What is a Donor Advised Foundation (DAF)?

  • Smart Giving

    Modern Philanthropy made Simple.

A really simple way to build your own charitable fund. From this you can make donations or grants to UK-registered and exempt charities, such as universities.

  • It allows you to take advantage of current potential tax benefits of charitable giving.
  • The option of making grants now or of building a long-term fund to create a lasting legacy.
  •  None of the complexity or cost of setting up your own private charitable foundation

Benefits

Simplicity
We handle all the administration at no cost to you.
Flexibility
Choose the charities you want to support, with grants of any size as often as you wish.
Anonymity
We protect your privacy with the option to make grants to charities anonymously.
Efficiency
Any tax that can be reclaimed on your donations will be added to your DAF
Family matters
The making of charitable grants from your DAF can be carried out by nominated family members, both during your lifetime on your death.

How it works

Name your charitable account and confirm any family members who can also make donations.

Make an irrevocable donation

Reclaim tax on your charitable donation*

*Based on our understanding of current tax legislation and applicable rates. These may change in the future and may not apply to your individual circumstances. UBS does not give tax advice.

You can recommend grants from your account to a UK registered charity at any time

The capital in your charitable account will be managed to meet your objectives**

**The price and value of investments and income derived from them can go down as well as up. Capital held in this account is therefore at risk.

The DAF enables you to have a cost effective and truly flexible way to donate to your favourite charities. Whether you want to give money away now or grow the capital for giving away later, your DAF can be managed simply and effectively.

Set up

Setting up an account is easy, any UK resident and domiciled tax payer, be they an individual or a company can open a charitable account so long as you have a UBS account too. It is possible to open a UBS account and choose to only hold assets in the DAF account.

Grant-making

All grants must be made to UK-registered charities and exempt charities. The trustees are required to approve all grants in line with UK Charity Commission rules.

You can choose when you wish to make grants to charities and how much. You can make regular payments, give away income generated on the portfolio or donate lump sums.

Do I need a DAF?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following, our UBS UK Donor-Advised Foundation might be the solution for you.

  • Do you have charitable goals? For example, would you like to give a percentage of your wealth to children's charities, climate initiatives or healthcare projects?
  • Would you like the option to give anonymously?
  • Would you like to include your whole family in your charitable decisions?
  • Would you like to have a charitable fund that continues after your death?
  • Would you like the flexibility to review and change the charities you give to over time?
  • Are you unsure of when or which charities to support but know that you want to put money aside now for your philanthropy?

Talk to us