DAF: Donor Advised Funds
In honor of DAF day on October 8th, all DAF gifts received during October will go TWICE as far to support the Rainforest Alliance.
A donor advised fund, which is like a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to the Rainforest Alliance and other qualified charities or non-profits.
Every DAF gift made to the Rainforest Alliance this October will be added to our future matching funds, helping us create more matching opportunities that inspire other donors.
This means that your DAF gift will go twice as far to support the Rainforest Alliance’s work to protect forests, support Indigenous and local communities, and build sustainable livelihoods.
The Rainforest Alliance partners with DAFpay for easy and secure Donor Advised giving with fully encrypted login. Powered by Chariot.
What are the benefits of giving through a donor-advised fund?
• Support a charity you believe in through strategic giving, over time.
• Maintain family involvement in charitable decisions.
• Create a lasting legacy.
• Take advantage of immediate tax benefits with the ability to distribute funds later.
• Consolidate all your charitable giving.
• Ensure that you meet and/or exceed standard deductions by combining donations of stock to a DAF.
How Does a DAF Work?
1. To establish the fund, an individual makes an irrevocable tax-deductible contribution (cash, stock, real estate, etc.) to a sponsoring organization, community foundation or financial institution. Individuals receive a tax receipt and tax benefits when funds are deposited into their DAF.
2. The DAF sponsor oversees those funds as they grow tax-free(!).
3. The assets within the fund now legally belong to the sponsoring organization, but the DAF account holder retains advisory privileges over disbursements made from the DAF in addition to the investment strategy.
4. DAF account holders can recommend single or recurring donations to charitable organizations and non-profits such as the Rainforest Alliance. Funds in a DAF can only be used to support organizations that are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and classified as public charities under 509(a).
5. Once the DAF sponsoring organization approves, the recommended donation is made to the qualified organization.
Next Steps to Donate Through DAF
If you already have a DAF established: Use DAFpay to give now or contact your sponsoring organization and have them direct your gift to the address below.
Rainforest Alliance
EIN: 13-3377893
Address: 298 Fifth Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001
PLEASE NOTE: To properly attribute your generous contribution, and avoid any delay in its acknowledgement, please make sure your donation includes your full name and address. We often receive donations from financial institutions without sufficient information to identify the donor. To confirm your donation has been properly attributed and acknowledged, please contact us at development@ra.org and we'll be happy to help.
If you do not already have a DAF established: Follow the steps below to get started today. If you have questions, we are here to help! Contact us at development@ra.org.
1. Choose a sponsoring organization: Select a provider such as a commercial DAF sponsor, a community foundation, or a specialized platform.
2. Complete account documentation: Fill out the account application, name your fund (often your family or personal name), and designate any co-advisors or successors.
3. Make your initial contribution: Transfer cash, stocks, or other appreciated assets into the account to fund it.
4. Select your investments: Choose how your contributed assets should be invested while awaiting distribution to charities and non-profit organizations.
5. Recommend grants: Direct distributions from your fund to qualified 501(c)(3) public charities whenever you are ready.
