Donor-Advised Fund

A donor advised fund for the Church and its institutions is administered by the Deseret Trust Company. You sign appropriate documents and then transfer cash or marketable securities to Deseret Trust Company. Each year, you and those family members you select advise Deseret Trust Company as to those charitable causes that you wish to receive income and any principal you desire to give. Your decisions may differ from year to year. You should be sure your financial and legal advisors are part of your gift strategy team. Use of a donor-advised fund is only effective as a part of an overall financial and estate plan. The professional staff at Philanthropies, a department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can assist you and your advisors in participating in the donor-advised fund.

There are many advantages of a donor-advised fund:

• Flexibility in timing and where you give: you can make a gift to the Deseret Trust Company donor-advised fund and take an immediate charitable income tax deduction; you can choose later those charities that should receive gift distributions and how much they will receive.
• Tax benefits: tax benefits are more favorable than those available by using a private foundation.
• Less complex: you are not required to file separate tax returns or accountings; donor-advised funds are not subject to private foundation rules.

There are also some disadvantages of a donor-advised fund:

• Limited control: you do not enjoy the same control as you would with a private foundation.
• Reduced charitable emphasis: some for-profit institutions that offer donor-advised funds may care more about management of the assets than the gifts created.

Contributions to a donor-advised fund may be tax deductible, depending on your individual tax situation and subject to applicable IRS rules. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your circumstances. The deadlines below are provided to help ensure your contributions are processed by Deseret Trust Company before year-end. Please consult your own legal and tax advisors regarding your specific situation.


Reminder: charitable tax deductions are generally available when contributions are made to a fund, not when grants are distributed from a fund.

• Online Check, Credit, and Debit Card Contributions
  Online contributions must be completed by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2026. We recommend initiating transactions by December 26.
• Checks Sent by U.S. Mail
  Contributions sent through the U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked by December 31, 2026. We recommend having the envelope hand-postmarked at a post office.
• Wire Transfers and ACH Contributions
  Funds must be received by Deseret Trust Company no later than the close of business on December 31, 2026. We recommend initiating transfers with your financial institution by December 26.
• Publicly Traded Securities (other than Mutual Funds)
  Securities must be received by December 31, 2026. We recommend initiating transfers with your broker before December 15.
• Mutual Funds
  Please contact Deseret Trust Company before initiating a gift. Mutual fund shares must be received before December 15. Processing times may take up to six weeks. We recommend initiating transfers with your broker before November 15.
• Business Interests and Other Non-Cash Assets
  Inquiries regarding gifts of closely held business interests or other non-cash assets must be submitted by December 1, 2026, to allow adequate time for review and acceptance.