Donor-Advised Fund

A charitable giving account you establish to benefit Hamilton College, (“Hamilton” or “the College”) and to recommend grants to other qualified public charitable organizations.

To partner with an established institution – Hamilton – with a strong investment record. Other benefits include:

• You take an income tax charitable contribution deduction when you irrevocably make a contribution to your HDAF Account.
• You avoid tax on your long-term gain when you contribute appreciated securities and other property.
• The value of your HDAF Account may grow, increasing the amounts available to distribute to Hamilton and other qualified public charities through recommended grants.
• You simplify your philanthropy with one charitable account – timing your deduction for maximum benefit and making grants when you wish – and either enjoy recognition for your grants to other qualified public charities or remain anonymous.

$100,000. All gifts are irrevocable. Additional contributions of any amount can be made at any time during your lifetime and through your estate.

You will complete a Donor Account Application and may transfer, cash, mutual fund shares, stocks, bonds, and other securities, including private and restricted stock, and real estate to Hamilton for your Account. Contributions must be accepted by the College. Upon liquidation, which will occur as soon as practicable after transfer to the College, your gift will be assigned units of the endowment similar to procedures in place for endowed funds, and allocated a pro rata piece of every investment held by the College endowment.

No, with the possible exception of the Endowment Excise Tax, your HDAF will grow tax-free – increasing the amount available for grants to Hamilton and other qualified public charities, as income, dividends, and realized gains will not be subject to taxation.

Hamilton charges no additional Donor Advisor Fund fees or administrative expenses to manage your Account. By holding units of the College endowment, your Account will pay its share of the comprehensive investment fee of approximately 70 basis points (FY2019).

Distributions from your Account of at least $1,000 or more per grant may begin anytime.

Typically, a donor, or a donor and a spouse/partner, may recommend grants during his/her/their lifetimes. Others may be added to succeed them for a term not to exceed a total of 10 years.

The College will establish your Account, comprised of two Sub Accounts each with 50% of your contribution:

• “H” (Hamilton) Account and its earnings will be irrevocably designated to the College.
• “O” (Other) Account and its earnings will be available to be distributed to other qualified public charities or the College.

The College will maintain an accounting of your contributions to, grants made from, and allocable investment returns and losses of each Sub Account. The amounts in each Sub Account are assets of the College and donors have no ownership interests in them. Donors, however, retain advisory privileges.

Donors complete a Grant Recommendation Form directing grants to Hamilton from either Sub Accounts and to qualified charities from Sub Account “O.”

HDAF reviews grant recommendations on a regular basis, preferring to process grants at month end.

You will receive gift credit for grants made to Hamilton from either Sub Account. You or your estate will receive credit for amounts from either Sub Account directed to the College upon termination of your HDAF. 

You will receive annual reports, high-level stewardship, and be welcomed as a member of the Joel Bristol Associates. This recognition society takes its name from one of the original supporters of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, Joel Bristol, whose family has long been associated with the College. You qualify as a member since the application allows you to direct the remainder value of your Accounts to Hamilton.

Not at this time.

You recommend grants by working with your gift officer or the Director of Gift Planning and completing a Grant Recommendation Form. Hamilton has established policies to ensure that recommended grants are made to qualified public charities. All grants are subject to approval.

Yes, we will assist you in opening a HDAF Account to which you would transfer your Private Foundation assets, eliminating the required accounting and tax returns.

Yes, you may transfer to a HDAF Account assets in any existing Donor Advised Fund.