FOR NONPROFITS
Supporting nonprofits that advance the principles of freedom.
Connect with Donors Who Share Your Mission
DonorsTrust facilitates donor-advised fund giving for individuals and families who support a wide range of charitable organizations. Each year, about 70% of our grantmaking goes to conservative and libertarian policy and education groups.
Organizations who share our community’s limited-government, free-market values may receive grants on the recommendation of DonorsTrust clients.
What to Expect
We facilitate donor-advised fund giving between donors and qualified nonprofit organizations.
- Receive donor-advised fund grants recommended by our donors
- Experience reduced administrative complexity
- Benefit from the protection of your donors’ charitable intent
- Gain a strategic partner in your donors’ long-term charitable planning
Ways We Help You Succeed
Strategic
Venture Funds
Have a vision for a new project that will support multiple organizations? A strategic venture fund can serve as a single place for donors to give from which you can support a number of groups working toward your goal, offering the donors both simplicity and privacy.
Planned Giving Partners
Our team can be an asset to you as you grow your planned giving program, from simply answering questions to being a tool for your donors.
Events
DonorsTrust keeps a comprehensive list of liberty-group events so you know what is going on (and so you don’t schedule your event on top of another that will compete with yours!).
Grantee Updates
Keep donors informed about your latest work. Share major initiatives, milestones, and updates so the DonorsTrust community can stay connected to your work.
Strategic
Venture Funds
Have a vision for a new project that will support multiple organizations? A strategic venture fund can serve as a single place for donors to give from which you can support a number of groups working toward your goal, offering the donors both simplicity and privacy.
Planned Giving Partners
Our team can be an asset to you as you grow your planned giving program, from simply answering questions to being a tool for your donors.
Events
DonorsTrust keeps a comprehensive list of liberty-group events so you know what is going on (and so you don’t schedule your event on top of another that will compete with yours!).
Grantee Updates
Keep donors informed about your latest work. Share major initiatives, milestones, and updates so the DonorsTrust community can stay connected to your work.
Stay Connected
Get monthly insights, resources, and updates designed to support and grow your fundraising efforts. From the latest in philanthropy to meaningful developments across the freedom movement, we’ll keep you informed and inspired.
From the Intentional Giving Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
How can my organization receive a grant from DonorsTrust?
DonorsTrust grants are guided by the recommendation of our donor advisors. All groups receiving funds must be a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing with the IRS. Further, we are likely to decline grant requests to organizations that take more than 25% of annual revenues from government sources and/or that actively work to expand the size and scope of government.
DonorsTrust does not accept unsolicited requests for grants.
Can my organization be pre-approved to receive future grants?
We do not offer pre-approval. Rather, new grantees are reviewed at the time a donor advisor recommends a gift to the organization. If the charitymeets the criteria noted above, the request is advanced to our Board of Directors for approval. Once approved, grantees stay on the “approved” list for three years, at which time they are eligible for re-approval.
How do I thank a donor who gave to us through DonorsTrust?
If the donor chose to share contact information with you in the grant transmittal letter or if it is from someone with whom you already know, please feel free to contact the donor directly.
Some donors may choose to give anonymously. While we can’t share further information on the identities of these individuals, we are happy to send along a thank you note if you wish.
Note that any gift from DonorsTrust is just that—a gift from DonorsTrust and not from the recommending donor for legal and tax purposes. No tax receipt should be provided to the donor who recommended the grant, as that donor’s tax-deductible gift occurred when he or she contributed to the fund at DonorsTrust.
Do you accept donor referrals?
Absolutely. We are always eager to help you solve your donors’ problems, be it a tax situation, donor intent concerns, planned giving questions, or the desire for greater privacy. Reach out to anyone on our team, email tellmemore@donorstrust.org, or call us at 703-535-3563.
How do I update my organization’s information with DonorsTrust?
Use the Contact Us form below to share that information with our team. Thank you for helping us to keep our records up to date!
Comparing DonorsTrust
| Feature/Concern | DonorsTrust | Big-Box Donor-Advised Funds |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Approvals | Gives only to organizations that do not work against the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, and free enterprise. | May give to causes that conflict with your principles. May deny grants for ideological reasons. |
| Donor Intent and Legacy Protection | Written donor intent statements honored during life and forever after death. | No binding commitment to follow donor intent beyond legal minimums. Future boards may redirect funds. |
| Values Alignment | Focuses solely on conservatives, libertarian, and faith driven donors and their charities. | No mission alignment guarantees. |
| Grant Review Process | Every grant is vetted to ensure it aligns with the donor’s stated principles. | Review is typically limited to legal compliance which means that funds could be applied to causes that work against a donor’s values. |
| Personal Service | Personalized guidance with direct access to senior staff and expertise; no call centers or AI chatbots. | Limited personal relationships, call centers, and virtual assistants. |
| Community | A network of like-minded donors and experienced staff providing opportunities for collaboration and idea sharing. | No shared values-based donor community. |
| Tax Benefits | Immediate tax deduction, capital gains savings, and growth potential. | The same – but without values alignment, community expertise, or donor intent protections. |
| Privacy and Anonymity | Donor names are never publicly listed and grants can be made anonymously. | Grantor information can be disclosed in public reports or via 990 filings. |
| Feature/Concern | DonorsTrust | The Other Guys |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Planning | Ensures donor intent and principles live on after death through managed legacy accounts. | Legacy often diluted by later generations’ shifting values or management. |
| Cost Efficiency | No startup costs; low administrative fees; no annual excise taxes. | Significant setup and annual costs including legal, accounting, and staffing. |
| Compliance Headaches | No 5% payout deadline. | A private foundation’s 5% payout deadline is 12 months after the end of its tax year. This means if the foundation has a calendar year tax year, it must distribute at least 5% of its previous year’s assets by December 31st of the following year. |
| Complete Privacy | Grants can be made anonymously and donor names are not publicly disclosed. | Must file public IRS Form 990 with donor and grantee details. |
| Values Alignment | Grants only to organizations that align with liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise–never to groups that undermine them. | Depends entirely on family oversight; can drift from founding values over generations. |
| Community and Network | Experienced advisors with deep connections connecting you with grantees that can help you achieve your goals and are aligned with your values. | Isolated to family and internal trustees. |
| Feature/Concern | DonorsTrust | Community Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| Values Alignment | Grants only to organizations that align with liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise–never to groups that undermine them. | Generally broad and often supporting progressive causes; no guarantee of ideological alignment. |
| Protection of Donor Intent | Donor intent is rigorously documented and protected for life and beyond through written intent statements and governance structures. | Often no formal mechanism to protect intent once the donor passes. |
| Complete Privacy | Grants can be made anonymously and donor names are not publicly disclosed. | Typically lists donor names publicly; limited anonymity options. |
| Cost Efficiency | No startup costs and low administrative fees. | Moderate fees, often higher than DonorsTrust. |
| Flexibility and Control | Donors retain full advisory privileges—decide when and where to give, with expert support from senior staff | Moderate control; grants must align with the foundation’s community priorities. |
| Legacy Planning | Ensures donor intent and principles live on after death through managed legacy accounts. | Legacy merges into general funds or is redirected at the foundation’s discretion. |
| Community and Network | Experienced advisors with deep connections connecting you with grantees that can help you achieve your goals and are aligned with your values. | Broad, ideologically diverse donor community with no shared philosophical base. |
Keep Us Updated
Help us keep our community of donors updated on new initiatives, major accomplishments, and upcoming events.