Donor-Advised Funds
From everyday giving to sophisticated strategies, it all starts
How Do Donor-Advised Funds Work?
Contribution
You contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a DAF. Once you donate, you don’t have to grant until you are ready. However, you do get an immediate tax benefit for the donation.
Investment
The funds you contribute can be invested, growing tax-free over time. You have the flexibility to recommend how the funds are invested, depending on which philanthropies you want to support.
Granting
Over time, you can recommend grants to qualified charities. We handle the administrative work, everything from due diligence on the charities to disbursing the grants.
DAFs Make Giving Easy
Separate tax timelines from giving timelines.
Log your charitable deduction when you need it, and distribute grants when charities need it. Easier decision-making, more attuned giving.
Amplify your impact.
Since invested assets grow tax-free, your gift can multiply for even greater impact in your community. Maintain your privacy as your gifting grows, if you choose.
Streamline donations.
You or your advisor can recommend grants with just a few clicks and get automated updates. No more tracking down addresses, mailing checks, or tracking receipts.
What can be contributed to a DAF?
| Asset Type | Accepted by most DAFs | Accepted by some DAFs | Not accepted by any DAFs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common financial assets | Cash & cash equivalents, public equities, fixed income instruments | REIT shares, Insurance & annuities | Margined securities |
| Private and business interests | C-Corp, partnership interests, sole proprietorships, foreign traded stock | S-Corp, PE/VC LP stakes, carried interest, hedge funds, alternatives | Business interests with a binding sale agreement |
| Tangible personal property | Real estate, art, jewelry, other collectibles | Precious metals, farm crops, vehicles | Debt encumbered real estate and/or assets with a binding sales agreement |
| Intangible assets | - | Cryptocurrency, royalties | Patents, copyrights, trademarks, other intellectual property |
Find Your DAF Program
Ren powers DAF programs inside a variety of wealth management firms. Find out if your firm has a Ren-powered program below.
Ren-powered DAFs by the numbers
500K
Individual givers supported
2M
Grants processed annually
~50%
U.S. DAF assets using Ren technology
25
Years powering DAFs
What Advisors Should Know
DAFs are a very popular giving vehicle. Here are a few key things you should know before opening one for your client.
Why Are Donor-Advised Funds So Popular?
Why do so many donors choose donor-advised funds? Simply, put, they remove friction: one contribution, a tax deduction in the year of contribution, and grants whenever the client is ready.
Why Clients Open DAFs Without Telling You, And How to Make Sure They Don’t
If you haven’t raised the question of giving to charity, clients may look for answers on their own. Learn how to build the charity conversation into annual reviews, onboarding, and tax-season meetings.
What Every Advisor Needs to Know About Charitable Deductions in 2026
New 2026 rules change how charitable deductions work, including a 0.5% AGI floor and a 35% cap for top-bracket clients. See what to model before tax season.
What to Say When a Client Mentions Taxes but Not Giving
When clients bring up taxes, they’re usually weighing their options. See how to widen the conversation naturally and keep the door open for charity.
How Donating Non-Cash Assets Actually Works
Think of non-cash giving like estate or trust planning: lead with the opportunity and bring in specialists for the rest. Here’s how to start the conversation.
How Ren Works With…
Financial Advisors
Learn moreWe understand a financial advisor’s primary job is helping clients build wealth. These resources will help you confidently serve your client’s charitable giving needs without having to become the expert.
Donors
Learn moreRen administers donor-advised funds and charitable trusts with nearly 40 years of expertise and innovation in charitable giving technology and service.
Wealth Management Firms
Learn moreRen is a one-stop shop for wealth management firms offering charitable gift vehicles and planned giving advice.
Operating Charities
Claim your charityAccess DAF grant and donor information, maintain your organization’s profile, send donor thank you notes, and set up receiving bank account for fast and secure payments through Ren for Charities.
Opening A DAF With Ren Direct
Ren is the software platform and operational backbone behind many DAF programs, charitable trusts, and other philanthropic vehicles, including at some of the largest wealth management firms.
Financial advisors and donors without a Ren-powered DAF program at their firm can open a Ren-powered donor-advised fund through Ren Direct. Ren Direct is an independent DAF program offered through the Renaissance Charitable Foundation and powered by Ren.
Ren Direct is known for its flexibility: neutral to custodian, investment manager, and causes. You and your client get to choose what to give, how to manage it, and when and to whom to give*—all while using the best in class technology platform.
*Renaissance Charitable Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) charity that sponsors DAF accounts for individuals, advisors, and firms and determines the contributions, investment, and granting policies for Ren Direct.
Additional Resources
Learn more about how donor-advised funds can help you maximize your impact.
Ready to amplify your impact?
FAQs
Explore Other Giving Solutions
We’re not just DAFs. Learn more about the other giving vehicles Ren offers.
