How to Open a Northwestern Mutual Renaissance Charitable Donor-Advised Fund
A simple guide to getting started with a Renaissance Charitable donor-advised fund through Northwestern Mutual.
Account Setup Process
1. Open Investment Account
2. Submit the Online DAF Application
3. Docusign the DAF Application
4. Login and Create Your Password
5. Send Proof of Funding
6. Account Ready for Granting
Before you Begin
- Review and provide NWM DAF Program Circular to your client.
- For all investment account documentation, Renaissance Charitable Foundation (RCF), not the donor, must be listed as the account owner.
- Your firm may require you to be licensed in Indiana to proceed. Check with your compliance department before getting started.
Start your Donor-Advised Fund
Open Investment Account
- Send the investment paperwork for e-signatures to the below recipients, ensure the areas that need signature are highlighted:
- Jason R. Smoot- JasonSmoot@rcgf.org | (234) 380-0174
- Morgan C. Gill – MorganGill@rcgf.org | (234) 380-0475
- Corporate Secretary, if applicable: Cheryl L. Casey – CherylCasey@rcgf.org | (234) 380-4409
- Important Notes:
- Contact numbers listed for text confirmation of e-signatures ONLY
- Ensure investment paperwork is filled out with correct information before sending to avoid delays.
Establish the RCF-owned investment account after signed paperwork is returned.
Do NOT move forward to step 2 until the investment account is fully open with the account number and signed paperwork.
Submit the Online DAF Application
You’ll need the primary financial advisor’s CRD number and the investment account number to complete this step.
- New Advisor start the application here
- Returning Advisor please log-in to your account and select ‘Add an Account’
Docusign the DAF Application
Check your inbox for a DocuSign request from DAFappSupport@reninc.com with the Subject Line Sign Your DAF Application. The email goes to the primary advisor and donor(s) listed on the application only.
Login and Create Your Password
- New Advisors and Your Client: You and your client will receive a welcome email from do_not_reply@reninc.com containing a link to complete your credentials. Use it to log in and set your permanent credentials within 48 hours. If you or your client missed this window, go to northwesternmutual.donorfirstx.com, select Log In and then click Create or Reset Password.
- Existing Advisor: You will find the new account under Account Listing in the Donor Portal.
Note: The account will have $0 balance until the next step is complete, please wait to recommend a grant until the balance appears.
Add Investment Account to RCF Data Feed
- Ensure the newly established investment account is added to the RCF Pershing data feed under prefix TU5.
- Do NOT move forward to step 7 until the funding is complete.
Send Proof of Funding
Once the investment account is funded, please submit the proof of funding in the Donor Portal via the account details page. You will need a screenshot of the investment account or statement that includes:
- Investment Account number
- Asset Type
- Number of shares / cash amount
- Asset Name
- Date of initial funding
Account Ready for Granting
Once Ren does a final review, the account will be placed in grant ready status
Please Note: Once your grant has been submitted and passed vetting, an invoice will be available in the Donor Portal under DAF Insights, where you will find instructions on how to fund your grant.
RCF address
8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1222, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Please do NOT share the PII of the Foundation’s Officers with your other clients. For most advisors, this means do not share with your clients a copy of the Account Application, Corporate Resolution, Beneficial Owner / Control Person forms or other forms that include the Officer’s PII.
Also, if your clients are setting up a DAF, this also means do not send a single DocuSign to those clients and also to the Foundation that includes the DAF Application, and the Account Application or other forms that include the Officer’s PII.
Wondering if your firm has a Ren Powered DAF?
Check whether your firm already has a Ren-supported DAF program.
Need something else? Email rcf@reninc.com or call 866-803-0389 (weekdays 8am–5pm ET) anytime.
