Donor Advised Funds:

Partnering In Philanthropy

Southeast Missouri University Foundation has joined the ranks of community foundations and other progressive public charities by including a donor advised fund opportunity in its menu of gift options.

We can now partner with you, your family and your advisors in a unique way – by allowing you a voice in how your donation will be managed and distributed as well as an opportunity to share the joys of making these philanthropic choices.

Donor advised funds are one of the fastest growing segments of philanthropy – and one of the most effective ways to create a legacy of giving that can last for generations.  Gone are the days when only families like the Rockefellers and the Gates can experience the joy of giving through their own private family foundations.

Though similar to a private family foundation, a donor advised fund is often preferred by donors because there are no set-up fees, no annual filing and compliance requirements and no excise taxes.  Simplicity, convenience and flexibility are key benefits of a donor advised fund.
When you open your donor advised fund, you receive a charitable deduction on your income taxes.  The easiest asset to establish the fund is cash, but you can also use publicly traded stock, mutual fund shares, bonds and certain restricted stock, which may provide additional tax advantages.

You can delay designating how your contribution will be used until sometime in the future when you recommend distributions (or grants) to be made from the account to a charitable organization.  Not only can you support programs at Southeast Missouri State through your donor advised fund, but you can also designate any other qualified public charity to receive your future gifts.
By investing in a donor advised fund, your contributions will grow over time and make helping others a long-term commitment.   
In addition to naming yourself as an ‘advisor’ to the fund, you can name your family as successor advisors. By involving family members in the decisions about which grants to recommend, you can extend your philanthropy to future generations, building a tradition of giving and teaching children and grandchildren the value of philanthropy.

Our new Web site at semo.donorfirst.org is a powerful online tool to allow you, your other designated donor advisors and your financial advisor to monitor your fund and make grant recommendations online, anytime.
As always, you should consult your tax advisor to determine if a donor advised fund will meet your financial and philanthropic goals.  Please contact Trudy Lee at (573) 651-5935, (888) 812-3769 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.