Unparalleled service. Industry-low fees. Trusted Vanguard investments. These are just a few of the advantages that set Vanguard Charitable apart.
While giving through a donor-advised fund carries its own benefits, working with us means working with an industry leader. Combining the benefits of a donor-advised fund with the industry-leading service of Vanguard Charitable offers you the investment options you trust and the convenience you've come to expect.
With a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund (DAF), your giving goes further.
We develop tools, curate resources, and cultivate partnerships to ensure that you have—at your fingertips—everything you need to reach your charitable goals. Working with Vanguard Charitable is the most tax-advantageous, strategic, and powerful way to give back. Long-term, thoughtful charitable giving with us minimizes your costs and maximizes your charitable impact.
What sets us apart
Lower fees:
- Lower all-in fee ensures your donations make the greatest impact
- Vanguard-backed, at-cost investments
- Tiered fee schedule
- A history of lowering fees over time and passing savings on to you
Flexibility:
- Investments to fit your individual investing style and charitable timeframe,
- Support and options when considering legacy planning
- Optional anonymity when you make a grant
- Easy online account management
Convenience:
- Consolidated charitable giving makes tax time easier
- We take charity due diligence and administrative tasks off your plate
- You have 24/7 access to your account
- Set recurring grant schedules to offer ongoing support
What the Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund (DAF) offers you:
Giving Strategy
You’ll get philanthropic planning resources, insightful thought leadership, and charitable planning guides.
Asset Strategy
We accept a wide array of assets, including appreciated securities, complex assets, and cash gifts.
Investment Strategy
Access a variety of Vanguard-aligned investment options that suit your investment style and giving goals.
Granting Strategy
Our wide-range of granting options gives you flexibility, including single grants, recurring grants, international grants, recoverable grants (with Premier services), and customizable recognition options.
How the Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund works
Low-cost, convenient, and tax-efficient charitable giving. Learn how a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund can support your future philanthropy.
1. Contribute
Donate strategically, benefit greatly
Once you open a DAF and contribute assets, you take an immediate tax deduction. Vanguard Charitable is a 501(c)(3) public charity, so all contributions to your account are considered charitable donations.
2. Invest
Maximize impact, minimize cost
You can recommend how the assets should be invested. We take care of the rest. Since assets are the property of Vanguard Charitable, your account can grow tax-free over time, allowing for greater philanthropic impact.
3. Grant
Support charities you believe in
Find a charity you wish to support and recommend a grant. We will ensure the organization is a qualified 501(c)(3) charity and issue the grant funds to the organization. Supporting your favorite charities is easy.
4. Legacy
Leave a legacy of giving
Giving back can last a lifetime and beyond. Once your account is open and you make a contribution, you can craft a succession plan to establish a legacy of giving.
Our Mission
We believe that the easiest, smartest, and most convenient way to fulfill your philanthropic goals is through a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund, a tax-effective way to consolidate, accrue, and grant your assets to charity.
And we stand by our investment philosophy: Keep all-in fees low without sacrificing investment performance. While your charitable donations have the potential to grow tax-free, industry-low costs help maximize returns for the benefit of your favorite charities.
Our mission is clear: To increase philanthropy and maximize its impact over time. To reach our mission, we must first help you reach yours.