Donor-advised funds: So much to celebrate

Over the years, our team has talked with many people who are surprised to learn that they can set up a wide variety of charitable giving vehicles at Kitsap Community Foundation, including legacy gifts and lifetime giving vehicles such as donor-advised funds. What’s more, some people who have already established a donor-advised fund at a national financial institution don’t realize that they could have set up that donor-advised fund within the Kitsap Community.

Establishing a donor-advised fund is a terrific first step toward establishing a comprehensive charitable giving plan. And October is a particularly good time to evaluate the role of a donor-advised fund as part of your philanthropic strategy. That’s because October 9 is DAF Day 2025, a national celebration of donor-advised funds and the impact they make in communities everywhere.

If you already have a donor-advised fund at a national financial institution, the good news is that it’s never too late to transfer the fund to Kitsap Community Foundation. You’ll be glad to know that donor-advised funds at KCF can carry the same tax and administrative advantages as those at national firms, including:

• Online account access and simple grant request processes

• Consolidated tax reporting and full back-office administration

• Useful as a tool for “bunching” by front-loading several years of charitable giving into a single tax year to exceed the standard deduction threshold

• Dollars in the fund support favorite charities over time, enabling strategic giving

  
  

Here’s where a donor-advised fund at Kitsap Community Foundation really stands out:

• Personal guidance and deep community knowledge of staff members who live and work in our region

• Close relationships with nonprofit leaders and organizations across many fields

• Tailored advice, local insights, and opportunities to collaborate with others who share donors’ interests

• Community Investment Fees support Kitsap Community Foundation’s programs and our local nonprofits, including the Kitsap Great Give, the Kitsap Center for Nonprofit Excellence, and our partnership with FreeWill, a service that allows anyone to create a legal will online for FREE.  For more information, please visit www.freewill.com/kitsapfoundation

  
  

If you haven't yet set up a donor-advised fund at Kitsap Community Foundation, we would welcome the opportunity to serve you! Here, your fund will be managed with the highest level of care, grounded in a true understanding of community needs, and supported by professionals who are committed not only to your goals but also to the health and vibrancy of our region. Together, we can make sure your charitable assets accomplish exactly what you intend—whether that means making an immediate difference, planning for the future, or both.