Smarter Giving Strategies for Year End and Beyond
In the fall of 2025, BCF held several events focused on giving, both guided by strategy and grounded in heart. Watch one of the recorded events to learn about the following:
✔ Flexible giving options that will give you immediate tax benefits
✔ The urgency to take action before December 31, 2025 due to a new 2026 tax law
✔ Tips on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) to support nonprofits of your choice
✔ How to use your Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA to create or contribute to a Donor Designated Fund
In celebration of BCF’s 25th anniversary, we will make a $250 grant to the nonprofit of your choice when you open a new DAF with us before December 31, 2025!
Resources
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If you still want to learn more, we are happy to meet anytime: leah@bainbridgecf.org.
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Tailor-Made for You
Donor Advised Funds are convenient, flexible tools for individuals, families, businesses, or groups that want to make a positive impact on their community. Donor Advised Funds are typically less costly and easier to administer than other forms of philanthropic giving such as family or corporate foundations.
Individuals or groups looking for a simpler, more effective way to give back can establish a Donor Advised Fund and the fund advisors (families members, a team of employees, etc.) can meet regularly to review local needs and recommend grants to 501(c)3 organizations. Grants are made in the fund’s name, and the donor receives quarterly fund activity statements. The donor also has the right to name successor advisors to the fund who can recommend grants in the fund’s name after the death of the original donors. See our Donor Advised Fund Grant Request.
Here is a visual for how a Donor Advised Fund works:
Fund Advisors Stories and Insights
Did you know? BCF has insight into community needs
“We used to hold our DAF at a large national firm. I often worried that grants might be sent to outdated addresses or go missing, and we even had a check that was uncashed for months. Since most of our giving is local, we moved our DAF to Bainbridge Community Foundation. Now I know that checks to the Parks and Trails Foundation, and even to small nonprofits based at the Marge Williams Center, will arrive where they should. If I have a question, I can pick up the phone and talk to someone on the island, or stop by the office. Despite being local, BCF makes national giving simple. Our donations get where they are going quickly and we feel confident that our philanthropy is having an impact.”
- Jen and Matt Wilson, BCF Fund Advisor
Did you know? Your Donor Advised Fund can make an impact both locally and nationwide
“We started exploring a donor advised fund to maximize the donations we could make to charities, especially from securities with built-in gains. As we explored BCF and other investment companies, we valued the opportunity to support a local foundation and participate in Bainbridge-wide giving events. It was a delightful surprise to hear that we could use our BCF-based DAF to give to causes nationwide, such as our alma mater and national nonprofits. When it's time to make year-end donations, we can easily review past year's gifts and then easily request new distributions. Our only regret is not opening a fund sooner!”
- Kevin and Rebecca Miller, BCF Fund Advisors
Did you know? You can use appreciated stock to start a Donor Advised Fund
“Before getting involved with Bainbridge Community Foundation, we didn't know that we could use appreciated stock to support causes we care about without a big tax hit. After learning more about Donor Advised Funds, we found out that we can direct some of our appreciated stock towards charitable giving in a tax-efficient way. Now we can plan my giving for the years ahead, and make a smart financial decision today by setting aside funds to give thoughtfully in the future. Learning more about how Donor Advised Funds work changed our whole perspective on our ability to give back in a meaningful way, and we're excited to keep contributing to the community in the years to come!”
- Jaana and Erik Linsenmayer, BCF Fund Advisors
Did you know? You can make a global impact
"Before we learned about Donor Advised Funds, we were looking for a flexible way to give back. We wanted tomake it easier to support the nonprofits we care about, while staying connected locally and still having the ability to give nationally and internationally. Our Donor Advised Fund at BCF has made that possible. Not only has it simplified tax season, but it has allowed us to recommend grants to local organizations like Housing Resources Bainbridge as well as international organizations such as Partners In Health and Haiti Cardiac Alliance. It has also connected us to an incredible community of people who care deeply about caring for others. When you add in the amazing BCF staff who offer incredibly quick personal support, it's the perfect place for us. We're grateful to have such a flexible and meaningful way to give back, both near and far."
-- Laura and Joe Van Dyke, BCF Fund Advisors
Sign up with BCF's New Fund Packet. For more information, please reach out to Leah Stephens Clark at leah@bainbridgecf.org.
