Blog: Triangle Community Foundation

Donor-Advised Funds Still a Sure Bet in 2026

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Written by Deirdre Gordon, Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement 

It will be a while before we fully understand the recalibration in charitable giving resulting from the new tax laws, but one thing is clear: donor-advised funds (DAFs) continue to offer a powerful vehicle for thoughtful and tax-wise giving in 2026. 

A Thoughtful Solution  

A Triangle Community Foundation DAF puts all the tools at your fingertips to be thoughtful about supporting causes you care about. Concierge service from a dedicated relationship manager on a foundation’s team means you: 

  • Get advice about achieving your philanthropic priorities 
  • Centralize your giving - of all types from cash to complex assets 
  • Rely on thorough due diligence 
  • Organize your contributions 

With these services, you are left free to focus on the impact you are seeking with your giving and even have the brain space to develop a charitable mission or engage your family in critical conversations about philanthropy. All of which adds up to thoughtful support to causes and charities you care about. 

A Tax-Wise Solution 

DAFs allow generous individuals to plan for the current moment and for the future by setting aside assets for charitable purposes in a fund from which they can recommend charitable grants over time. Getting the charitable deduction in the year you contribute to the fund, growing the fund through investment, then granting from the fund over a period of years is the tax-wise way to leverage the dollars you set aside for causes you care about. Achieve maximum tax savings in one year with a lump sum charitable deduction while maintaining a fund for flexibility now and in the future? That's a win. 

Plus, you can: 

  • Grow your charitable giving assets tax-free by choosing an invested fund 
  • Easily track contributions in one place for tax purposes 
  • Access reports and accounting of your charitable giving in a centralized online portal 
  • Grant from your fund once a year, or multiple times a year 
  • Give once a year, or build a strategy for multi-year giving or episodic giving 

A 2026 Solution 

DAFs as a thoughtful and tax-wise solution isn't new, but in 2026 when donors are thinking more strategically about their giving, a DAF is more attractive than ever. Why? Because new 2026 tax code rules impact charitable deductions, limits, and benefits for donors at every level.  As things recalibrate with tax filings - and maybe even tax law - over the next several years, a DAF is a tax-wise way to manage the assets that power your charitable donations. And here's how: 

  • "Bunching" gifts to a DAF in a high-income year by contributing what you project to be multiple years' worth of charitable dollars to reach the .5% deduction threshold, then granting out over future years from the fund 
  • Protecting assets you have earmarked for long-term charitable purposes by moving them to a DAF now when the current tax law is favorable to large charitable contributions 
  • Planning for retirement by contributing to a DAF during your last 5-10 peak income years then grow those investments tax-free to preserve your ability to make sustained contributions 

 

Indeed, a DAF is a thoughtful, tax-wise, 2026 solution.  

 

Interested in exploring a DAF at Triangle Community Foundation? Email us at [email protected]. 

Not sure how the above applies to you? Contact your professional advisor (CPA, lawyer, financial advisor) to learn more. 

The information above is not intended to constitute tax or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should discuss the implications and consequences of a specific charitable gift with a legal and/or tax advisor who is familiar with your financial situation.