What is a Horizons Donor-Advised Fund?
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving vehicle similar to a "checking account" for charity - to which an individual, couple, or family, makes an irrevocable contribution of personal assets to Horizons Foundation, and at any time thereafter can recommend grant distributions to charitable organizations. Since your donations are consolidated into one account, you can easily track what was donated, when and to whom - managing your philanthropy in a better, smarter way.

Log-In
For secure access to your Horizons Foundation Donor Advised Fund. Your account balance and activity are available in summary form, and you can check the status of all contributions to your account and grants recommended from it. Click here for Account Access and Log-in.

Establish and Open a Fund
Not yet an account holder with the Horizons Donor-Advised Fund Program? Open a new account.

Download the Forms

• Donor-Advised Fund Program Guide PDF
• Donor Contribution Agreement/Application PDF
• Advance Advisor Recommendation Form PDF
• Grant Recommendation Form PDF

Flexible Charitable Giving Vehicle
You make irrevocable charitable contributions of cash or appreciated securities to the Horizons Donor-Advised Fund Program now and recommend grants to charity now or later.

Immediate Tax Benefits
You receive an immediate dollar-for-dollar charitable federal income tax deduction for the full fair market value, up to the maximum allowed by law, for contributions to a donor-advised fund at Horizons Foundation, a tax-exempt public nonprofit, and contributions of appreciated assets are not subject to capital gains tax.

Grant Recommendations
While the tax deduction is taken immediately, you may recommend grants to your favorite charitable organizations throughout the life of your fund. This can be done easily through an online, password-protected page on Horizons' website or by filling out a simple form.

Specialized Grantmaking Advice
Horizons Foundation staff can provide important expertise and up-to-date information about LGBT and other types of organizations in the Bay Area, nationally, and internationally. Horizons can provide a limited amount of research and docket preparation for you upon request, and assist in creating an individual strategic giving plan aligned with your values and interests. Horizons also maintains a searchable database of information about LGBT organizations for donors to use on their own.

Investment Options
The Horizons Donor-Advised Fund Program provides you the opportunity to recommend the investment of your charitable contribution. The Fund offers donors several investment strategies to choose from, all monitored and evaluated by the Investment Committee of Horizons Foundation.

Enhanced Giving Power
Any potential growth in assets within a Horizons Donor-Advised Fund Program fund is tax-free, offering the potential for greater charitable grants in the future.

LGBT Giving Community
By opening a fund at Horizons Foundation, you automatically become part of a community of givers who are seriously committed to supporting the LGBT community and other causes. Horizons sponsors events and provides other opportunities for donor advisors to share experiences, leverage funding, and learn about work being done in specific areas of interest.

Legacy Giving
You may share the value of giving to your community and establish a charitable legacy by recommending grants to be made from your donor-advised fund at the time of your death. You may add to or change these recommendations at any time without amending your estate plan. You may also choose to name successor advisors to the fund, which allows you the opportunity to include a partner, family members, or friends in building a philanthropic plan for giving, both before and after your death.

Simplicity
Donors enjoy simple, comprehensive administration of their philanthropic planning. A single contribution to the Horizons Donor-Advised Fund Program can benefit multiple nonprofits while requiring only one tax substantiation letter and no check-writing on your part.

We Charge No Fees
If you choose to become a member of Horizons Foundation's Leadership Circle ($1,000+ annual gift to Horizons general operating) and that gift is greater than 1% of your fund balance, we will waive our charitable administration fee.

All Donor-Advised Forms

• Donor-Advised Fund Program Guide PDF
• Donor Contribution Agreement/Application PDF
• Advance Advisor Recommendation Form PDF
• Grant Recommendation Form PDF
• Investment Options PDF
• Additional Contribution Agreement PDF
• Information Change Request PDF
• Information for Professional Advisors PDF
• Instructions for Stock and Wire Transfers to Donor-Advised Funds PDF