the survey?
CF Insights responds to a hunger for shared knowledge among community foundations. Learn more about how this survey helps us do that.
Questions?
