Donor Advised Funds

MAKES GIVING EASY

Simplify your charitable giving by letting us do all the behind-the-scenes work of confirming your grant recipients, providing gift receipts, and investing your gift.

ONLINE ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

A password protected, private online account lets you manage fund activities, make grant requests, check current balance and giving history. You may also grant access to family, friends, or associates so they can participate.

BACK BALL STATE UNIVERSITY AND OTHER PASSIONS

Provide ongoing support to Ball State and other charities with one - or more - donations.

TAX SAVINGS

Enjoy an immediate charitable income tax deduction in the year of the gift, allowing five years to carry-over any excess deduction.  Plus, you escape any potential capital gains tax by donating appreciated stock, real estate, or other assets. 

GIVE ON YOUR TIMETABLE

You can make gifts now and grant from your donor advised in future years following the year of your gift.  For example, you can maximize your charitable tax deduction during your high income working years and grant from your donor advised fund during your retirement years.

INSPIRE PHILANTHROPY

Involve family, friends, and/or company associates in your philanthropic mission and decision-making.

PRIVATE FOUNDATION ALTERNATIVE

Enjoy the positive aspects of a family or company private foundation without the administrative burden and costs such as the private foundation annual 990-PF tax return, excise taxes on the foundation assets, and mandatory annual payout.

NAME YOUR GIFT

You can make grants from your fund in your name, family name, company name, or anonymously.

ENDOWED OR EXPENDABLE, IT’S YOUR CHOICE

Establish either or both an expendable fund, where you can grant all of your donation, or an endowed fund, which will last in perpetuity. You may designate the residual of your donor advised fund for a named scholarship, program fund, or other use supporting Ball State as a perpetual legacy.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

You may recommend how your endowed fund is invested, and we offer a spectrum of asset allocations for your consideration.  

Setting up a donor advised fund is easier than you may imagine. Just follow this five- step process:

• Step 1: Create a Ball State donor advised fund by signing an agreement and contributing cash or other assets. You can establish an expendable fund to make grants to Ball State programs with as little as $1,000. An endowed gift of at least $50,000 allows you to grant at least half of the annual spendable amount to Ball State and up to half to other charitable organizations.
• Step 2: Multiple investment strategies are available to fit varying degrees of risk tolerance and desired fund growth.
• Step 3: Sign in to your personalized account online and research Ball State programs and information on other charitable organizations that interest you.
• Step 4: Once your account is established, you may recommend grants of $500 or more depending on your annual spendable amount. We will review your online request and confirm your designated grantees’ eligibility to receive grants as required by the IRS. An award letter is mailed to the designated charity along with your grant. You will receive an online view of the grant status, along with an updated online listing of your grants in your grant history.
• Step 5: Monitor your account dashboard to receive acknowledgement of your gifts from your grantees and information on use of funds; communicate with friends, family, and others as you wish on your charitable granting; and manage your charitable gifts.

Ball State University Foundation created Cardinal Funds, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to oversee donor advised funds. Donating through Cardinal Funds, Inc. qualifies you for an income tax charitable deduction pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Cardinal Funds, Inc. is an Indiana nonprofit corporation governed by a board of directors.