“Loving these places meant protecting these places. Dedicated community members are a key factor in making dreams of open spaces come true. “ -Laurie Stalling.
After living in Wisconsin, Colorado, Alaska and Minnesota, Laurie Stalling and her husband, Ed, moved to Western Montana in 2006. Each place had unique people and landscapes that they explored and learned to love.
“My brother loved the people of Missoula and exploring western Montana. When he passed away from cancer in 2009, he left us an inheritance. We placed that money in a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) to support groups in Montana that work hard to protect its people and land. Since 1972, Five Valley Land Trust has brought community members together to protect those places we love and grows stronger every year. My brother would be proud to know his hard- earned money is living on in a legacy of open lands," says Laurie.
One of the easiest and most-tax advantageous ways to support our work is through a DAF. A DAF is a charitable giving account for the sole purpose of supporting your favorite charities over time. It’s like a Health Savings Account (HSA) for healthcare expenses or a 401(k) for retirement savings. Anyone can open a DAF and it’s a very simple process.
HOW A DONOR ADVISED FUND WORKS
1. You make an initial, irrevocable gift of cash or stock to fund a DAF at a sponsoring organization like your local Community Foundation, the American Center for Philanthropy, or Fidelity Charitable (the initial minimum contribution may be as low as $5,000).
2. The assets in your DAF grow tax-free.
3. You recommend gifts to be made to charities from your DAF.
4. The entity managing your DAF keeps track of your donations.
BENEFITS DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
· You establish a flexible vehicle for charitable giving.
· You obtain a charitable income tax deduction the year of your gift.
· Any additional contributions you make are eligible for current-tax-year deductions.
· Your account contributions may grow and have a greater charitable impact.
· You can involve your children in your charitable giving and later pass your DAF down to them.
GETTING STARTED
Want to learn more about how to set up your own DAF?
Contact Minette Johnson, Planned Giving Officer, at 406-519-5191 or minette@fvlt.org.
Autumn in the Missoula Valley and Lower Clark Fork River by Kristi DuBois
