Understanding Gift Fund Policies

We understand that the Gift Fund's policies are important to charitable organizations when donors recommend grants from the Gift Fund. When a charitable organization receives a Gift Fund grant, the organization is required to certify that it meets eligibility requirements and is in compliance with Gift Fund policies. This certification is made when the grant recipient cashes the grant check.

View the certification as it appears on the check >

Call with Questions: 1-800-952-4438

The Gift Fund is happy to work with you. Contact us if you have any questions, especially when you embark on a campaign and anticipate receiving support from Gift Fund donors.

We want to help your organization and our mutual donors have an effective and efficient experience and together we may be able to streamline our required due diligence to ensure that grants are in compliance with Gift Fund policies and, therefore, can be approved and processed.

Please note that the Gift Fund does not provide legal or tax advice. Any charitable organization receiving grants from charities with donor advised fund programs should consult its own tax advisor, and also consult its own counsel before implementing any donor program or establishing policies. However, charitable organizations may benefit from sample information provided on three of our policies.

Gift Fund Grants Cannot Provide "More Than Incidental Benefits"

All Gift Fund grants must be used exclusively for charitable purposes. Therefore, grants cannot be made that provide "more than incidental benefits" to a donor, other account holders, or their families. The three Gift Fund Policy Examples are the most common grant recommendation scenarios that potentially result in a more than incidental benefit being impermissibly received as a result of the Gift Fund grant.

We also provide alternatives to help you work with our mutual donors. Your organization may want to consider these options and implement minor changes to your fundraising practices to accommodate your donors who give through donor advised fund grant recommendations.