1
Open your account
Start the process by opening a charitable account. Go to open account and gather the information needed prior to start.
Vanguard Charitable can accept donations of cash (check, wire, EBT), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and illiquid assets. We can accept assets held at banks, Vanguard, or another firm. Interested in contributing something else? Contact us to find out how we can help.
We see contributions spike toward the end of the year, but you may not want to wait that long. When you're ready, log onto your account and follow the easy step-by-step instructions.
Manage your charitable giving
The unique structure of a donor-advised fund account at Vanguard Charitable allows you to manage your charitable giving in a cost-effective, flexible, and convenient way. Use the information on this page as a guide to help understand the full giving experience with us.
How to contribute
Donating assets can be completed in three simple steps
- Choose an asset to donate
- Review instructions and sign required documents
- Submit materials to Vanguard Charitable
Giving tax strategy
Using charitable giving as part of your overall tax strategy can help your financial goals, as well as make an impact.
Benefits of tax-effective philanthropy
Supporting charity through a donor-advised fund is an attractive form of tax-effective philanthropy. The immediate tax deduction may allow you to reduce capital gains on donations of appreciated securities, real estate, financial windfalls, as well as plan for major life events.
Read more about how to include philanthropy in your tax strategy:
Charitable tax strategies
Giving tax-effectively
Getting started
Complex Assets
Complex assets, such as hedge fund or private equity investments, insurance policies, and non-publicly traded stocks, are often highly impactful donations.
Donating complex assets for charitable giving
We specialize in accepting complex or illiquid assets for charitable donation. Many nonprofits are not equipped to accept these types of donations because of high liquidation costs and heavy staff involvement. We can help. Certain assets may require prequalification, higher contribution amounts, additional fees and extended processing times. Give us a call to discuss your asset.
Deferred & planned giving
Setting up a deferred giving plan may offer your heirs certain tax benefits and ensure your philanthropic vision lives on.
Planned giving options
Many planned giving options allow you to donate assets, such as a qualified retirement plan/401k, individual retirement account (IRA), life insurance policy, trust, and will. Learn more about deferred or planned giving opportunities.
Private Foundation & Consolidating DAFs
Are you looking to move your private foundation or another DAF over to Vanguard Charitable? We can help.
Consolidate your DAFs
To move a DAF into a Vanguard Charitable account, simply recommend a grant to us using our EIN: 23-2888152.
Terminate a private foundation into a DAF
These are the steps you can take to terminate a private foundation and bring the funds into a Vanguard Charitable DAF account.