Donor advised funds, or DAFs, and private foundations offer distinct pathways for strategic charitable giving, each with unique advantages for tax optimization and charitable efforts. In this episode of Building More Than Business, philanthropic strategist George Burnette joins Ann and Nerre to compare these two vehicles—from minimum contribution requirements and tax deduction limits to administrative complexity and family governance options.

George, Ann and Nerre offer actionable insights on choosing the right structure, selecting optimal assets to contribute, and timing contributions for maximum impact for business owners who are planning liquidity events or seeking to maximize year-end charitable gifts before 2026 tax changes take effect.

Resources

• 5 ways to enhance your charitable giving strategy in 2025
• How do donor advised funds work?
• How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact nonprofits
• Case study: Charitable contributions—cash or shares? (PDF)

Learn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more.