Looking for a Unique Graduation Gift?
What’s hot when it comes to gifts for the graduate? You guessed it. Once again, the ever-popular, flexible, and tax-effective Donor Advised Fund carries the day. More and more parents and grandparents across the country are giving a graduating child or grandchild a Donor Advised Fund, pre-established and pre-funded, in the name of the graduate.
Donor Advised Funds as gifts to the next generation are on the rise at community foundations around the country. CFGV invites our supporters to consider ‘gift funds’ as a way to engage their own family members in philanthropic values. Jessica Wurtz, CFGV’s Director of Philanthropy, will help the donor create the fund, including online access, so that the donor can literally ‘put a bow’ on the fund-establishing document and roll it up like a diploma. The donor adds a card with our website and login credentials and presents it to the child or grandchild as a gift. Both giver and receiver love the experience.
What’s more, the Donor Advised Fund is a gift that keeps giving. “Many families consider regular communication to be a key part of the online philanthropy experience,” commented Jessica. “This way, the family’s values stay intact across generations.” Keeping in touch online is key. Families are becoming increasingly reliant on the Donor Advised Fund dialogue to share stories about the joy of giving based on personal experience. Some families even share a list of favorite charities that have meant the most to the family over the years. “Telling stories and sharing experiences is itself a gift,” added Jessica, “because what our donors’ families want more than anything is positive communication among family members, especially as children grow up, graduate, and move away.”
Family communication is always a plus, and communication across the generations is even richer when it’s focused on a topic like philanthropy. Intergenerational dialogue is a major advantage of selecting a Donor Advised Fund to anchor a family’s emotional connections. Hats off to this year’s graduates!
If you would like to establish a new Donor Advised Fund as a graduation gift this year, please contact Jessica.
Simplified Summary
A popular gift for graduates is a Donor Advised Fund. This is a special account that lets people give money to charities. Many parents and grandparents are setting up these funds in their graduate’s name.
These funds are becoming more popular at community foundations. CFGV helps donors set up these funds with online access. Then the donor can wrap up the fund information like a diploma and give it to the graduate. Both the giver and receiver enjoy this gift.
The Donor Advised Fund helps families keep talking to each other about giving. Many families use online tools to share stories about helping others. Some families even share lists of their favorite charities. This sharing brings families closer together, especially as children grow up and move away.
Family communication across different ages is valuable. If you want to set up a Donor Advised Fund as a graduation gift, you can contact Jessica at CFGV.
