Terminating a Private Foundation

Converting a Private Foundation to a DAF

If you are involved in a private foundation and have found that the time and costs involved are greater than you expected, you might consider terminating your private foundation by transferring some or all of the assets to a donor advised fund.

Administrative paperwork, expense, research on charitable organizations, and ongoing legal and financial due diligence are only some of the factors to consider when maintaining a private foundation. For the founder or family members the work can be drudgery. 

Over time, private foundations often struggle with the following issues:

• The original purpose of the foundation no longer has the urgency it once did.
• Financial and administrative factors make it difficult for the foundation to operate effectively.
• The original founder may be slowing down, and the children or grandchildren may not share his/her passion.
• Busy schedules and geographic dispersion make it increasingly difficult to provide administrative attention.
• The founder desires that his or her children focus on the family’s philanthropy, not on the burden of foundation administration.

These considerations, along with the increased recognition of advantages of donor advised fund as a family foundation alternative, have prompted families to terminate their private foundations and transfer assets to donor advised funds at Hudson Community Foundation (HCF).

---

HCF Donor Advised Fund – a simple and effective alternative:

Active Role for the Donor
HCF donor advised funds offer you uniquely flexible ways to manage your giving. The fund provides you and your family with a tax-wise way to support charities on a flexible timetable and build a legacy for generations to come.

Lower Ongoing Costs
The cost to maintain your donor advised fund is low (1% or less of Fund balance)

Contribution Flexibility 
HCF can accept and hold a wider array of asset types. In comparison, a donor’s interests in a particular business may be significantly limited in a private foundation.

Better Tax Benefits 
Contributions to a donor advised fund receive better tax benefits than contributions to a private foundation. See Tax Benefits

Low Administrative Burden
In contrast, donors to donor advised funds have far fewer responsibilities. Record keeping is greatly simplifiehttps://www.aefonline.org/tax-benefitsd. HCF assumes all back-office tasks, such as compliance monitoring, state and federal filings, verifying each grantee’s tax-exempt status, and grant disbursements in accordance with IRS guidelines.

No Excise Taxes
The 2% annual excise tax that a private foundation pays on the net investment income does not apply to a donor advised fund.

Flexible and Simple Grant-making Options
Much like a private foundation, families can set up their donor advised fund to reflect their family’s name and values and recommend grants from their fund to a wide range of charities.

No Payout Requirement
Donor advised funds are not required to comply with the minimum 5% payout in making annual grants and distributions.

Privacy
A donor advised fund at HCF provides donors flexible solutions in maintaining privacy. In comparison, private foundations offer little privacy and no anonymity. With a private foundation, all contributions and distributions are public record.

• Contribution privacy
• Investment privacy
• Administration privacy
• Grant-making privacy and grant-making anonymity.

Investment Management
Assets in an HCF donor advised fund can be invested in a wide array of investment choices and managed by your own Professional Advisor.

HCF gives donors the ability to maintain a relationship with an existing financial advisor. The selected advisor can provide the fund an investment approach that is customized and individually managed account. HCF does not pool investments with other foundation funds.

---

The Mechanics of Terminating a Private Foundation 

Section 507 of the Internal Revenue Code permits termination of a private foundation in either trust or corporate form and the distribution of its assets to a public charity. A private foundation can simply transfer its assets to a donor advised fund at the Hudson Community Foundation and file the final 990-PF to the IRS afterwards. Hudson Community Foundation qualifies as a public charity into which a private foundation may distribute all or part of its assets. A transfer of all assets not only releases the private foundation from the reporting requirements of the Code but also terminates the payment of the excise tax imposed on private foundations. State law may require additional steps to terminate the foundation’s legal existence as a nonprofit corporation or charitable trust. Creating a donor advised fund at Hudson Community Foundation can be accomplished by completing a simple application.

Some transfer their assets in a lump sum; others start with a minimum contribution of $10,000 and then add to their fund over time.

Foundations considering a transfer should get help from an attorney with experience in handling this kind of transaction.

You Can Trust HCF

When you give to the Hudson Community Foundation (HCF), you can trust that your charitable contributions are managed with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and care. With a proven track record of responsible stewardship, HCF ensures that your donations are directed toward meaningful causes that align with your values. Our team of experienced professionals, guided by a dedicated board of community leaders, works diligently to maximize the impact of every gift. Whether you’re supporting a favorite charity, addressing a specific need, or leaving a lasting legacy, HCF provides the expertise and accountability to ensure your generosity makes a lasting difference.