Establishing a Fund at Brooklyn Community Foundation

The Freedom to Give Anywhere, While Your Money Gives Back to Brooklyn


Brooklyn Community Foundation is the go-to Donor Advised Fund (DAF) provider for clients who want to leverage their charitable giving to spark long-term change in their communities. 

Our DAFs provide a powerful, tax-efficient vehicle to maximize your impact. You have the flexibility to give wherever you want, at your own pace, while giving back to the place you call home. Plus, our investment options offer the potential to grow your fund, tax free. 

If you already have a DAF, you can transfer it to Brooklyn Community Foundation, where unlike commercial DAF providers, our 1% management fee supports grants to nonprofits working for racial justice in Brooklyn 

Fund holders rely on our local expertise. Whether you are a steadfast donor to a few organizations or you want to discover new nonprofits, you’ll find that our grantmaking history and strong community relationships are essential resources for giving in Brooklyn.

Since 2009, we have partnered with donors to give over $75 million to nonprofits—offering tax smart tools, streamlined administration, and expert advice to help their giving go even farther in Brooklyn and beyond.

GET STARTED TODAY AT https://bcf.donorfirstx.com/

Individuals, families, or corporations can open a Fund with a $5,000 minimum initial contribution. Once approved, your Fund will be set up within a week. You will receive an immediate tax-deduction and can start recommending grants of $250 or more to any vetted domestic nonprofit. Complete this online form to get started.

 

Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund

A Donor Advised Fund is a charitable investment account through which your assets have the potential to grow tax-free. Created with a single tax-deductible donation of cash or stock, you can name your fund and give at your own pace—we manage the rest. 

Your Fund Enables You to:

  • Support Organizations You Care About: Your Fund is the most efficient way to support any domestic 501c3 nonprofit, allowing you to do all of your giving through one simple channel.

  • Spark Change for Brooklyn: Your Fund supports our mission for a fair and just Brooklyn. Starting at 1%, annual fees go directly back to Brooklyn’s communities through our strategic grantmaking for racial justice.

  • Increase Your Impact: Our staff of experts can send you customized research on high-impact Brooklyn nonprofits that fit your interests as well as guidance on local issues and effective philanthropic strategies.

  • Optimize Your Tax Benefits: Take an immediate deduction for up to 60% of your Adjusted Gross Income on cash gifts, or up to 30% for gifts of appreciated securities. You may also avoid capital gains by making a gift of appreciated securities. Deductions may be taken all in one year or carried over for up to five years.

  • Establish a Family Legacy: Your Fund allows you to build a powerful legacy that can be shared with your spouse or partner and passed down to your children and grandchildren.

We Offer Multiple Fund Options:

The Brooklyn Advantage

Through our full-service, boutique approach, we offer:

  • Guidance on local issues and effective philanthropic strategies
  • Customized research on nonprofits that match your interests
  • Exclusive events with local leaders and experts on issues in our communities 
  • A modest 1% administrative fee that directly supports grantmaking for racial justice across Brooklyn

We can also help you with planned giving and bequests to leave a philanthropic legacy in Brooklyn and support your community far into the future.

Anti-Hate Policy

We conduct careful due diligence on all of our grantmaking and will not make grants to organizations that support or promote hate, racism, or violence, or that engage in activities that are in opposition to the dignity and equality of all persons. The Foundation relies on data cross-checked from various sources to determine if a nonprofit falls into one of these categories, and all grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion.

Get Started Today:

Establishing a Fund is easy and can be set up in less than a week. Complete this online form to get started.

Contact us to learn more:

Melissa Pawlak, Donor Services Manager
T: 718.480.7516
​E: donorservices@brooklyncommunityfoundation.org