At the Lenawee Community Foundation, we work with individuals and families who want to support the causes they care about most. Sometimes we meet with donors who have already begun their charitable giving journey by establishing a donor-advised fund at a national charitable sponsor or commercial provider.
Over time, many donors discover that they want something more. They want to learn about local needs, connect with nonprofits making a difference right here in Lenawee County, involve family members in giving decisions, and work with a trusted local partner who understands the place they call home. For these donors, transferring a donor-advised fund to the Lenawee Community Foundation can be a natural next step.
The good news is that moving a donor-advised fund is often easier than people expect. Here’s a simple look at how the process works.
Step 1: Start a Conversation
The first step is simply to reach out. Our team will take time to learn about your charitable goals, answer your questions, and explore how a donor-advised fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation can help you create the impact you envision.
Many donors are surprised to learn that they don’t have to choose between convenience and local expertise. In addition to the flexibility of a donor-advised fund, you’ll gain personalized guidance, deep community knowledge, and a long-term partner committed to strengthening Lenawee County.
Step 2: Create a Fund That Reflects Your Values
One of the most enjoyable parts of the process is designing a fund that reflects your family’s charitable vision. You can choose a fund name, such as the Smith Family Fund, designate fund advisors, and discuss how future generations might become involved. Many donors use this opportunity to create a structure that encourages family conversations about generosity and community impact, while benefiting from the Foundation’s experience and philanthropic expertise.
Step 3: Establish Your New Donor-Advised Fund
We’ll provide a simple fund agreement outlining how your fund will operate and who may recommend grants to nonprofit organizations. The process is straightforward, and our team will guide you every step of the way.
Step 4: Recommend a Grant to Transfer Your Fund
Once your new fund is established, you can contact your current donor-advised fund provider and recommend a grant to the Lenawee Community Foundation for the benefit of your newly created fund. In many cases, this can be completed online in just a few minutes.
Step 5: Confirm the Details
To help ensure a smooth transfer, be sure to use the exact name of your new fund and any instructions provided by the Foundation. We’ll gladly coordinate the details with you and answer questions throughout the process.
Step 6: Decide How Much to Transfer
Some donors transfer the entire balance of an existing donor-advised fund at once. Others prefer to transfer a portion first and move additional assets later. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The right decision depends on your charitable goals, giving plans, and Some donors transfer the entire balance of an existing donor-advised fund at once. Others prefer to transfer a portion first and move additional assets over time. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The right choice depends on your charitable goals and what works best for you and your family. Some donors even choose to maintain their existing donor-advised fund while also establishing a locally focused donor-advised fund or another charitable fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation.
Step 7: Put Your Philanthropy to Work Right Here in Lenawee
After the transfer is complete, you can begin recommending grants from your donor-advised fund. Whether you’re supporting longtime favorite organizations or discovering new opportunities to make a difference, our team is here as a trusted resource. Many donors find that this deeper connection to the community—and the opportunity to give with local insight—becomes one of the most rewarding aspects of their philanthropy.
A donor-advised fund is a simple, flexible way to organize your charitable giving. By bringing your fund to the Lenawee Community Foundation, you’ll also gain a local philanthropic partner dedicated to helping you make a lasting difference, now and for future generations.
If you’d like to explore whether transferring your donor-advised fund is right for you, we’d love to start the conversation.