Frequently Asked Questions

The basics

Yes. Once contributed, assets belong to the sponsoring charity and cannot be returned—but donors keep advisory privileges.

Going deeper

Irrevocability is what qualifies the contribution for an immediate tax deduction. Donors can’t reclaim assets but can recommend grants and, in many cases, investment strategies.

How Ren helps

Ren emphasizes transparency and planning. Our team supports donors and advisors in making confident decisions about when and what to contribute, so irrevocability becomes a strategic advantage for tax and legacy planning.

Key details

• Completed gift under IRS rules.
• Donors retain advisory privileges but not legal ownership.
• Successors can continue advisory role.
• Ren provides tools and reporting to align irrevocable contributions with wealth planning.

The basics

Clients contribute assets, receive an immediate charitable deduction, and then recommend grants to nonprofits whenever they choose.

Going deeper

The process is simple:

1. Contribution → Donor gifts cash, securities, or other assets.

2. Tax deduction → Taken immediately in the year of the gift.

3. Investment → Assets may grow tax-free.

4. Grantmaking → Donors recommend grants to IRS-qualified charities over time.

How Ren helps

Ren streamlines every step. Accounts can be opened quickly online, contributions (including complex assets) are handled with expertise, advisors remain involved in asset management, and our Rapid Disbursement Engine ensures grants reach nonprofits quickly and reliably.

Key details

Contributions are irrevocable.

Grants can be recommended in any amount above the sponsor’s minimum.

Advisors integrate DAFs into client wealth strategies.

Multi-generational giving supported through successor designations.

The basics

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account where donors contribute assets, take an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to nonprofits over time.

Going deeper

DAFs are established at a sponsoring organization, which owns and invests the assets. Donors keep advisory privileges to recommend how funds are invested, and which charities receive grants. This flexibility and simplicity have made DAFs the fastest-growing charitable vehicle in the U.S.

How Ren helps

Ren makes DAFs accessible through our Renaissance Charitable Foundation and powers many firm-branded programs at leading institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Edward Jones, and BNY. Every Ren-powered DAF benefits from the same leading technology, deep expertise, and a service team consistently praised by financial advisors for responsiveness and quality.

Key details

• Donors: individuals, families, corporations.
• Contributions: irrevocable but grant recommendations can be made anytime.
• Tax treatment: immediate deduction when contributed—cash deductible up to 60% of AGI; appreciated assets up to 30%.
• Legacy: donors can name advisors/successors.
• Advisor integration: Ren allows wealth managers to stay fully involved in managing client assets.

The basics

Any individual, family, business, or institution can open a DAF through a sponsoring charity.

Going deeper

DAFs are most common among individuals and families, but businesses also use them for corporate philanthropy, and advisors frequently establish them for clients seeking efficient charitable tools.

How Ren helps

Through Renaissance Charitable Foundation and firm-branded programs at leading institutions, Ren serves a broad base: families, corporations, foundations, and advisors. Our platform is especially valued by financial professionals, who rely on Ren to open and manage DAFs seamlessly for their clients.

Key details

• Individuals/families: simplify and centralize giving.
• Corporations: manage structured giving and employee programs.
• Advisors: integrate philanthropy directly into wealth management.
• Institutions: leverage Ren’s infrastructure to offer branded DAF programs.

The basics

Yes—at providers with the right expertise. Ren is among the leaders in accepting and processing complex assets into DAFs.

Going deeper

While many sponsors limit contributions to cash or publicly traded stock, complex gifts can unlock greater impact and tax efficiency. Handling them requires diligence, valuation, and specialized review.

How Ren helps

Ren stands out in this area. We regularly accept restricted stock, private company shares, real estate, and cryptocurrency. Our team and partners provide full support—from structuring and review through liquidation—making complex giving feasible for donors and advisors.

Key details

· Requires legal and tax review.

· Deduction rules vary by asset type.

· Ren’s infrastructure enables safe, efficient processing.

· Advisors often cite this as a key reason they choose Ren.

The basics

Yes. Contributions are deductible immediately at the time of the gift, making DAFs ideal for year-end tax planning or bunching multiple years of giving.

Going deeper

By “bunching” several years’ charitable giving into one tax year, donors can exceed the standard deduction and maximize itemization benefits. Grants can still be made gradually in future years.

How Ren helps

Ren’s fast account setup and service team make year-end contributions seamless—even for complex assets. Advisors frequently leverage Ren to help clients meet tight deadlines while planning for multi-year giving.

Key details

• Deduction timing: year of contribution.
• Bunching often paired with appreciated securities for maximum benefit.
• Ren offers digital tools and responsive service for smooth year-end giving.

The basics

No. Donors do not pay capital gains tax when contributing long-term appreciated securities to a DAF.

Going deeper

This is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. Donors receive a deduction for fair market value and avoid capital gains entirely.

How Ren helps

Ren’s platform and service team streamline the process of contributing securities—whether simple public stock or complex restricted shares—making it easy for advisors to help clients realize tax savings while funding charitable goals.

Key details

• Must be long-term (>1 year).
• Deduction at FMV; no capital gains tax.
• Ren provides electronic transfer tools and back-office support.

The basics

DAFs accept cash, publicly traded securities, and—at leading sponsors like Ren—complex assets such as real estate, private business interests, and crypto.

Going deeper

Cash is straightforward, while appreciated securities are often used to maximize tax efficiency. More advanced donors look to contribute illiquid or alternative assets, which require specialized review and handling.

How Ren helps

Ren is widely recognized for its ability to process complex assets. Alongside cash and securities, we routinely accept restricted stock, private business interests, real estate, and cryptocurrency. Advisors often choose Ren because our team has the expertise and partnerships to unlock giving potential from assets many other providers cannot accept.

Key details

• Cash → deductible up to 60% of AGI
• Publicly traded securities → deductible at FMV up to 30%; no capital gains tax.
• Complex assets → reviewed, valued, and liquidated with Ren’s support.
• Ren’s infrastructure makes complex contributions smoother for donors and advisors.

The basics

Long-term appreciated securities or property contributed to a DAF are deductible at fair market value up to 30% of AGI.

Going deeper

This is a major advantage of DAFs: donors avoid capital gains tax while receiving a full fair market value deduction.

How Ren helps

Ren specializes in handling appreciated property, including complex or illiquid assets. We help maximize tax benefits by ensuring contributions are structured and valued properly, and by managing liquidation where needed.

Key details

• Securities must be held >1 year.
• Deduction at FMV, up to 30% of AGI.
• No capital gains tax on the contributed appreciation.
• Ren’s team works closely with donors/advisors to handle valuation and timing.

The basics

Cash gifts are generally deductible up to 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI), with excess carried forward up to 5 years.

Going deeper

This high deduction limit makes DAFs attractive for donors who want to make significant cash gifts in a given year, especially during high-income events.

How Ren helps

At Ren, we help advisors and donors structure cash contributions strategically—whether to accelerate deductions in a high-income year, or to coordinate with other assets for balanced tax planning. Our tools make reporting and carryforwards simple.

Key details

• Deduction taken immediately upon contribution.
• Contributions above 60% can be carried forward up to 5 years.
• Ren supports year-end planning with digital intake and expert guidance.

The basics

Donors can choose to make grants anonymously or in their name.

Going deeper

Most sponsors allow donors to control recognition, either keeping their identity private or using the DAF’s name.

How Ren helps

Ren gives donors full flexibility in recognition. Advisors report that clients especially value the ability to toggle between anonymous and acknowledged giving based on the situation.

Key details

• Anonymity is optional.
• Records always maintained for IRS compliance.
• Ren’s grant portal makes preference-setting simple.

The basics

Yes. DAFs are often used for rapid response in times of disaster or crisis.

Going deeper

Because funds are already donated and deductible, donors can act immediately without needing to arrange new contributions under time pressure.

How Ren helps

Ren’s Rapid Disbursement Engine makes us a strong choice for disaster response, ensuring grants reach relief organizations quickly when speed matters most.

Key details

• Contributions must be in place before disaster occurs.
• Grants can be recommended instantly.
• Ren provides guidance on reputable relief organizations if requested.

The basics

Yes, though they require additional diligence.

Going deeper

Sponsoring organizations must ensure compliance with IRS rules, often requiring equivalency determination or expenditure responsibility for foreign charities.

How Ren helps

Ren facilitates international granting in compliance with IRS requirements, providing donors and advisors confidence that global gifts are handled correctly.

Key details

• Requires additional review/documentation.
• Options: intermediary U.S. nonprofits or direct equivalency.
• Ren supports both pathways.

The basics

Most providers process grants within days, but Ren’s Rapid Disbursement Engine delivers funds to nonprofits faster than industry norms.

Going deeper

Grant processing speed varies by sponsor, but efficiency matters to both donors and nonprofits.

How Ren helps

Ren consistently earns praise from advisors and nonprofits for the speed and reliability of our grants. Our technology ensures rapid, transparent disbursement—often significantly faster than peers.

Key details

• Most Ren grants are processed and sent within 2–3 business days.
• Options for recurring or scheduled grants.
• Electronic delivery where available.

The basics

Yes—with the right provider. Ren is a leader in supporting advisor-managed DAF assets.

Going deeper

Many providers restrict investment control. Advisor-managed DAFs allow wealth managers to keep charitable assets under their management, ensuring client alignment.

How Ren helps

Ren powers advisor-centric programs at leading firms including Morgan Stanley, Edward Jones, BNY, and many more. Our platform is designed to keep advisors at the center of client relationships while ensuring compliance and efficiency.

Key details

• Minimum thresholds apply.
• Advisors must meet custody and compliance standards.
• Ren provides technology, reporting, and support for advisors.

The basics

Yes. Assets in a DAF grow tax-free, enhancing charitable capacity over time.

Going deeper

Investment earnings are not subject to tax, so more funds are available for grants in the future.

How Ren helps

Ren offers both professionally managed pools and advisor-directed options, ensuring growth potential matches donor and advisor preferences. Tax-free growth, combined with Ren’s investment flexibility, is a key driver of long-term impact.

Key details

• Pools designed for growth, income, or preservation.
• Advisor-directed models allow custom strategies.
• Growth compounds tax-free, increasing charitable capacity

The basics

Assets in a DAF are invested by the sponsoring charity, often in pooled portfolios.

Going deeper

Investment policies vary by provider; some offer standard pools, while others allow customized investment management above certain thresholds.

How Ren helps

Ren is advisor-centric. Financial advisors can manage client DAF assets directly (above threshold levels), maintaining alignment with broader portfolios. Ren also offers diversified pools for donors who prefer simple options.

Key details

• Pools: money market, balanced, equity, fixed income.
• Advisor-managed accounts supported at scale.
• Ren’s open-architecture model offers flexibility.

The basics

Yes. Families often share advisory privileges on a single DAF.

Going deeper

This structure encourages shared philanthropy and makes it easy to involve children or heirs in charitable decision-making.

How Ren helps

Ren supports multi-advisor and multi-successor models. Families often use our platform to create a collaborative giving experience, with clear record-keeping and flexible governance.

Key details

• Advisory roles can be joint or successor-based.
• Donors define privileges at setup.
• Ren’s service team helps customize family structures.

The basics

DAFs are a flexible tool for extending charitable giving across generations.

Going deeper

By naming successors or terminating instructions, donors ensure philanthropic values are carried forward. DAFs can also complement private foundations, trusts, or bequests.

How Ren helps

Ren’s advisor-centric approach makes it easy to integrate DAFs into estate strategies. We offer tools for successor planning, multi-generational engagement, and coordination with other vehicles. Advisors value Ren’s support in aligning legacy planning with client wealth goals.

Key details

• Successor designations: individuals or charities.
• Integration with trusts and foundations.
• Multi-generational planning: Ren facilitates structured transitions.

The basics

Advisory privileges transfer to successors or terminate according to the donor’s instructions.

Going deeper

Donors can name children, family members, or other successors to continue recommending grants. If no successors are named, the sponsoring charity follows the donor’s instructions for distributing remaining assets.

How Ren helps

Ren emphasizes flexibility in legacy planning. We allow donors to name multiple successors, advisors, or charities, ensuring their philanthropic vision continues seamlessly.

Key details

• Successors may continue grantmaking.
• Terminating instructions can designate charities.
• Ren’s planning tools support multi-generational giving.