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, as do younger and emerging community foundations concentrating on growth. Community foundations in Indiana, many of whom were established through the Lilly endowment and occupy the two smaller asset size bands, are well-represented here.
Median percentages for the proportion of assets that are endowed and non-endowed may not add up to 100% due to rounding. (n=250)
Product mix
Larger community foundations tend to have higher proportions of assets in donor-advised funds, which, in combination with holding more in non-endowed assets, reflect an ability to provide flexible philanthropic vehicles to donors.
Averages were used to total 100 percent. (n=255)
| Size of Foundation | Donor-advised funds | Discretionary funds | All other funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$25M | 15% | 24% | 61% |
| $25-$50M | 15% | 18% | 68% |
| $50-$100M | 24% | 22% | 53% |
| $100-$250M | 29% | 16% | 54% |
| $250-$500M | 31% | 17% | 52% |
| $500M+ | 36% | 23% | 46% |
| All | 24% | 20% | 57% |
Total donor-advised fund assets, gifts, and grants
Donor-advised fund flow rate
Distribution rates
Foundation-wide distribution rates increase along with overall asset size. A similar relationship between asset size and donor-advised fund distribution rate is observed. This is no small way can be attributable to the proportion of non-endowed assets held by larger foundations, which can tend to be more active grantmakers.
For every asset size cohort represented, the distribution rate of donor-advised funds, increasingly popular philanthropic vehicles, outpaces the foundation as a whole.
Sample size for DAF distribution rates are slightly smaller (n=213) than for the whole foundation (n=261).
| Size of Foundation | Donor-Advised Funds | Whole Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| <$25M | 5% | 4% |
| $25M - $50M | 7% | 4% |
| $50M - $100M | 8% | 5% |
| $100M - $250M | 9% | 6% |
| $250M - $500M | 13% | 7% |
| >$500M | 12% | 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?
