For many, philanthropy is a deeply held personal value. For donors who share a steadfast commitment to supporting their favorite causes and communities, budgeting for their annual charitable gifts is a disciplined practice. But what if there were a way to elevate that commitment and unlock its full potential? 
 

When charitable giving is approached with the same rigor, discipline, and foresight as retirement planning, the capacity for impact expands exponentially. 

Transitioning from transactional giving to strategic philanthropy requires a fundamental shift in perspective. It means moving beyond the question of “how much can I spare today?” to “how can I invest assets to create sustainable, long-term change?” By establishing a dedicated philanthropic account and implementing a tailored investment strategy, donors can significantly amplify their financial support for the causes they value most. 

At the center of this strategic approach is the donor-advised fund (DAF). A DAF serves as a powerful, tax-advantaged vehicle that allows individuals to consolidate their charitable assets, secure immediate tax benefits, and invest those funds for tax-free growth. Plus, for donors who fund a DAF with appreciated assets, like stock or real estate, they can eliminate capital gains taxes while maximizing the amount available for charity. This structure transforms a static charitable donation into a compounding investment. Rather than simply holding funds until they are granted, a DAF puts charitable capital to work in the market, generating additional capacity for future giving.

How can you strengthen your family's legacy 
with Vanguard Charitable?

• Create a lasting charitable legacy 
  A donor-advised fund offers a flexible, tax-free platform for building and sustaining your family’s charitable vision over time. 

• Simplify complex asset donations 
  From privately held business interests to real estate and other non-cash assets, Vanguard Charitable helps simplify complex giving, allowing business owners to maximize their charitable impact while optimizing tax benefits. 

• Plan with purpose and expert guidance
  Purposeful planning connects your family's wealth to your core values and long-term vision. A donor-advised fund serves as a collaborative tool to shape giving strategies that reflect intention, impact, and family unity. 

• Maximize tax efficiency during major transitions 
  Whether your family is planning a business succession, a liquidity event, or an estate transfer, integrating a donor-advised fund into your wealth strategy can help manage risks, reduce tax burdens, and optimize financial outcomes that traditional strategies alone cannot achieve.

Explore additional resources for your family

A successful family business can create significant wealth, and with it, important choices about what that wealth should stand for. The most enduring charitable giving legacies aren’t just financial; they’re defined by shared values, thoughtful stewardship, and a clear sense of purpose. 

Strategic philanthropy offers families a powerful way to unite around what matters most to them; supporting the causes they care about, strengthening family connections, and shaping a powerful giving legacy across generations. 

An interactive experience designed to foster meaningful dialogue with your family 

Join Vanguard Charitable experts, Jodi Rosen and Colleen Cashman, for an intimate, interactive session at the Family Business Legacy 2026 at the University Club of Chicago. 

Through a short, guided exercise and collaborative discussion, “Defining the Purpose of Wealth” invites participants to explore the deeper questions behind legacy. You’ll leave with practical conversation starters you can use with your family to begin defining the purpose of your wealth and the impact you hope to create together. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Why philanthropists choose a Vanguard Charitable DAF

When you open a DAF account, your sponsor manages the administration, making your choice of partner critical. With more than 25 years of experience as a national DAF sponsor and industry-low fees, Vanguard Charitable has helped donors grant billions to organizations across the world. 

Our focus is simple: keep costs low, stewardship strong, and attention where it belongs—on helping you maximize your charitable impact over time.

Charitable deductions are changing this year under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), but your donor-advised fund (DAF) is well-equipped to help you stay anchored to your giving goals and ensure your philanthropy continues to flourish.

Your DAF is a powerful change agent that’s designed to give you flexibility, tax efficiency, and ensure you can keep supporting your favorite nonprofits without interruption.

One way to leverage your DAF effectively

Under OBBBA, recommending smaller gifts may be less tax-efficient for high-net-worth donors. That’s because itemized charitable deductions now include a 0.5% AGI floor, wherein the first 0.5% of your adjusted gross income in charitable. 

One approach to consider as you navigate this change is “bundling”—contributing multiple years of giving in a single tax year. This strategy may help you exceed the standard deduction, potentially reduce taxes, and simplify your giving, particularly during a high-income year.

Make a Contribution

With thoughtful planning now, you can amplify your giving and capture valuable tax savings.

If you’re ready to contribute, great! Donating assets can be done in 3 simple steps.