60% of AGI for cash donations and 30% of AGI for appreciated securities.

Example: $200k AGI allows $120k cash deduction or $60k stock deduction.

Excess carries forward 5 years.

Bunching multiple years into one DAF contribution maximizes tax benefit by exceeding standard deduction ($29,200 married 2025).

You avoid capital gains tax on appreciation and deduct full fair market value.

Example: $50k stock with $30k basis saves $4,760 capital gains tax (20% LTCG + 3.8% NIIT) plus $12,000 income tax deduction (24% bracket) = $16,760 total benefit vs $12,000 cash donation benefit.

Bunching combines 2-3 years of charitable giving into one year to exceed the standard deduction.

Example: $20k annual giving ($60k bunched) + $29.2k standard deduction = itemize $60k vs standard, saving $7,392 extra (24% bracket).

You control grants over multiple years while capturing immediate deduction.

You recommend grants on your schedule while invested balance grows tax-free at ~6-8% annually.

Example: $100k DAF contribution, grant $10k/year, 7% growth = $138k total grants over 10 years vs $100k if donated directly.

Leverages compound growth for greater charitable impact.

Typical fees: 0.6-1.2% annually (asset-based) plus $0-100 account fee.

Example: $100k DAF = $600-1,200/year.

Fees are NOT separately deductible but reduce investable balance.

Tax benefit comes from initial contribution deduction, not ongoing fees.

Still net positive vs taxable investing + direct giving.

Yes to any IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity, anytime.

Cannot grant to individuals, private foundations, or donor-advised funds.

Most DAFs process grants in 1-5 days.

You receive immediate tax deduction at contribution, grants recommended later.

Minimum grant typically $50-250 depending on DAF provider.