AMDG Financial Announces Tips for Choosing the Right Donor-Advised Fund
Plymouth, MI (PRWEB) August 05, 2015 -- While millions donate to their favorite charities directly each year, a growing number of philanthropic-minded people are discovering donor-advised funds as an effective way to benefit charities and themselves. Donor-advised funds enable benefactors to set up and fund their accounts by making irrevocable, tax-deductible contributions to a charitable sponsor, and then recommend grants from the fund over time. But choosing a fund provider can be tricky, says Wayne Titus, CPA, PFS, AIFA®, founding member of AMDG Financial. “In the same way that other investments have hidden fees, donor-advised funds also can have fees that prevent donors from maximizing their charitable impact.”
People interested in using donor-advised funds should examine a variety of factors before contributing, says Titus. “For example,” he says, “some funds have minimum contributions and grant sizes. Others may limit the type of assets they accept, such as stocks or mutual-fund shares, and still others may restrict the types of funds in which donors can grow their charitable-giving nest eggs.”
Titus recommends that those interested in donor-advised funds set their own criteria with the help of an adviser, and then create a series of questions to help determine the best provider for their needs. “Donors should consider things like the type of assets they can donate, options to invest those assets, administration and other fees, account minimums and grant sizes,” he says.
While donor-advised funds offer many benefits, including an immediate tax benefit, some family stewards may ultimately prefer to set up a private foundation, which provides them with the ability to control every aspect of their charitable giving. “The choices are numerous, so it’s important to conduct the proper due diligence,” says Titus. Asking the right questions, he adds, can ensure a win-win for both the donor and the charity.
About AMDG Financial
AMDG Financial (http://www.amdgservices.com) is a fee-only fiduciary registered investment adviser (RIA) in Plymouth, Michigan. The firm manages approximately $90 million in assets for clients. AMDG Financial was one of the first 10 firms globally to be certified by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (http://www.cefex.org/advisor) as following global best practices for investment adviser fiduciaries. The company’s credo is, “From financial wisdom, better stewardship.”
Wayne B. Titus lll, AMDG Financial, http://www.amdgservices.com, +1 (734) 737-0866, [email protected]
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