Portfolio Builders
Portfolio Builders act as building blocks for your charitable investment portfolio. Select from the individual funds, across risk and asset classes, to grow your philanthropic account tax-free. These funds, which are straightforward investment options driven by your giving timeline and philanthropic goals, will help you craft a personalize portfolio that aligns with your philanthropic vision. For information about performance and fund benchmarks, view our Investment Performance page.
Index building blocks
Investment fees range from 0.01% to 0.11%
Last updated 04/18/2024
Create the basis of your charitable portfolio
Short-Term TIPS
Short-Term Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities may be utilized by donors with shorter-term giving goals and less risk tolerance who are seeking a measure of protection from "unexpected inflation".
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.04%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
2.62%
1 Yr
4.63%
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Bloomberg U.S. 0-5 Year Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to offer protection against inflation with reduced price volatility through exposure to shorter-duration inflation-protected treasury bonds.
Total Bond
Total Bond may be utilized by donors who are not planning a significant amount of immediate granting, but who are working toward giving goals approximately 2-10 years in the future.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.01%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
6.65%
1 Yr
5.72%
5 Yrs
1.13%
10 Yrs
1.79%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Spliced Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to provide broad exposure to the investment-grade U.S. bond market.
Total International Bond
Total International Bond is designed to provide broad exposure to non-U.S. investment-grade bonds. This option offers diversification and can help reduce volatility of investment returns due to their low correlation to U.S. bonds. It can be aligned with both short-term and long-term goals.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.07%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
6.51%
1 Yr
8.89%
5 Yrs
0.90%
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged)
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to provide a diversified portfolio of U.S. dollar hedged, high-quality international bonds.
Total Equity
Total Equity, a multi-fund investment option, provides broad diversification and offers exposure to market performance of both U.S. and non-U.S. equities. For donors seeking to design their own target asset allocation, or those with a higher risk threshold and long-term granting plans, this low-cost option may be appealing.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.04%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
11.74%
1 Yr
23.03%
5 Yrs
12.74%
10 Yrs
9.19%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Composite benchmark return: 55% S&P 500 Index, 15% S&P Completion Index, and 30% Spliced Total International Stock Market Index.
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to provide growth of capital through a 100% allocation to U.S. and international stocks.
Total U.S. Stock
Total U.S. Stock is a broadly diversified equity portfolio and aligns with long-term giving goals. For donors looking to grow their charitable assets over time to plan for a large gift or personal legacy, this fund provides that opportunity through equity investments.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.01%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
12.20%
1 Yr
26.04%
5 Yrs
15.10%
10 Yrs
11.44%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Spliced Total Stock Market Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to provide exposure to large-, mid- and small-cap equities diversified across growth and value styles.
S&P 500
The S&P 500 pool is a broadly diversified equity portfolio achieving exposure to US large-cap stocks and aligning with long-term giving goals.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.02%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
11.67%
1 Yr
26.25%
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Standard & Poor’s 500 Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to track the performance of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, which measures the investment return of large-cap stocks.
Large-Cap Growth
For donors with a long-term granting time horizon, an investment in Large-Cap Growth provides exposure to larger U.S. companies in market sectors that tend to grow more quickly than the broader market. These stocks may be more volatile than their value counterparts.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.04%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
14.42%
1 Yr
46.72%
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to track the performance of CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, providing exposure to a broad range of U.S. growth-oriented stocks as determined by a variety of growth factors.
Large-Cap Value
For donors with a long-term granting time horizon, an investment in Large-Cap Value provides exposure to larger U.S. companies in market sectors that tend to grow at a slower pace than the broader market and may be temporarily undervalued by investors.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.04%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
9.12%
1 Yr
9.29%
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
CRSP US Large-Cap Value Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to track the performance of CRSP US Large Cap Value Index, providing exposure to a broad range of U.S. value-oriented stocks as determined by a variety of value factors.
Real Estate
For donors with a long-term granting horizon, Real Estate provides an additional level of diversification for a traditional stock and bond based portfolio.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.10%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
18.11%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
MSCI U.S. IM Real Estate 25/50 Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to provide a high level of income and moderate long-term capital appreciation by tracking a benchmark index that measures the performance of publicly traded REITs and other real estate-related investments.
Extended Market
For donors with a long-term granting time horizon, an investment in Extended Market offers broad exposure to U.S. small- and mid-cap stocks.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.04%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
15.10%
1 Yr
25.39%
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
S&P Completion Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to track the performance of the S&P Completion Index, providing broad exposure to U.S. small- and mid-cap stocks.
Total International Stock
Total International Stock provides greater diversification of equities, which increases both risk and potential return. Donors with long-term or open-ended philanthropic views may utilize this fund to work toward future giving and legacy goals.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 02/28/2024
0.08%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
10.00%
1 Yr
15.52%
5 Yrs
7.38%
10 Yrs
4.12%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Spliced Total International Stock Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks to provide broad exposure across developed and emerging non-U.S. equity markets.
Emerging Markets
For donors with a long-term granting time horizon, an investment in Emerging Markets provides a portfolio with a larger allocation of stocks in this region and introduces a higher level of risk inherent in international stock investments.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 09/30/2023
0.08%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 09/30/2023
Qtr
-2.15%
1 Yr
10.98%
5 Yrs
2.02%
10 Yrs
2.50%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Targets emerging markets common stocks.
European Stock
For donors with a long-term granting time horizon, an investment in European Stock provides a portfolio with a larger allocation of stocks in this region and introduces a higher level of risk inherent in international stock investments.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 02/27/2024
0.09%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
12.11%
1 Yr
20.03%
5 Yrs
9.17%
10 Yrs
4.34%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Spliced European Stock Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Targets European common stocks and is diversified across developed markets.
Pacific Stock
For donors with a long-term granting time horizon, an investment in Pacific Stock provides a portfolio with a larger allocation of stocks in this region and introduces a higher level of risk inherent in international stock investments.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 09/30/2023
0.08%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 09/30/2023
Qtr
-3.52%
1 Yr
20.21%
5 Yrs
1.56%
10 Yrs
3.71%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Spliced Pacific Stock Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Targets Pacific-region common stocks.
Active building blocks
Investment fees range from 0.07% to 0.38%
Last updated 04/18/2024
Include additional international region exposure to your portfolio
Money Market
The Money Market investment option can be utilized to maintain an account balance in preparation for immediate giving needs. While donors may grant from Money Market, it is not necessary to make grants solely from this investment option.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.10%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
1.27%
1 Yr
5.05%
5 Yrs
1.83%
10 Yrs
1.22%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
US Gov't Money Market Funds Average
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks to provide income while maintaining liquidity and a stable share price. Invests primarily in U.S. government agency obligations.
Ultra-Short-Term Bond
Ultra-Short-Term Bond may be utilized by donors with a shorter-term granting horizon and less risk tolerance.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.10%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
2.12%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Bellweathers: 1 Year Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks to provide current income while maintaining limited price volatility and aggregate performance consistent with ultra-short-term, investment-grade, fixed-income securities.
Short-Term Bond
Donors with ongoing granting plans or current charitable goals may consider utilizing Short-Term Bond. This fund may be used as part of a diversified portfolio aligned to immediate and short-term giving goals.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.07%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
3.91%
1 Yr
6.20%
5 Yrs
2.12%
10 Yrs
1.96%
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-5 Year Credit Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
passive
Goal
Seeks current income with limited price volatility and provides exposure to short-term, investment-grade fixed income securities.
Core Bond
For donors with a long-term granting horizon, Core Bond seeks to outperform the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Index by investing in fixed-income securities of various maturities, yields, and qualities.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.10%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
6.79%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks to provide total return while generating a moderate level of current income with diversified exposure primarily to investment-grade U.S. bonds.
High-Yield Corporate
For donors with a long-term granting horizon, an investment in High-Yield Corporate seeks to diversify their equity and fixed-income investments with below-investment-grade fixed-income holdings.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.13%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
7.37%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
High-Yield Corporate Composite Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks a high and sustainable level of current income by investing primarily in below-investment-grade corporate securities offering attractive yields.
Dividend Growth
For donors with a long-term granting horizon seeking to own large-cap stocks that trade at a discount to the market or that possess an attractive risk/reward profile.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.30%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
10.41%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index TR
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks to invest in a diversified array of stable, well-managed companies that have a history of or a potential for growing dividends over time.
U.S. Growth
For donors with a long-term granting horizon, U.S. Growth generally seeks an actively managed, multimanager investment in mostly large-cap U.S. growth companies.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 01/07/2024
0.20%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
15.45%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Russell 1000 Growth Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of large-cap stocks believed to have superior sustainable growth potential at reasonable valuations.
Windsor II
For donors with a long-term granting horizon, Windsor II seeks an actively managed, multimanager investment in U.S. mid- and large-cap value companies.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.26%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
11.76%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Russell 1000 Value Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks long-term capital appreciation and income by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of mid- and large-cap value stocks.
Explorer
For donors with a long-term granting horizon, Explorer seeks an actively managed, multimanager investment in U.S. small- and mid-cap growth companies.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.34%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
13.32%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Russell 2500 Growth Index
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad universe of small- and mid-cap growth stocks.
International Core Stock
For donors with a long-term granting horizon seeking actively managed investments in international mid- and large-cap companies.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.38%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
9.67%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
MSCI All Country World Index ex USA Net
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks to provide actively managed equity exposure to mid- and large-cap international stocks.
Commodity Strategy
For donors with a long-term granting horizon, an investment in Commodity Strategy seeks to diversify a portfolio with commodity-linked investments backed by a portfolio of inflation-linked investments and other fixed-income securities.
Expense Ratio
Last updated 12/31/2023
0.21%
Risk/granting time horizon
Returns
Last updated 12/31/2023
Qtr
-2.18%
1 Yr
—
5 Yrs
—
10 Yrs
—
Underlying funds
Benchmark
Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return
Management
Active funds focus on outperforming the market compared to a specific benchmark through a portfolio manager’s selections. Passive funds seek to mimic benchmarks by tracking an index
active
Goal
Seeks to provide broad commodities exposure and capital appreciation.
Footnotes
- Expense ratios are current as of 06/30/2023.
- Expense ratios are assessed by the Vanguard mutual funds/exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and vary based on allocation; Vanguard Charitable does not itself charge investment fees. While they may be invested in mutual funds or ETFs, the investment options are not themselves mutual funds, nor are they publicly traded. They are not available for investment by any individual or organization apart from Vanguard Charitable. As such, prospectuses only exist for the underlying mutual funds, and not for the Vanguard Charitable investment options.
- Account expense ratios utilize the Institutional Plus or Institutional Select share class of the underlying Vanguard mutual funds where applicable.
- Funds underlying Vanguard Charitable investment options may change without notice so long as the new underlying fund has similar characteristics and goals as the previous underlying fund.
- The underlying fund for the Money Market investment pool has been updated to Vanguard’s Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund, reducing the expense ratio to 0.10% as of October 27, 2022. To learn more, read our investment lineup update.
- Short-Term Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (Short-Term TIPS) benchmark: Bloomberg U.S. 0-5 YearTreasury Inflation Protected Securities Index.
- Total Bond benchmark: Spliced Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index reflects the performance of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index through December 31, 2009; Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index thereafter.
- Total International Bond benchmark: Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index Hedged: Includes government, government agency, corporate, and securitized non-U.S. investment grade fixed-income investments, all issued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and with maturities of more than one year.
- Total Equity benchmark: 55% S&P 500 Index, 15% S&P Completion Index, and 30% Spliced Total International Stock Market Index. Spliced Total International Stock Market Index: Total International Composite Index through August 31, 2006; MSCI EAFE + Emerging Markets Index through December 15, 2010; MSCI ACWI ex US IMI Index through June 2, 2013; and FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index thereafter.
- Total U.S. Stock benchmark: Total U.S. Stock benchmark: Spliced Total Stock Market Index reflects the performance of the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index through April 22, 2005; MSCI US Broad Market Index through June 2, 2013; and CRSP US Total Market Index thereafter.
- S&P 500 benchmark: Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
- Large-Cap Value benchmark: CRSP US Large Cap Value Index.
- Large-Cap Growth benchmark: CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index.
- Total International Stock benchmark: Spliced Total International Stock Market Index reflects the performance of the Total International Composite Index through August 31, 2006; MSCI EAFE + Emerging Markets Index through December 15, 2010; MSCI ACWI ex US IMI Index through June 2, 2013; and FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index thereafter.
- Extended Market benchmark: S&P Completion Index
- Balanced Index benchmark: Balanced Composite Index: Weighted 60% Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index (formerly known as the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index) and 40% Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index through May 31, 2005; 60% MSCI US Broad Market Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index through December 31, 2009; 60% MSCI US Broad Market Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index through January 14, 2013; and 60% CRSP US Total Market Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index thereafter.
- Wellington benchmark: Wellington Composite Index: 65% S&P 500 Index and 35% Lehman U.S. Long Credit AA or Better Bond Index through February 29, 2000; 65% S&P 500 Index and 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Credit A or Better Bond Index thereafter.
- European Stock benchmark: Spliced European Stock Index reflects performance of the MSCI Europe Index through March 26, 2013; FTSE Developed Europe Index through September 30, 2015; and FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index thereafter.
- Pacific Stock benchmark: Spliced Pacific Stock Index reflects performance of the MSCI Pacific Index through March 26, 2013; FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index through September 30, 2015; and FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index thereafter.
- Emerging Markets benchmark: Spliced Emerging Markets Index reflects performance of the Select Emerging Markets Index through August 23, 2006; the MSCI Emerging Markets Index through January 9, 2013; the FTSE Emerging Transition Index through June 27, 2013; the FTSE Emerging Index through November 1, 2015; the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Transition Index through September 18, 2016; and the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index thereafter.
- The potential for risk in Vanguard funds can be categorized in levels from 1 to 5. Learn more in our FAQs.
- Any Portfolio Builders option can be combined with other Portfolio Solutions, Portfolio Builders, and Values-Driven Investment options.
Maintenance fee may be applied
Accounts having a balance below $25,000 may be subject to an annual maintenance fee of $250.
You are eligible for special rates
Our premier clients enjoy reduced pricing to further maximize their impact.
Our representatives are happy to guide you through.