In Singapore, UBS Charities and Institutions are among the entities that can benefit from a donor advised fund. UBS has a long history of philanthropy in Singapore, dating back to 1973.
The UBS Optimus Foundation, a separate entity from UBS Bank, focuses on improving the lives of disadvantaged children worldwide. UBS has a significant presence in Singapore, with a dedicated team to support philanthropic efforts.
UBS has partnered with various charities and institutions in Singapore, including the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre and the Singapore National Employers Federation.
What Is a Donor Advised Fund?
A donor-advised fund is a type of charitable giving vehicle that allows you to give to a range of charitable causes. It's a professionally managed fund that can be sponsored by a financial institution, community foundation, university, or non-profit organization.
You can set up a DAF as an individual, family, company, beneficiary of a will, trust, or family office. The sponsoring organization will manage the fund and make disbursements to the charities you choose.
A DAF can be sponsored on a national level or through a community or regional organization. Community foundations, universities, and financial service companies like UBS offer DAFs.
You can advise on the disbursement of the funds in the account, and the sponsoring organization can also recommend specific charities based on their expertise and your preferences.
Here are some types of DAFs:
This type of fund can be useful for making an immediate impact, supporting a charity on a long-term basis, or ensuring the continuity of your donations.
Key Benefits
A donor advised fund (DAF) from UBS offers a lot of flexibility and choice. You can contribute to a DAF at any time, allowing you to take control of your charitable giving.
With a DAF, you can take your time deciding which charities to support. You can recommend grants at any time to be sent to your chosen charities, which are generally approved if they meet IRS and DAF provider guidelines.
You can support one charity or several, giving you the freedom to make a meaningful impact in the areas that matter most to you.
Here are some of the key benefits of a DAF from UBS:
Setting Up a Fund
You can set up a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) with a sponsoring organization, such as a financial institution or community foundation. UBS, for instance, offers a DAF service that you can work with your financial advisor to determine is right for you.
The minimum donation sum required to set up a DAF differs by institution, with options ranging from S$200,000 to US$50,000. The Community Foundation of Singapore, for example, requires a minimum donation of S$200,000, while UBS Singapore Donor Advised Fund requires a minimum of US$50,000.
To access a DAF, you'll need to work with a sponsoring organization that offers this service, such as UBS or the Community Foundation of Singapore. If you're a Credit Suisse client, you may also have access to the SymAsia Foundation, which requires a minimum donation of S$1M.
Here's an interesting read: How Startup Funding Works
Professional Investment Management
Setting up a fund with professional investment management can be a great way to grow your assets.
The assets you contribute are professionally managed, giving you peace of mind knowing that experts are handling your investments.
This means you don't have to worry about making investment decisions or trying to time the market, which can be a huge stress relief.
The DAF provider will make recommendations about how assets are invested, subject to their approval, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
Here are some key benefits of professional investment management:
- The assets you contribute are professionally managed
- Make recommendations about how assets are invested, subject to approval by the DAF provider
Types of Funds
Setting up a fund can be a great way to give back to your community, but did you know there are different types of funds to choose from?
If you want to make an immediate impact, a Flow-through Fund might be the way to go. This type of fund allows you to make consistent donations over time.
For those who'd like to support a charity on a long-term basis, an Endowment Fund is a great option. This type of fund lasts forever, so you can rest assured your donation will continue to make a difference.
An Investible flow-through Fund is another option if you want to make an immediate impact and ensure its continuity. This type of fund is invested, but the principal remains untouched.
Here's a quick rundown of the different types of funds:
This table highlights the main characteristics of each type of fund, making it easier to decide which one is right for you.
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Minimum Donation for Fund Start-Up
Setting up a fund can be a significant investment, and one of the first things you'll need to consider is the minimum donation required to get started.
The minimum donation sum to set up a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) varies by institution.
For example, the Community Foundation of Singapore requires a minimum donation of S$200,000, while the Asia Foundation Singapore requires S$1M over 5 years.
If you're a Credit Suisse client, you may be able to access the SymAsia Foundation, which has a minimum donation requirement of S$1M. UBS clients, on the other hand, can access the UBS Singapore Donor Advised Fund with a minimum donation of US$50,000.
Here's a brief summary of the minimum donation requirements for some of the institutions mentioned:
Keep in mind that these requirements may change, so it's essential to check with the institution directly for the most up-to-date information.
Institutions in Singapore
In Singapore, you have a few institutions that can help you set up a donor-advised fund. The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) is one of them, founded in 2008 with a network of over 400 charity partners.
CFS focuses on strategic philanthropy in Singapore, working closely with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and partnering with financial institutions. It collaborates with numerous charities to curate programmes addressing various causes, including accessible quality education, improving employability, mental wellbeing, ageing well, and climate & environment.
Another option is SymAsia Foundation, founded in 2010, which offers strategic opportunities for donors. Its focus areas include education, humanitarian and social development, culture and the arts, and heritage, health and sports, and nature and environment.
If you're looking for a global DAF network, UBS Singapore Donor Advised Fund is a good choice, founded in 2022 and part of a global network. Donors can also tap on UBS Optimus Foundation, a reputed grant-making foundation, and give outside Singapore as well.
Lastly, Asia Community Foundation (ACF) is another option, founded in 2022 with an extensive network of partners in Asia. Donors can donate in Singapore and Asia, and its philanthropy advisors assist with ideating a giving strategy.
Here are the institutions that currently offer DAF services in Singapore:
- Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS)
- SymAsia Foundation
- UBS Singapore Donor Advised Fund
- Asia Community Foundation (ACF)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the downside to a donor-advised fund?
One potential downside to a donor-advised fund is the loss of direct control over donated assets, as the final decision on grants rests with the DAF sponsor. This means you'll have less say in how your donations are used.
What is the best donor-advised fund?
While there isn't a single "best" donor-advised fund, popular options include Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and Vanguard Charitable, each with their own benefits and features. Researching these and other options can help you choose the one that best fits your charitable giving goals.
Sources
- Key benefits of a donor-advised fund (ubs.com)
- UBS Singapore to Merge UBS Donor-Advised Fund & ... (linkedin.com)
- SymAsia Foundation (symasia.com)
- UBS Optimus Foundation (gavi.org)
- Twitter (twitter.com)
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