Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)—making an impact at Wheaton

DAFs are growing in popularity as a smart way to give current and planned gifts to Wheaton. What can a DAF do for you?

When Linda Zug ’69 discovered she could increase her Wheaton giving through her DAF, she didn’t hesitate—she was thrilled to give back to the college that had given her so much.

Like Linda, many generous members of the Wheaton community have learned that giving through a DAF is effortless, joyful and one of the easiest and rewarding ways to strengthen Wheaton as a leading liberal arts institution.

This joy of giving is part of a much larger trend. According to the Fidelity Charitable 2025 Giving Report, donors are increasingly turning to DAFs to fund their philanthropic giving. The total number of Fidelity DAFs has surged from around 80,000 in 2015 to over 217,000 in 2024—an increase of 171%!

Donors at Wheaton and across the country are discovering how DAFs allow them to see the impact of their giving now while ensuring their support continues for generations—and you can too.

What is a DAF?

A DAF is a flexible charitable account that allows you to support the nonprofits and causes important to you.

5 benefits of establishing your DAF

  1. Tax Advantages: Receive an immediate deduction, avoid excise taxes and enjoy tax-free investment growth.
  2. Flexibility: Support any qualified public charity, one or many, on your own schedule or through recurring gifts.
  3. Simplicity: Enjoy the ease of a DAF, with lower costs and far less administration than a private foundation.
  4. Strategic Giving: Consolidate several years’ worth of charitable contributions into one year to maximize your tax deduction.
  5. Meaningful impact: Experience the joy of giving. Recommend grants to Wheaton and the causes you love, knowing each gift helps create meaningful change.

Turn your generosity into action with a DAF

  1. Use cash, stock or other assets to create your DAF at a sponsoring organization (e.g., Fidelity Charitable or National Philanthropic Trust).
  2. Once the fund is established, you can recommend grants to Wheaton or other qualified charitable organizations at your discretion.
  3. The funds in your DAF are invested and grow tax-free.
  4. Support Wheaton in the future—your DAF succession or beneficiary options*:
    • Name a successor advisor(s)
      • This could be one or more of your children, other family members or trusted individuals.
      • They will continue recommending charitable grants from your DAF, keeping your philanthropic intent alive at Wheaton and your other favorite qualifying charities.
    • Name one or more charitable organizations to receive the remaining balance
      • You can instruct that your remaining funds go directly to a specific charity or charities—like Wheaton.

* If you do not name a successor or beneficiary, your DAF may become an “orphaned donor-advised fund” of your sponsoring organization (e.g., Fidelity Charitable or National Philanthropic Trust) and become an unrestricted asset. Then your DAF organization will decide which charitable causes will receive your funds.

Learn more about DAFs on our planned giving website. Or contact the Office of Planned Giving.

Note: Wheaton does not provide legal or tax advice, and the information provided is general in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult with an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.