Create a donor-advised fund

A DONOR-ADVISED FUND, or DAF, is a giving account established at a public charity. When you create (or add to) a Donor-Advised Fund, you receive an immediate tax deduction. Once your DAF is established, you recommend grants from the fund over time.  Donors can contribute to the fund as frequently as they like, and then recommend grants to their favorite qualified charitable organizations whenever it makes sense for them.

View the current DAF fee schedule here.

Complete DAF Terms & Conditions can be found here.

Kirkland Community Foundation is proud to be a part of DAF Day 2025 on October 9, a national day of generosity and a celebration and promotion of donor-advised funds (DAFs) as powerful tools for giving. DAF Day encourages donors to explore the benefits of DAFs, open DAF accounts with local foundations like ours, and activate their generosity via their DAF to amplify their giving and impact. Join us and thousands nationwide in celebrating generosity this October 9th. Learn more at DAFDay.com.

Inquire here about opening a new DAF

The United States has more than 1.7 million DAF accounts as of 2023.

Source: National Philanthropic Trust

How donor-advised funds work

Donors contribute

The donor makes an irrevocable contribution to the donor-advised fund (DAF) and can take an immediate tax deduction.

Assets may grow

The charitable assets in the DAF may be invested, and any investment growth is part of the DAF and available for grants.

Charities benefit

The donor recommends grants from the DAF assets to support qualified charities.

To establish your donor-advised fund, you make an irrevocable contribution of personal assets—which could include cash, stock, real estate and more. Your contribution is recorded as a donation to KCF, and the balance will be reflected in your donor-advised fund account. Contributions to your DAF can come in a variety of methods.

When you contribute to your donor-advised fund, you may be eligible to claim an itemized tax deduction for federal and/or state income tax purposes. Because KCF and other donor-advised fund sponsors are public charities, your donation is considered a tax-deductible charitable contribution. This arrangement allows you to plan your gift so that you can take the tax deduction when it makes sense for you and to recommend grants to your favorite charitable organizations at any point in the future.

As you establish your donor-advised fund account, you can structure it in a way that best meets your charitable goals. You can name your donor-advised fund (DAF) anything you would like and design a legacy plan to determine what will be done with your DAF assets beyond your lifetime, which may include appointing successors or charitable beneficiaries.

The assets in your DAF are invested and grow tax-free, giving you the potential to create even more philanthropic capital for grantmaking.

As soon as your donor-advised fund is established and funded, you can recommend grants to the charitable organizations closest to your heart. KCF can approve grants to most organizations that are tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Section 501(c)(3) and classified as public charities under Code Section 509(a), as well as certain private operating foundations. Our team performs due diligence on every grant recommendation to ensure that your grant money will be used for charitable purposes. You can make single or recurring grants, either with recognition or with total anonymity.

Benefits of a donor-advised fund

DAFs have become popular in part because of their versatility, allowing donors to give when, what, how, and where is most favorable for them. There are many reasons why donors choose a donor-advised fund as a philanthropic giving vehicle. Charitable giving with a donor-advised fund can be a tax-efficient way to build a charitable legacy.

Here are the benefits of a donor-advised fund:

Maximize tax benefits
Contribute immediately, build a philanthropic strategy and donate when you’re ready
Grow your contributions over time, making more charitable dollars available to grant to nonprofits
Guarantee philanthropic dollars reach the causes you care about with an irrevocable contribution
Simplify organization and administration
Create a charitable legacy
Choose how you are acknowledged
Develop a philanthropic vision and philosophy

Quick links

Create a Fund Donate to KCF Catalyst Fund Methods of Giving Mission and History Contact Us Most recent 990 form Privacy Policy

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Spark Something Good - with the Kirkland Community Foundation

At the Kirkland Community Foundation, we serve as conveners, catalysts, and collaborators - and we know that new ideas need fuel to catch spark. That’s why we’ve created this space to hear from you.

Whether you’re ready to move forward with a community idea that shows the love in Kirkland, are seeking a small Spark Grant to bring something to life, or feel inspired to support a future project - you’re in the right place.

Let us know how you'd like to get involved, and someone from our team will follow up soon. Together, we can spark something good.

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Why are you filling out this form? Check as many as apply.*

To share an idea about a future project that I am planning

To request a spark grant (under $100) to make a project a reality

To make a financial contribution to be applied to a for the love project

To volunteer or offer my skills

To find out more about the Kirkland Community Foundation

Other (add details below)

Please tell us a little more about your idea, the type of projects that would interest you, and/or the skills you’d like to offer, and we’ll follow up soon to discuss. *

Anything else you would like to add? - Stories, dreams or feedback welcome.

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Community Project Letter of Interest

Kirkland Community Foundation has long served as the hub for successful projects inititated by members of our community, including the Save Our Salmon mural and the Waverly Beach Picnic Shelter. Have an idea for a project? Please complete this form as an initial step in the process, and we'll be in touch!

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The story behind your idea —

Share what inspired you and what you hope to accomplish. Please include:

A description of your project and why it’s important
Who will benefit and how it will make a difference
Any partners, volunteers, or organizations involved
How this project aligns with KCF’s mission and areas of impact
Whether there are any time-sensitive elements
Let us know what type of support you’re seeking: visibility, fundraising assistance, strategic guidance, or fiscal sponsorship. If requesting fundraising or fiscal sponsorship, please include an estimated budget or cost of the project.

Upload a document (PDF, DOC OR DOCX only) with your projects story here Upload a file or drag and drop. pdf, doc, docx up to 15MB

Write in your project's story here (if you didn't upload a document above)

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Thank you for your interest in serving on our board of directors.

We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals who share a strong commitment to the Kirkland community to join our board of directors. Board members play a vital role in shaping the organization's direction and ensuring its long-term success. Please complete the following form to express your interest in serving on our board. We are dedicated to the commitment that our board should reflect the diversity of our community.

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What skills and experience do you bring that would be valuable to the board?*

How much time are you able to commit to board service?*

What are your areas of particular interest within the organization's work?

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Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your interest in serving on the board?

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Please reach out to us with any inquiries or comments. We'd love to hear from you.

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Inquire about opening a donor-advised fund

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Planned source of funds

Anticipated initial funding amount

Philanthropic Interests

Human Potential

Parks & Recreation

Economic Vitality

Education & Innovation

Heritage

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Comments or questions

Donor-Advised Funds

Create a donor-advised fund

How donor-advised funds work

Donors contribute

Assets may grow

Charities benefit

1. Contribute assets

2. Receive an immediate tax deduction

3. Personalize your DAF account

4. Money in your DAF is invested by the Foundation and grows tax-free

5. Support your favorite charities, now and into the future

Benefits of a donor-advised fund

Spark Something Good - with the Kirkland Community Foundation

Community Project Letter of Interest

The story behind your idea —

Workshop Registration

Thank you for your interest in serving on our board of directors.

Please reach out to us with any inquiries or comments. We'd love to hear from you.

Inquire about opening a donor-advised fund