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Give Through Your Donor-Advised Fund

Provide urgently needed food for our neighbors today, while investing in a future free from hunger.​

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Make a Gift Through Your Donor-Advised Fund

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that gives you the flexibility to recommend grants to nonprofits like the Greater Chicago Food Depository when it's convenient for you, while providing immediate tax benefits.​

You can set up your account through your provider of choice and contribute as frequently as you choose, then recommend grants on a one-time or recurring basis in support of our mission.

Use the DAF finder tool to begin your gift

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Questions about Giving Through a Donor Advised Fund?

Our staff is happy to assist you with questions about making a gift via donor advised fund. Email us or leave a message at 773-247-3663 to request a call back within two business days.

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The Benefits of Giving Through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)​

A DAF is a simple, flexible and tax-smart way to support the causes you care about most, both now and in the future.​

Every DAF grant to the Food Depository helps connect local families with the food they need today while building a stronger, more resilient Chicago for tomorrow.

 

Support the causes you care about over time.

A DAF provides a centralized charitable giving account that allows individuals and families to recommend grants to nonprofit organizations as their philanthropic priorities evolve.​

Give in the way that works best for you.

Most DAF providers accept cash, appreciated securities, and other assets, offering flexibility in how you make charitable contributions.​

Separate your tax planning from your charitable giving.

You can make a contribution to your DAF and receive an immediate tax deduction, then recommend grants to nonprofits when the timing is right for you.

Keep your giving local and make a difference close to home.

A grant from your DAF can help provide food and hope to neighbors across Chicago and Cook County. Giving locally allows you to see the impact of your generosity in the communities where you live, work, and care most.​

Maximize the impact of your gift.

The Food Depository does not pay transaction fees on DAF grants, meaning 100% of your recommended grant supports our mission of ending hunger.

Create a lasting legacy.

You may designate all or a portion of your DAF's
remaining assets to support the Food Depository and other charitable organizations, helping sustain the causes you care about for generations to come.​

FAQs

Explore Questions Other Donors Ask

Don’t see your question below? You can reach out to us at any time.

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A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving account that sits between the donor and the eventual recipients. The donor contributes assets once, receives an immediate charitable tax deduction, and then recommends grants to qualified nonprofits over time — months, years, or decades later. The DAF structure decouples the tax decision from the gift decision, which is useful for donors managing variable income, appreciated assets, or complex multi-year philanthropic plans.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) work like a charitable savings account—set aside funds today, watch them grow, and make your donation when the time is right.

  • Choose a DAF provider, open an account, and make a contribution to fund your charitable giving.​
  • Receive an immediate tax deduction from your DAF provider.​
  • Use the funds in your account to recommend grants and support the causes you care about.​

There is no cost to establish a donor-advised fund, however many providers require a minimum “deposit” to establish a DAF (typically between $100-$5,000 or more). Contact your provider for specific details.​

Most DAF providers accept cash, securities, and other assets, giving you greater flexibility in how you make charitable gifts.​

When recommending your grant, please use our EIN# 36-2971864 so your gift can be designated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and be put to use immediately to help feed our neighbors.

We would love the opportunity to thank you for your generosity. When recommending your grant, please use our EIN# 36-2971864 and ask your provider to share your name and contact information so we can properly acknowledge your support and update our records. ​

There are no transaction fees. 100% of your recommended grant goes to the Food Depository.​

Yes, you can set up an automated recurring grant to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Your gift is always used efficiently: 90% of every donation goes directly to hunger relief programs. Our annual reports provide full details on how we use funds.

Make a Gift through Your Donor Advised Fund

Your gift can provide food and hope for families facing hunger. Visit the donor advised fund finder tool to begin your gift today.

Donor Advised Fund Tool