Donor-Advised Funds
FAQ: Donor-Advised Funds
Legal Compliance Guidance, Fundamentals
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 includes the first comprehensive regulation of donor-advised funds. These requirements generally took effect at the beginning of the tax year following enactment of the Act, for charities that hold assets in such funds. However, a provision barring the payment…
Engaging Donor-Advised Funds in Impact Investing
Toolkit
A Toolkit for Community Foundations
“Impact investing” is the practice of investing for social and environmental impact while generating financial return. For community foundations, impact investing represents a new, complementary tool for achieving community change. Community foundations are…
Donor-Advised Fund Flowchart
Legal Compliance Guidance
This handy flowchart can help you determine which funds should be classified as donor-advised under the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Remember, a fund is only a donor-advised fund if:
A donor or person appointed or designated by the donor has, or reasonably expects to have, advisory…
OverviewOn November 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations that would clarify how the Treasury and the IRS interpret rules governing donor advised funds (DAFs) under Section 4966. Specifically, the proposed rule…
Scholarship Exchange
Join this peer space for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs. These engaging peer events are designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you…
Topic: Endowment Funds and Nonprofit Endowments Featured Speakers: Lisa Pitsiri, Director of Donor Services and Programs, and Sara Parcell, Director of Philanthropic Services, Communities Foundation of OklahomaJoin fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a virtual meet-up…
Topic: From Frustration to Function: Real-World CRM Solutions for Donor Services Featured Speaker: Jason Arbacheski, CAP, Senior Philanthropy Planning Officer, Chester County Community FoundationJoin fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a virtual meet-up focused on CRM…
Topic: Mapping the Journey - Creative Approaches to Donor Services Featured Speakers: Bea Thomas, Donor Services Officer and Becca Root, Senior Donor Services and Gift Planning Officer, Pittsburgh FoundationDonor stewardship isn’t just a checklist – it’s a journey. Join this peer discussion on…
Topic: Growing Unrestricted Assets, Practice-Based ConversationsGet ready to roll up your sleeves! In this interactive session on growing unrestricted assets, we will dive into hands-on, practice-based discussions and role-playing exercises. You’ll explore strategies for having donor conversations…
Topic: Speaking the Same Language: Partnering with Professional Advisors From referrals to relationships, working effectively with professional advisors such as CPAs and Attorneys can bolster donor services opportunities. This conversation will explore what successful advisor partnerships look…
Topic: Donor Engagement StrategiesHow do you make donors feel truly seen and valued without getting lost in the logistics of providing touchpoints at scale? Join your fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a peer discussion on donor engagement and stewardship, exploring how…
Legal Matters for Community Foundations - Virtual - September 2026
Training OverviewSession Hours:Tuesday, September 29: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ETThursday, October 1: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ETThroughout the training, sessions will include:Insight from Council's top-notch legal team that interacts with nearly 2,000 foundation leaders each yearTrends spotted by our broader team,…
Training Hours
Tuesday, February 3: 1 - 4:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, February 5: 1 - 4:30 p.m. ET
Throughout the training, sessions will include:
Insight from Council's top-notch legal team that interacts with nearly 2,000 foundation leaders each year
Trends spotted by our broader team,…
Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - December 2025
Topic: Fueling Your Foundation: Strategies for Unrestricted Funds and Growing Impact
Join fellow donor service professionals for a practical and engaging discussion on securing operating support and expanding field of interest funds. We’ll share strategies for raising unrestricted dollars,…
Topic: Thriving in Donor Services with a Small and Mighty Team
Small team juggling big responsibilities? You’re not alone! Join fellow donor service professionals for a fun and supportive discussion on how to keep things running smoothly, even with staff turnover and limited resources. We’ll swap…
Topic: Open Networking
Join fellow community foundation donor services staff for networking designed to spark connection and idea-sharing. This informal gathering will feature small breakout rooms with guided discussion questions to help build relationships, exchange insights, and support one…