Donor-Advised Funds
Over 40 funds made over $11M in grants.
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are a vehicle for giving that allow donors an immediate tax deduction—without any payout requirements. In other words, people with wealth can “park” money in DAFs for many years, receiving benefits without actually distributing funds. An estimated $200+ Billion is currently tied up in donor-advised funds across the country.
But for donors with funds in DAFs at North Star Fund, the story is completely different. Donors turn to us for DAFs because in certain situations they need the flexibility—and want to give in community. North Star Fund donors commit to making grants with their funds within three years.
Although DAF holders at North Star Fund are not required to fund organizations chosen by our activist committees, many do. All the DAF grants, made in partnership with Amalgamated Charitable Foundation, pass through their “Hate is Not Charitable” program, ensuring that we avoid funding organizations identified as hate groups. Additionally, North Star Fund is in the minority of philanthropic institutions that support legislation to require DAFs everywhere to be more effective.
In this fiscal year, over 40 funds made over $11 million in grants, ranging from $1,000 to $360,000. The full list of funds and over 600 grants is below.
“I came to North Star Fund looking to connect to the grassroots issues that emerge over time—from immigrant rights to Hurricane Sandy to land use.”