Amplify Your Impact through a Donor Advised Fund

Deb and Keith Porter know the importance of giving back, and they have chosen to do so with a Donor Advised Fund through the Community Foundation. The fund gives them the flexibility to give to the causes they care most about in a timely, thoughtful fashion.

Keith and Deb Porter

"A Donor Advised Fund links our charitable giving to the investment power and friendly services of the Community Foundation,” said Deb and Keith.

At the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, we believe giving should be as meaningful and personal as the causes you support. A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) offers a simple, tax-efficient way to simplify your giving while creating lasting impact in our community and beyond.

What is a Donor Advised Fund?

A DAF is a charitable investment account. You make a tax-deductible gift to the Community Foundation, and from there, recommend grants to support the causes and nonprofits you care about—locally or nationally—on your own timeline.

Benefits of Opening a Donor Advised Fund:

1. Simplify Your Giving A DAF lets you make one charitable gift, then recommend grants to the nonprofits you care about on your own schedule. At your direction, the Community Foundation manages the grantmaking process and distributes funds to your chosen charities.

2. Maximize Tax Advantages Because the Community Foundation is a 501c3 public charity, contributions to your DAF qualify for an immediate tax deduction. You may also benefit from donating appreciated securities, real estate, or other complex assets. Many donors also use a bundling strategy, combining several years of planned charitable giving into one tax year. This allows you to exceed the standard deduction and maximize tax benefits, while still spreading out grants to nonprofits over time.

3. Keep Costs Low—While Giving Back Locally Our funds are designed to be cost-effective, with low administrative fees. Unlike commercial brokerage-based funds, these fees stay right here in Muscatine County, supporting the Community Foundation’s mission and strengthening our community rather than flowing out of it.

4. Grow Your Philanthropic Capacity Your fund is invested for growth in one of our professionally managed investment pools, creating more resources over time for the causes you love. This means your generosity has the potential to expand and benefit future needs.

5. Support Causes Locally and Beyond Whether your heart is in Muscatine County or across the globe, your DAF gives you the freedom to recommend grants to any qualified nonprofit, church, school, hospital, and more. Many donors also appreciate the Community Foundation’s expertise in identifying local opportunities and urgent needs.

6. Involve Your Family A DAF provides a powerful tool to engage, if you choose, the next generation in philanthropy. Families often use their funds to teach values of generosity, work together to recommend grants, and build a legacy of giving.

7. Partner with Trusted Local Experts When you open a fund with the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, you’re gaining a partner in philanthropy. Our team offers guidance on effective giving strategies, deep local knowledge, and administrative support so you can focus on what matters most: making a difference.

Why Choose the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine? We combine national-level philanthropic tools with a personal approach. Our community expertise, stewardship, and commitment to long-term impact make us a trusted partner for thousands of local donors.

Ready to Get Even Greater Impact Out of Your Charitable Dollars? Contact Sarah Schoer, Manager of Philanthropy, at sschoer@givinggreater.org or 563-264-3863 to explore how we can help you simplify your giving, maximize your impact, and build your legacy.