A donor advised fund offers donors a tax-efficient and personalized way to give to charitable organizations you care about. It allows donors to put money into the fund and receive a tax deduction for that contribution. Donors can then recommend grants from the donor advised fund to different nonprofits whenever they choose – essentially, they donate to the fund and claim the deduction upfront but decide later and how to distribute the charitable funds. This gives donors the benefits of charitable giving without the hassle of collecting tax receipts.

BKO is committed to giving back to nonprofits in Brooklyn. When you choose to make a grant through BKO, you will receive tailored and expert advice from our team. We work closely with our donors to ensure they are giving in a way that aligns with their personal values and helps them achieve a meaningful giving experience. Additionally, BKO is distinguished from commercial donor advised fund providers because BKO’s fund fees are reinvested into local Brooklyn nonprofits, maximizing your impact.

You can contribute both cash and marketable securities (such as stocks and bonds) to your donor advised fund. Other assets (such as illiquid investments) may be considered on a case by case basis.

Yes! One, a donation to a donor advised fund produces a charitable deduction in the current year, even if grants are made over time. Two, if you donate appreciated securities, donating to a donor advised fund can help eliminate capital gains tax you would otherwise incur if you had first sold appreciated assets and then donated the proceeds.

For example, suppose you bought stock for $100 and it increased in value to $120. If you sold that, you would be taxed on the $20 gain at applicable rates and any charity which you then choose to donate to will receive $120 minus the applicable amount in tax. However, you can instead donate the appreciated amount to a donor advised fund and such donation would be tax free! The donor advised fund will thus receive the full $120, thanks to your tax efficient decision!

As with all charitable contributions, certain limits based on gross income may apply.

BKO’s easy-to-use portal allows you to make grants to 501(c)(3) organizations nationwide. If you’re unsure where to give, BKO’s expert team can help you identify organizations that align with your values and philanthropic goals.

Please click here to contact Brooklyn Org’s Donor Services team.

You can recommend grants from your donor advised fund to any IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity. However, a grant from a donor advised fund cannot be used to provide any personal benefit, such as event tickets, gifts, or membership fees – even if a portion of the ticket is tax deductible. While ultimately BKO has legal control over the assets in the donor advised fund, you can advise on how the funds are invested and distributed, which recommendations will be reviewed by the BKO team.

The balance of your donations will be managed and invested consistent with BKO’s overall investment policies. As a charitable need arises, grants will be made from the balance of your donations towards the charitable cause that you choose to give to.

BKO’s fee structure is listed above. All our fees are reinvested into local Brooklyn nonprofits that support and improve our community so that the impact your donation makes is maximized!

You can talk to a team member today!

Yes! You can transfer existing funds from another provider to BKO. By establishing your fund at BKO, you are supporting Brooklyn’s communities!

You can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA to BKO. A QCD can be made if you are above the age of seventy and a half (70 ½) and counts towards the minimum distribution from an IRA. When you do, the amount donated for 2025, up to $108,000 for individuals and $216,000 for married couples filing jointly, can be excluded from your taxable income. Under current laws, QCDs cannot be directed to donor advised funds. If you’d like to support BKO through a QCD, we can help you direct your gift to one of our many charitable initiatives[, such as a Fields of Interest Fund.

Click here to learn more about Qualified Charitable distributions.