Donor Advised Fund

Simplify Your Giving

A donor advised fund (DAF), which is like a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to Towson University and other qualified charities. You can recommend a grant or recurring grants now to make an immediate impact or use your fund as a tool for future charitable gifts.

You can also create a lasting legacy by naming Towson University Foundation the beneficiary of the entire account or a percentage of the fund. With a percentage, you can create a family legacy of giving by naming your loved ones as your successor to continue recommending grants to charitable organizations. Contact your fund administrator for a beneficiary form.

DAF Basics

Still learning about DAFs? Discover the ease of opening a donor advised fund—plus the advantages you’ll enjoy—with your FREE guide Centralize Your Giving With Donor Advised Funds.

An Example of How It Works

Students on campus Joe and Laura want to give back to their hometown by putting their money where it will do the most good. They establish a $25,000 donor advised fund with a community foundation.

The couple receives a federal income tax charitable deduction for the amount of the gift. They also get the time they need to decide which charities to support.

After researching community needs with the foundation’s staff, Joe and Laura recommend grants for Towson University (which they’ve supported for years) and a local animal shelter. The foundation presents the charities with checks from the Patricia Fund, which Joe and Laura named in honor of Laura’s mother. They name Towson University as the beneficiary to receive the account balance after their lifetimes. Joe and Laura are delighted to start this personal legacy of giving.

Fund Your Donation With:

Next Steps

If you already have a fund, use our tool Take Action! Visit Your Fund to connect. No fund yet? Get our free guide.
Contact Kathleen Hider at (410) 704-6287 or khider@towson.edu to discuss using your donor advised funds to support Towson University and our mission.
Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
If you include Towson University in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID.

Legal name: Towson University Foundation, Inc.
Address: Towson University Foundation, 8000 York Road, Towson, Maryland 21252-0001
Federal tax ID number: 52-0939453

Get More From Your DAF

Ensure you’ve made the most of your donor advised fund—for your family and for Towson University. Download the FREE guide Maximize the Impact of Donor Advised Funds.

Take Action! Visit Your Fund