Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are an increasingly popular philanthropic giving vehicle, in part because they make it possible to contribute a wide array of assets to support charitable causes in the UK and internationally. This versatility allows donors to achieve their philanthropic goals in the UK and around the world.
Donors may establish a fund with an initial contribution and continue to add assets over time as part of their longer-term philanthropic planning.
Once assets are contributed, the general process includes these steps:
- The contribution is received and processed by NPT UK or NPT Transatlantic.
- The value of the contribution is credited to the DAF account.
- The assets may be invested or held within the DAF according to the donor’s recommendations.
- Donors may recommend grants from the DAF to eligible charitable organisations over time.
This contribution guide outlines the types of assets that may be contributed to a DAF, the key contribution rules donors should understand, and practical considerations to keep in mind when making a contribution.
General Contribution Rules
Contributions to an NPT UK or NPT Transatlantic DAF may include both cash and non-cash assets that can be realised into charitable funds for future grantmaking. Donors are not limited to giving cash and may contribute a variety of assets that support long-term charitable giving.
In many cases, contributing appreciated or non-cash assets, such as publicly traded securities or other investments, may increase the value available for charitable giving while also offering potential tax advantages compared with donating cash alone.
All contributions to a DAF are irrevocable once they are accepted by NPT UK or NPT Transatlantic. This means contributed assets cannot be returned to the donor and must ultimately be used for charitable purposes.
Once contributed, assets are held by NPT UK or NPT Transatlantic. While donors may recommend grants from the DAF all grants are subject to approval and must be made to eligible charitable organisations.
Contributions to DAF accounts are irrevocable gifts once received and accepted. NPT UK or NPT Transatlantic retains exclusive legal control over all contributed assets. Donors may retain advisory privileges over grant recommendations and, where applicable, investment recommendations.
However, NPT UK/NPT Transatlantic maintains control and oversight of the assets to ensure they are managed and applied in furtherance of charitable purposes.
When a cash gift is made to a DAF, the gift of cash may be eligible for Gift Aid relief in the UK. To qualify for Gift Aid relief, the donor must pay enough UK tax (income tax, capital gains tax, Remittance Basis Charge) in each tax year to cover the amount of Gift Aid relief that all charities claim on the donor’s behalf for that tax year. As a registered UK charity, NPT UK and NPT Transatlantic are both eligible to claim Gift Aid on eligible cash contributions. The reclaimed Gift Aid will be added to the DAF account once received. Gift Aid may only be claimed on new donations
to charity.
When a gift is made to an NPT UK/NPT Transatlantic DAF, individual donors may be able to claim UK tax relief on their self-assessment tax return. For cash gifts, higher rate or additional rate taxpayers are generally eligible to claim the difference between their tax rate and the basic tax rate on the gross donation. For gifts of shares, donors are generally eligible to claim tax relief on the total fair market value of the contribution. The amount of the UK tax relief will depend on many factors, including the type of asset donated.
Tax relief will vary based on the type of asset contributed and the donor’s financial situation. Donors should consult their financial or tax advisers to understand how these rules apply to their specific situation.
Contribution Limits
- For the NPT UK DAF, the minimum initial contribution to open a DAF is £250,000, and additional contributions must be at least £2,000.
- For the NPT Transatlantic DAF, the minimum initial contribution is £50,000 or $80,000, and additional contributions must be at least £2,000 or $3,200.
There is no upper limit on the total amount that can be contributed to a DAF. However, tax relief on contributions may be subject to limits under HMRC rules or other applicable tax laws that may apply to your specific situation. Donors are encouraged to consult with financial, tax, or legal advisers to understand how contribution limits and tax relief thresholds may apply to their individual circumstances.
Acceptable Asset Types
NPT UK and NPT Transatlantic can accept a range of asset types as charitable contributions. While many donors contribute cash or publicly traded shares, DAFs can also support more complex gifts as part of a broader philanthropic strategy. These may include privately held business interests, certain fund interests, property, and other appreciated assets.
Common asset types that may be eligible for contribution include the following:
- Cash: Typically, the most straightforward contribution, processed quickly via bank transfer. In the UK, eligible donations may also qualify for Gift Aid.
- Publicly traded shares: Transferred to NPT UK/NPT Transatlantic and liquidated, with proceeds credited to the DAF account.
- Private company shares: May be eligible in certain situations, subject to pre-approval and due diligence. Early planning is often helpful.
- Fund interests or complex investments: Certain partnership interests or alternative investments may be considered, subject to additional documentation and review.
- Property: Subject to property valuation and due diligence. Eligibility may vary depending on the characteristics of the property and jurisdiction.
- Other tangible or complex assets: Reviewed individually to determine whether they can be accepted and administered effectively.
Contribution Deadlines
Donors who plan to make charitable contributions within a particular tax year should consider timing in advance, especially when donating non-cash or more complex assets. Certain asset types may require additional time for review, documentation, or transfer processing before they can be accepted into a DAF.
Starting discussions early can help ensure contributions are completed in time to meet relevant deadlines . This is particularly important for assets such as privately held interests, fund interests, or property, which may involve additional due diligence.
In the UK, the tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. Donors who wish to make contributions within a specific tax year should take this timing into account when planning their charitable giving.
Additional Contribution Sources
Contributions to a DAF may come from other financial or estate planning arrangements. Depending on a donor’s circumstances, charitable giving strategies may involve a wealth event, like selling a business, legacy gifts, estate planning, or other structured philanthropic approaches.
Donors considering these types of contributions may wish to discuss their options with financial, tax, or legal advisers to determine the most appropriate strategy for their charitable goals.
How Contributed Assets Are Invested
Once contributions are accepted, investment recommendations for the assets in the DAF account can be made to grow tax-free to support your future grant recommendations. They can be invested according to the investment options available through the DAF programme.
For NPT UK/NPT Transatlantic DAF accounts greater than £500,000/$800,000, the donor may recommend a specific investment manager upon approval.
Cash contributions may be invested shortly after they are received. Non-cash assets, such as shares or other investments, may first need to be sold, before the proceeds are invested within the fund.
Investing contributed assets may increase the value of charitable funds over time, allowing donors to support more organisations in the future. For donors interested in aligning their charitable assets with social or environmental outcomes, impact investing may be one approach to consider.
