Question

What is the difference between a donor-advised fund and a family foundation?

Answer

Both support charitable giving, but they differ in complexity and control. A donor-advised fund is more straightforward and less costly to operate, and it offers an immediate tax deduction and flexible granting. A family foundation offers more control over grantmaking and a platform for multigenerational engagement, but it carries administrative requirements and ongoing costs. Your choice depends on the scale of your giving and how involved you want your family to be.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

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