Vanguard Charitable Lowers Donor-Advised Fund Fees Again

Effective October 1, 2026, Vanguard Charitable is reducing administrative fees for donor-advised fund (DAF) accounts with assets between $1 million and $15 million. Through the end of next year, these lower fees are projected to make an additional $1 million available for donors to grant to charity. In alignment with Vanguard's low-cost philosophy and a continued commitment to lowering the cost of giving, Vanguard Charitable remains dedicated to maximizing the dollars that reach charity.

How did the fees change?
 

All other fee percentages, balance tier structures, and calculation logic remain unchanged. 
 
 

Why is Vanguard Charitable relentless in its pursuit of lower fees?

Lower fees translate to more dollars for charitable giving. The less a donor spends on fees and expenses, the more is available to directly support the causes that matter most to them. This reduction, the fourth in the past eight years, reflects our ongoing commitment to lowering the cost of giving through donor-advised funds, helping donors better achieve your philanthropic goals.
 

What does the administrative fee provide? 

The administrative fee provides access to knowledgeable staff, in-depth due diligence, advanced research tools, the Candid Nonprofit Directory, and the online account portal for all DAF account activities. Vanguard Charitable is always looking for ways to optimize and increase efficiency in these types of services, and is proud to have made significant reductions in administrative fees over the past few years.