As an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor, you have likely noticed the surge in coverage around donor-advised funds (DAFs). And for good reason – these vehicles help clients achieve both financial efficiency and philanthropic impact.
What many advisors may not realize, however, is that a DAF at the San Antonio Area Foundation is not just a standalone giving tool – it can serve as the flexible foundation of a client’s entire charitable giving strategy.
Organize Annual Giving
A DAF provides a centralized hub for charitable giving, ideal for clients who give to multiple organizations each year. Clients can contribute cash, appreciated stock, or other assets and then recommend grants to charities over time.
With the new floor and cap on charitable deductions set to take effect next year, 2025 presents a key window for “bunching” multiple years of charitable gifts into one. This strategy maximizes tax benefits now while creating a reserve of philanthropic capital for future giving.
Access a Full Suite of Giving Tools
A DAF is often just the beginning. Through the Area Foundation, clients gain access to a range of charitable vehicles and services to match their unique goals, including:
Philanthropic Advising – You have a team of local experts under one roof to provide philanthropic advice and support.
Community Connection – Gain access to a network of like-minded donors. Receive Giving Guides, special event invitations and witness the impact firsthand.
Family Philanthropy Support – Area Foundation has staff members certified in family philanthropy and working with multi-generational legacy planning.
Fund Options beyond a DAF
Designated Funds – Provide long-term support to specific nonprofits.
Field-of-Interest Funds – Target causes that matter most, like education, health, or the arts.
Enhance Community Impact
The Area Foundation’s deep local knowledge helps clients turn generosity into measurable results. Our team connects donors with community needs and trusted nonprofit partners, helping them see and understand the difference their gifts make.
Integrate with Retirement and Legacy Planning
IRA Giving: Clients aged 70½ or older can direct Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)up to $108,000 per taxpayer in 2025, from IRAs to a designated, field-of-interest, or unrestricted fund, bypassing taxable income.
Legacy Planning: The Area Foundation helps clients extend their charitable vision through bequests, trusts, or beneficiary designations. These legacy gifts ensure ongoing support for the causes they care about most, guided by our long-term stewardship.
The Bottom Line
Partnering with the Area Foundation allows your client’s DAF to function as more than a tax-efficient giving account – it becomes the cornerstone of a comprehensive, flexible charitable portfolio, designed to adapt through changing tax environments and community priorities.
Together, we can help your clients give strategically, efficiently, and meaningfully. Reach out to us and let’s talk: David Simmons, Area Foundation Wealth Advisor Relations Manager, dsimmons@saafdn.org or (210) 570-1492.
