Donor Advised Funds

Individuals and Families
Professional Advisors
Financial Institutions

About AEF Donor Advised Funds:
Donor Benefits
Tax Benefits
Grantmaking Basics
Why a Donor Advised Fund
How a Donor Advised Fund Works
What to Give
Investment Options
Socially Responsible Investing
Privacy
Grant-making
Solutions

Strategies
Enhancing Charitable Trusts
Terminating Charitable Trusts
Program Related Investments
Bequests
Success Stories
Philanthropy 101
Private Foundation
Private Foundation Comparison

In the News
About AEF
Independence
In the News
Charity Navigator Letter
Research a Charity
FAQ
Testimonials
Resources
Contact us

The AEF Difference

AEF’s program is distinguished from other Donor Advised Fund programs in several ways:

Independence

• AEF is not the captive charity of a for-profit company or affiliated with another nonprofit.
  
  
• AEF does not sell financial products or services.
  
  
• AEF has no hidden agenda or secondary agenda, i.e. social, religious, geographic, investment, or succession.

While many claim independence, most Donor Advised Fund programs are the "captive charity" of a for profit company. AEF is truly independent, and does not provide financial advice, sell financial products, or offer custody services. We accrue no benefit from brokerage services, commissions, finder fees, or product sales. AEF does not compete with financial advisors or financial institutions.
 
Open investment architecture
Most commercial and community foundation programs restrict investment choice to a limited menu of proprietary mutual funds or pools. Contributed funds are segregated and can include a wide variety mutual funds and/or individual securities in separately managed portfolios.

Designed for donors who depend on their trusted advisor
AEF is designed for donors who are typically familiar with a more tailored approach to investments. At AEF, donors may recommend their investment manager to manage the investments in separately managed accounts. The primary appeal of separately managed accounts lies in the investment manager’s ability to tailor the asset allocation and the selection of securities.

Contribution flexibility
Most commercial Donor Advised Fund programs accept only cash and marketable securities. AEF also accepts life insurance policies, closely held stock, real estate, etc..

Liquidation flexibility
Most commercial and community foundation programs require immediate liquidation of contributed assets. AEF can hold assets in-kind.

Succession
Many community foundation programs limit succession to the life of the donor and the donor's spouse and/or to the children of the donor. At that point, the family is no longer involved. AEF allows the Fund to continue over successive generations.

Grant-making flexibility
Many community foundations limit grants to their geographic area of interest. AEF's scope is nationwide. AEF has no hidden and/or secondary agenda (program, social, religious, geographic, investment, or succession).

Ease of Access
AEF provides concierge level service to donors. Advisors and donors communicate directly with AEF’s principals.

Questions? Need Help?

Call us at 1-888-440-4233 or Click here to email