What are the benefits of different charitable giving options?
There are many ways to give to the causes you care about. In the past, you've likely given directly to nonprofits working on issues that matter to you. Now, you might be considering ways to elevate your charitable giving to ensure your approach is organized, tax-advantageous, and meaningful—for you, your family, your community, and the causes you love.
In addition to giving cash gifts there are three charitable giving vehicles that many people consider in this situation:
Of course, we believe establishing a charitable fund at a community foundation provides you with opportunities to strengthen your local community, network with like-minded people, and maximize the impact of your charitable giving in ways that private foundations and commercial gift funds cannot. Still, it's important that you consider the various charitable giving vehicles available to you, so as you explore the options, we hope the chart below can help you decide which is right for you:
Charitable Fund at Community Foundation | Private Foundation | Commercial Gift Fund |
Cash Gifts to Nonprofits |
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Support public charities in the U.S. |
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Growth potential |
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Income tax deduction |
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Accept donation of non-cash items |
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Ability to name successors |
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No startup costs |
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No annual taxes |
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N/A |
No annual 5% payout required |
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N/A |
Grant and admin services |
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Anonymous granting option |
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Fees re-invested in our community |
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N/A |
Network with other philanthropists |
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Personalized service and recommendations |
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As you can see, just as there are similarities between these charitable giving options, there are also important differences we encourage donors to keep in mind. Among them:
Surang Robinson moved the Malcolm W. Robinson Foundation to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation so she could focus on supporting her husband’s legacy, rather than dealing with the complexities of maintaining a private foundation.
As you can see, the benefits of giving through a charitable fund at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation are plentiful. We offer a variety of charitable fund options to ensure your philanthropic giving is customized to your wishes, tax-smart, and impactful — from Donor Advised Funds (the most common option) to Scholarship Funds, and more.
See our menu of charitable funds
If you'd like to learn more about establishing a charitable fund at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, please reach out to our team any time. We are happy to help you explore different giving options and discover the one that is right for you.
CONTACT OUR TEAM TO SCHEDULE A MEETING
The information provided here is general and educational in nature, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation.
We are here to help you simplify your giving and strengthen your impact. We look forward to helping make your philanthropy powerful and rewarding, creating the lasting change you want to see — in this community and beyond.