Now Is the Time for a DAF
There’s a moment in every philanthropist’s journey when good intentions crystallize into tangible impact. For Jewish donors across the Bay Area, that moment is now — and it comes with an unprecedented opportunity that won’t last beyond year’s end.
Imagine opening a giving account today that maximizes your charitable tax deductions before sweeping tax law changes take effect in 2026, while also immediately giving you an additional $1,800 Bonus Grant for your favorite Jewish nonprofit. This isn’t hypothetical — it’s reality for the first 100 new Federation donor-advised funds (DAFs) of $10,000 or more opened by December 31, 2025.*
Why So Many Donors Are Moving to DAFs
DAFs have become one of the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicles in the U.S. The reason? They represent the perfect intersection of flexibility, tax efficiency, and strategic impact.
A DAF is a special account that helps you organize and manage all your charitable giving in one place. You make tax-deductible contributions, watch those funds grow tax-free, and then recommend grants to support the Jewish and nonprofit organizations that matter most to you — all on your timeline, with the help of a trusted Federation advisor.
For Jewish donors navigating the complex landscape of tzedakah (taking care of people in need), this flexibility proves invaluable.
In addition to streamlining our philanthropic giving, having a Federation DAF has connected us with a greater community of people, many of whom are now genuine friends. It’s a real value add.
— Julie and Buddy Arnheim, Los Altos Hills
What Makes a Federation DAF Fundamentally Different
While any major financial institution will open a DAF for you, they won’t understand the sacred responsibility of tzedakah, connect you with Jewish nonprofits and others making extraordinary impact, or help you navigate the complex questions that define meaningful philanthropy.
Which groups are most effectively combating the surge in antisemitism? How can we ensure Israeli nonprofits receive funding to help rebuild? What can I do to help strengthen democracy? How can my family develop giving strategies that align with our values and long-term goals? These aren’t questions answered by algorithms or generic wealth managers. They require the deep Jewish wisdom and philanthropic expertise that only the Federation provides.
As a Federation DAF holder, you’re assigned a dedicated philanthropy advisor who serves as your personal guide. These are knowledgeable and certified professionals who have spent years supporting families in their philanthropy. They work closely with the Federation’s impact team, who have relationships with hundreds of nonprofits — evaluating their effectiveness, understanding their leadership, and tracking their impact. Your advisor brings not just data but wisdom, not just recommendations, but genuine insight into which organizations are truly moving the needle.
Our advisor helps us focus on areas where we can see real, measurable change and that’s been incredibly empowering.
— Anna and Matthew Kovinsky, Mill Valley
The Power of Community, Connection, and Collective Impact
Another advantage of a Federation DAF is something that doesn’t appear on any comparison chart: community. When you open your fund, you’re joining an exciting network of like-minded philanthropists. Throughout the year, DAF holders receive exclusive invitations to intimate events featuring renowned thought leaders, social impact innovators, and nonprofit executives.
A Federation DAF also gives you access to participate in our Giving Circles and Collective Impact Portfolios, which take an innovative approach to our community’s most pressing challenges, like combating antisemitism. When pooled with others, your grant can make an even bigger difference.
Beyond Grantmaking: Family Legacy and Multi-Generational Giving
For many donors, a Federation DAF evolves into a cornerstone of family legacy and values transmission. The Federation’s family philanthropy guidance helps you involve children and grandchildren in meaningful giving decisions, teaching them the mechanics of charitable giving and the deeply rooted Jewish values that inspire it. The Federation’s legacy and gift planning experts work with you to ensure your philanthropic vision extends far beyond your lifetime, structuring your DAF and estate plans to support Jewish communities for generations.
Your Investment Grows, Giving You More Capital to Donate
With a Federation DAF, your contributions don’t sit idle, waiting to be granted. Instead, the Federation offers strategic investment options that allow your philanthropic capital to grow tax-free until you’re ready to recommend grants. Over time, this growth means you can grant significantly more than your original contribution, multiplying your impact without requiring additional out-of-pocket giving.
The Federation provides multiple investment options tailored to different risk tolerances and time horizons, all managed with the same fiduciary responsibility you’d expect from any premier financial institution. And here’s an innovative option most traditional DAF providers don’t offer — impact lending. Your DAF funds can be deployed as low-interest loans to nonprofits, generating both financial returns and social impact simultaneously, then returning to your fund for future grantmaking.
I chose to open my DAF with the Federation because it’s not just about financial management. It’s about community. Together, we’re investing in Jewish life, shared values, and the bonds that hold us all together. Plus, who can say NO to Laura Lauder, our fearless Federation Board Chair?!
— Alison Pincus, San Francisco
The 2026 Tax Deadline That Changes Everything
Tax legislation changes taking effect in 2026 will significantly impact how much you can deduct from charitable contributions under current limits. Financial advisors nationwide are urging clients to maximize charitable giving before December 31, 2025 — your final opportunity to leverage today’s more favorable tax treatment.
Savvy donors are accelerating their giving timelines, front-loading contributions into vehicles like DAFs that allow them to claim the full tax deduction now while maintaining the flexibility to distribute grants over time. And your generosity today doesn’t just create immediate impact — it becomes a powerful philanthropic strategy that is grounded in l’dor v’dor — for your family and the broader community for years to come.
The Federation has admin fees, and yes, they might be a little bit more than what you would pay at big financial institution, but I feel really good knowing that they’re going to help the Jewish community.
— Sharon Petrowsky, Lafayette
It Only Takes Five Minutes
Opening your Federation DAF takes as little as five minutes through an easy online form. But the impact of that decision will reverberate for decades.
Jewish communities worldwide need the strategic, sustained support that only informed, connected philanthropists can provide. They need you. Not someday, but now.