How client fees work
Foundation Source offers a modern DAF capability with low client fees.
With a Foundation Source DAF, you can choose between two DAF account types for each of your clients:
Cash (default): The balance of this donor-advised fund account is held in cash, but is free to use. This is recommended for pass-through grantmaking.
The default state of a new client DAF account is Cash. For private foundation clients looking to use a DAF as a complementary grantmaking tool, this is likely the best fit.
If your client is looking to invest their balance, you are able to edit your client's investment allocation, which will automatically enroll them in an Invested account.
When to consider an Invested account
The Invested account is a great option for Foundation Source DAF clients who wish to maintain a balance in their DAF account over time prior to grantmaking. The benefits include:
Donate now, decide later approach to philanthropy, so clients can enjoy tax-smart giving practices, such as the bunching strategy and appreciated asset contributions.
Tax-free growth on client giving account balances, to enable them to give more over time.
Client fee overview
Here is a breakdown of the fee structure for each account type:
Investment status
None
Invested in prepopulated Foundation Source DAF portfolios
Built-in investment fund-level fees
None
0.05% to 0.11%
Account opening fee
$0
$0
Account maintenance fee
$0
$0
Contribution fee (via linked bank account)
$0
$0
Grant fee
$0
$0
Minimum initial contribution
$0
$0
Minimum balance requirement
$0
$0
Minimum contribution, grant, or gift amount
$15
$15
Here is an example of Invested account admin fees at various balance levels:
$2,500
$100
$10,000
$100
$100,000
$600
$250,000
$1,500
$500,000
$3,000
$1,000,000
$3,000
*The admin fee starts at 60bps (with a minimum fee of $100/year) and blends down at higher balances.
What is the admin fee?
If you select the Invested account type for a client, their account will be subject to a admin fee, automatically assessed monthly and deducted from their DAF balance.
This fee is paid to the DAF sponsor (Charityvest, Inc. EIN: 81-2771871) to provide and service the donor-advised fund.
Foundation Source DAF admin fees are among the lowest in the industry, starting at 45bps and blending down based on fund balance. Here is a breakdown of the annualized admin fee at each balance level:
First $500,000 of fund balance
0.60%
Next $500,000 of fund balance
0.30%
From $1M to $2.5M of fund balance
0.20%
From $2.5M to $5M of fund balance
0.15%
From $5M to $10M of fund balance
0.10%
Above $10M of Fund Balance
Custom pricing available
Minimum annual Invested account fee
$100/year
Admin fee timing
Fees accrue daily based on your client's DAF daily ending balance and the fee schedule applied. They are deducted from the account balance on the first business day of the month. Here are some key terms to understand:
Last fee charged is the fee amount assessed on the account during the specified period.
Average daily balance is the sum of each day's ending balance divided by the number of days in the period.
Blended fee rate is calculated as the annualized fee for the period divided by the average daily balance.
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