So it has been a while since establishing a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) through Vanguard, and in the process I discovered a few techniques for harnessing these beasts that seem worthy of note. As for all things in life, if I’d known a bit more earlier, there would have been considerable gain/pain avoided, so perhaps others can learn a few things from this experience.

Týr learns a few things setting up his DAF (Bauer 1911)

DAFs are a great tool, so the opportunities for improvement are really more about refinements rather than a vicious critique; don’t let this commentary preclude you from advancing. Here are a few topics for consideration if you are contemplating a DAF:

  1. Looking further ahead – charge the “Converter”
  2. Looking further abroad
  3. Sandboxing your SWR

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