Donor-Advised Funds have become a cornerstone of modern philanthropy, offering individuals and families a streamlined approach to charitable giving with significant tax advantages. Among the prominent Donor-Advised Fund providers are UI Charitable, Fidelity Charitable, and DAFGiving360 (Schwab Charitable). Each offers unique features tailored to diverse donor needs.
UI Charitable
UI Charitable is the nonprofit that sponsors the most flexible Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) in the industry—one with no minimum contribution or grant requirements. The UI Charitable DAF accepts nearly any asset type, including cash, marketable securities, real estate, private business interests, alternative assets, and cryptocurrency. Donors’ financial advisors can continue managing donor-advised fund assets at their preferred custodian. In addition to traditional grantmaking, UI Charitable donors can deploy recoverable grants, credit guarantees, loans, and equity investments both domestically and internationally, amplifying their philanthropic reach. Administration fees start at 0.6% for up to $500,000, after which the fee is tiered comparably to Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable.
Fidelity Charitable
Fidelity Charitable is one of the largest Donor-Advised Fund sponsors in the United States. Notably, Fidelity recently eliminated minimum initial contribution requirements, enabling donors to establish a Donor-Advised Fund with any amount. The administrative fees are also structured at 0.6% for accounts up to $500,000, with tiered reductions for larger balances. Donors can select from a variety of investment options to grow their contributions tax-free and have the flexibility to recommend grants to qualified charitable organizations at their discretion.
DAFGiving 360 (Schwab Charitable)
Schwab Charitable is another leading Donor-Advised Fund provider, offering services comparable to Fidelity Charitable. It also allows donors to open a Donor-Advised Fund with no minimum initial contribution, making it accessible to a broad donor base. The fee structure mirrors that of Fidelity, with a 0.6% administrative fee for accounts up to $500,000 and decreasing rates for higher account balances. Schwab provides a range of investment pools and the option for accounts over $100,000 to recommend an investment advisor for personalized investment management. Donors can recommend grants to IRS-qualified public charities, with a minimum grant amount of $50.
Donor-Advised Fund Host Comparison Table
Feature | UI Charitable | Fidelity Charitable | DAFGiving 360 |
Minimum Contribution | None | None | None |
Administrative Fees | 0.6% up to $500K (tiered reductions) | 0.6% up to $500K (tiered reductions) | 0.6% up to $500K (tiered reductions) |
Asset Acceptance | Cash, securities, real estate, private business, alternatives, crypto, virtually any complex asset | Primarily cash & securities | Primarily cash & securities |
Investment Management | The donor themselves, or their own advisor can manage assets regardless of custodian | Fidelity-managed pools only | Pools; advisor option for accounts >$100K |
Grant Flexibility | Nonprofits, international, for-profits, impact tools (grants, loans, equity, guarantees) | Generally IRS-qualified nonprofits only | Generally IRS-qualified nonprofits only |
Minimum Grant Size | None | $50 | $50 |
UI Charitable offers one of the most flexible Donor-Advised Funds, giving donors the freedom to contribute essentially any type of asset, choose how their money is managed, and decide how it is given to recipients.
Comparison Highlights
Minimum Initial Contribution: Both Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable have removed minimum initial contribution requirements, enhancing accessibility for donors. UI Charitable does not have a minimum contribution requirement either, suggesting a tailored approach based on individual donor circumstances.
Administrative Fees: UI Charitable, Fidelity, and Schwab all charge a 0.6% administrative fee for accounts up to $500,000, with tiered reductions for larger accounts.
Investment Options: Fidelity and Schwab offer a variety of investment pools, with Schwab providing the option for larger accounts to recommend an investment advisor. UI Charitable permits any investment advisor to continue to manage the account, aligning a client’s investments with philanthropic goals.
Grant Flexibility: UI Charitable distinguishes itself by enabling grants to a diverse range of organizations, including international and for-profit entities, and offering various funding mechanisms beyond traditional grants. Fidelity and Schwab primarily facilitate grants to IRS-qualified public charities, adhering to standard philanthropic practices.
Why Donors and Advisors Choose UI Charitable as the Best Donor-Advised Fund
Any Custodian: UI Charitable Donors can house their funds with any major custodian, including Fidelity and Schwab.
Broader giving tools: Go beyond traditional grants with recoverable grants, credit guarantees, loans, or equity investments — both domestically and internationally.
Expanded assets accepted: Cash and securities, yes — but also real estate, private business interests, alternatives, and cryptocurrency.
Advisor-managed funds: Any trusted advisor of choice can continue managing investments, fully aligned with donor values.
No barriers to entry: No minimum contribution. No grant requirements.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Donor-Advised Fund depends on a donor’s goals, flexibility needs, and investment preferences. UI Charitable is ideal for those seeking a straightforward platform that accepts the broadest range of assets, enables the most impact investing options, and supports more diverse social initiatives. Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable are strong options for traditional contributions and grantmaking but offer less flexibility in accepted assets, fund management, and disbursement options. Donors should select the Donor-Advised Fund that best aligns with their philanthropic strategy in consultation with their financial advisor.
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