Who is the Catholic Foundation?
Since 2000, the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Saint Cloud has remained committed to nurturing stewardship and philanthropy to strengthen the Church and serve God’s people. Looking forward, our goal is clear: to be a steady force for parishes, schools, and the diocese. Each gift, whether given today or planned for tomorrow, is a testament to faith and hope. The Catholic Foundation exists so that generosity today can continue into the future ensuring the light of Christ shines for generations to come.
Expert Spotlight
This month Cathy Juilfs, CFP, AIFA, CEBS (left), and Chris Duke, CFP (right), of AIS Planning were kind enough to share their thoughts on how you can make your charitable giving go further through the use of Donor Advised Funds. Cathy is the CEO/President of AIS Planning and has been with the organization since 1999. Chris is an Advisor who joined the AIS Planning team in 2019.
Make Your Charitable Giving Go Further
Many families want to give more generously to the causes they care about most—but also want to do so wisely. Whether it’s supporting your parish, Catholic school, local ministry, or favorite charity, there may be opportunities to make your giving go even further.
One charitable planning tool growing in popularity is a Donor Advised Fund, commonly called a DAF. A DAF is a charitable investment account that allows individuals and families to contribute assets, receive a potential tax deduction in the year of the contribution, and recommend grants to charities over time.
For many families, charitable giving is not just about taxes—it is about living out their values, supporting their community, and creating a lasting legacy of generosity for children and grandchildren.
A Donor Advised Fund can be especially helpful during years when income is unusually high, such as after the sale of a business, receiving a large bonus, inheritance, or exercising stock options. In those years, some families choose to make a larger charitable contribution to potentially offset taxes while setting aside funds that can continue supporting charities for years to come.
Another benefit is simplicity and flexibility. While the contribution to the DAF is permanent, the donor still retains advisory privileges over how the account is invested and when grants are distributed to charities. Some families also appreciate the ability to give anonymously.
Building a Legacy of Generosity
For many families, charitable giving is also part of their estate planning and leaving a legacy. A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) can provide a simple and meaningful way to continue supporting important causes long after your lifetime.
There are several ways families can structure a charitable legacy through a DAF. Some choose to name charities as beneficiaries of the account. Others appoint children or family members as successor grantors so future generations can continue recommending grants and carrying forward the family’s charitable values. Families can even structure their DAF account to distribute annual gifts to a parish, Catholic school, scholarship fund, or local nonprofit over many years.
Donor Advised Funds may also play a role in tax-efficient estate planning. Minnesota’s estate tax threshold is lower than the federal exemption amount, which means charitable planning may help reduce estate taxes for some families.
Retirement accounts can also create unique tax considerations for heirs. While Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) cannot be made directly into a Donor Advised Fund, some individuals choose to name charitable organizations or a DAF as beneficiaries of retirement assets as part of their broader estate strategy.
Another practical benefit is flexibility. Unlike making changes to a trust or will—which may require legal amendments and additional cost—updating charitable beneficiaries within a Donor Advised Fund is typically straightforward and costless.
Every family’s financial and charitable goals are different. Before establishing a Donor Advised Fund, it is important to work with qualified tax, legal, and financial professionals to determine whether this strategy aligns with your overall goals and values.
When approached thoughtfully, charitable planning can become more than a financial decision—it can become a reflection of faith, stewardship, and the lasting impact you hope to leave behind.
Looking for more information? Please reach out to David or Chris at the Catholic Foundation.
David Eickhoff: Executive Director
Email: deickhoff@catholicfoundation.info
Phone: 320.258.7657
Chris Backes: Planned Giving Coordinator
Email: cbackes@catholicfoundation.info
Phone: 320.257.2139