Donor-Advised Funds Are All the Rage in Charitable Giving

The video discusses the rise of donor advised funds (DAFs) in philanthropy, highlighting their popularity and the role of financial institutions like Fidelity and Schwab. It explains how DAFs bypass regulations imposed on private foundations, offering tax benefits without payout obligations. Behavioral economics influences donor behavior, often leading to funds remaining unspent. Financial advisors benefit from management fees, promoting DAFs over direct donations. The video concludes with potential regulatory scrutiny due to the significant tax advantages and lack of transparency in DAFs.

What are donor advised funds and why have they become popular in philanthropy?

How did the regulations imposed by Congress in 1969 affect private foundations?

What are some reasons that money in donor advised funds tends to stay there rather than being distributed to charities?

In what ways do financial advisors influence charitable giving through donor advised funds?

What concerns have been raised regarding the transparency of donor advised funds?

How might regulatory scrutiny of donor advised funds change in the future?

What impact did the Tax Act have on donor advised fund contributions?