Opening a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at the Telluride Foundation allows you to make a gift now, for distribution now, or sometime in the future. DAF’s are convenient, flexible tools for individuals, families, businesses, or groups that want to be personally involved in suggesting grant awards made possible by their gifts. If you have a range of community interests, you may find that it’s an ideal vehicle for fulfilling your charitable wishes. DAFs are typically less costly and easier to administer than other forms of philanthropic giving (such as family or corporate foundations).

How It Works

• • You make a gift to the Telluride Foundation — you may give cash, appreciated stocks, real estate, or other assets.
  • We set up a special fund here at the Foundation in your name, in the name of your family or business, or in honor of any person or organization you choose.
  • You receive tax benefits in the year your gift is made and your DAF is established.
  • Your gift is placed into an account that is invested over time. Depending on your charitable goals, your gift can be placed in a short-term (cash), mid-term or long-term investment.
  • Market gains (and/or losses) are reflected in your quarterly DAF investment statement.
  • You may then recommend uses for the fund and/or work with our professional program staff who is here to help you support the causes and organizations you care about most.
  • Once you decide the gifts you would like distributed from your DAF, these funding recommendations are presented to the Telluride Foundation’s board for approval.
  • We handle all the administrative details and issue grants to charities in the name of the fund you establish (if you prefer, grants may be made anonymously).
  • A minimum contribution of $50,000 is required to establish a Donor Advised Fund.
  • A 2% annual fee is paid to the Foundation to administer your DAF.

Your gift can be combined with others to increase its impact, and you can add to the fund you establish at any time, receiving tax benefits with each new gift. You can establish a fund today and make grant recommendations now or in the future; and if you endow your gift, it becomes a permanent community funding  resource.

A Personal Connection

When Alex Dorado retired, he wanted a way to give more to his community.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and now that I have more time and resources, I can give back to a number of causes and organizations that are very special to me,” he says. Alex and his financial advisor met with their community foundation to discuss ways Alex might increase the impact of his giving and gain maximum tax advantage. Alex chose to establish a Donor Advised Fund in his family’s name. He now meets with the community foundation’s professional program staff to recommend grants in the areas he cares about most. “Last year, based on my recommendations, the fund bought uniforms for an after-school sports league and supported an adult literacy program,” reports Alex. “This is a great way to stay involved and use what I have to make a difference in the community I love.”

Additional Information: A Donor may name one generation of successor advisor(s) to a DAF  fund at the Telluride Foundation, after which, the asset reverts to unrestricted funds of the Telluride Foundation.

Any DAF contribution, represents an irrevocable contribution and is not refundable. The Telluride Foundation maintains variance power over the fund. Grants from the fund may not provide substantial benefit to the donor, advisor or family member, including fulfilling pledges. No distribution may be made to a private non-operating foundation. A minimum of five percent (5%) of the fund net asset value is required to be distributed each year. Principal and interest of the fund can be distributed. The minimum grant size is $250.00. It is recommended that to maximize the interest returns on the asset that grants be planned for distribution on a quarterly basis.