Donor Advised Funds

DAF: Donor Advised Funds

Your donation can help the Red Cross respond to emergencies big and small.

Though our reach is vast, our impact is profoundly personal. For those in need—disaster survivors across the country and around the world, cancer patients receiving blood transfusions, members of the military community in crisis and many more—the Red Cross serves as the bridge from despair to hope. Consider growing your investment in our mission with a contribution from your donor-advised fund (DAF).

Learn more about Donor Advised Funds

How to Make a Donation From your Donor Advised Fund

Three Reasons to Invest in the Red Cross Mission

Every day, people in our community and around the world face emergencies, big and small. From more frequent and intense natural disasters, and life-threatening blood shortages, to the unique challenges placed on military families and more, never has the American Red Cross been more vital.

Powered by critical support from our donors and a dedicated workforce—more than 90% volunteers—the Red Cross has the capacity to deliver aid at a moment’s notice and on a massive, unparalleled scale.

Help Us Reduce Death and Injury from Home Fire »

In response to America’s most common disaster—home fires—we have formed a campaign to reduce the number of fire-related deaths and injuries. With focused outreach to vulnerable populations, the Red Cross and our partners have installed more than 2 million free smoke alarms, provided fire safety education to 1.6 million children, and saved more than 750 lives.

Red Cross volunteer working at blood drive

Help Us Collect and Distribute 40% of the Nation's Blood Supply »

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. To meet this constant demand, the Red Cross needs to collect about 12,000 units every day which then must be tested and packaged for safe transport to medical facilities around the country.

Red Cross volunteer surveying destroyed homes

Help Us Provide Care for People Affected by Disaster »

The Red Cross uniquely serves people through all phases of a disaster: preparedness, response and recovery. We ensure that those impacted receive food, shelter, comfort and care. After immediate needs are met, Red Cross caseworkers help survivors develop recovery plans and identify additional resources so families can get back on their feet.

How You Can Make a Difference

Consider donating to the Red Cross from your donor-advised fund.

DAF Direct enables you to donate to the Red Cross directly from your DAF. If your DAF sponsoring organization does not participate in DAF Direct, please have them direct your gift to the address below.

Recommend a donation through DAF Direct

Work directly with your sponsoring organization

Please make checks payable to:

American Red Cross

EIN: 53-0196605

PO Box 37864

Boone, IA 50037-0864

In order to acknowledge your generous gift, please provide your name and/or fund name and address.

For those who wish to electronically transfer funds to the American Red Cross, gifts may be sent via wire transfer. Please follow the instructions here, or reach out to WireDonations@redcross.org if additional support is needed.

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Have you already made a gift to the Red Cross from your DAF?

If you've already made your gift to the Red Cross, thank you! To ensure we're able to thank you properly, please complete the following form:

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An average of 90 cents of every dollar the American Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.

What Is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is like a charitable investment account that is set up for the sole purpose of supporting charities. Individuals can contribute cash, stocks, or other assets into the DAF and receive an immediate tax deduction. Those funds are invested for tax-free growth and the individual can recommend donations to charities of their choice over time.

Donor-advised funds are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle because they are the easiest, and most tax-savvy way to give to charities like the Red Cross.

How does a donor-advised fund work?

To establish the fund, an individual makes an irrevocable tax-deductible contribution (cash, stock, real estate, etc.) to a sponsoring organization, community foundation or financial institution. Individuals receive a tax receipt and tax benefits when funds are deposited into their DAF.
The DAF sponsoring organization oversees those funds as they grow tax free.
The assets within the fund now legally belong to the sponsoring organization but the DAF account holder retains advisory privileges over disbursements made from the DAF in addition to the investment strategy.
DAF account holders can recommend single or recurring donations to charitable organizations. Funds in a DAF can only be used to support organizations that are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and classified as public charities under 509(a).
Once the DAF sponsoring organization approves, the recommended donation is made to the qualified charitable organization, such as Red Cross.

What are the benefits of giving through a donor-advised fund?

Support a charity you believe in through strategic giving, over time.
Maintain family involvement in charitable decisions.
Create a lasting legacy.
Take advantage of immediate tax benefits with the ability to distribute funds later.
Consolidate all your charitable giving.
Ensure that you meet and/or exceed standard deductions by combining donations of stock to a DAF.

Other Ways to Give

Our mission is only possible with generous support from philanthropists like you. Your gift can make an extraordinary impact, and there’s no wrong way to support this vital work.