The donor-advised fund (DAF) has become an increasingly popular way to make a charitable gift. DAFs provide immediate tax benefits along with a centralized way to manage current and future charitable giving. Many Bentley donors have established their own DAF accounts at community foundations, public charities with a DAF program or investment companies that sponsor DAFs. Donors can use these accounts to recommend one-time or recurring grants to qualified charitable organizations such as Bentley.

If you have a donor-advised fund account and would like to help Bentley students continue to benefit from a vibrant learning experience now or in the future, here are two simple ways you can use your DAF account to help you accomplish your philanthropic goals:

To support Bentley now you can recommend a one-time or recurring grant:

1. Let us know that you plan to direct a gift to Bentley and how you would like it to be used once it is received.
    
2. Contact your DAF administrator to learn the process for recommending a grant. Often a form will need to be completed for which you may need Bentley’s tax identification number: 04-1081650. The DAF administrator will send a check to Bentley. It should be made out to “Bentley University” and your name should be referenced directly on it or on its accompanying documentation. The check should be sent to:

   Office of University Advancement
   LaCava Center 276
   Bentley University
   175 Forest Street
   Waltham, MA 02452

3. Complete and submit the form to your DAF administrator.
    

To support Bentley in the future you can designate Bentley to receive all or a portion of your DAF account’s value upon its termination. (Keep in mind that if you do not name a qualified charity to receive the remainder of your account, the DAF sponsor institution may keep the assets remaining in your account and distribute them for charitable purposes or to charitable organizations of their own choosing.):

1. Let us know that you plan to direct a future gift to Bentley and how you would like it to be used once it is received.
    
2. Contact your DAF administrator to learn the process for naming Bentley as a final charitable beneficiary of your account. Often a form will need to be completed for which you may need Bentley’s tax identification number: 04-1081650. Bentley’s legal name is Bentley University and final distribution checks should be sent to:

   Office of Gift Planning
   LaCava Center 276
   Bentley University
   175 Forest Street
   Waltham, MA 02452

3. Complete and submit the form to your DAF administrator.
    

If additional information about Bentley is requested by your DAF administrator, or if you have any questions about planning a gift to Bentley now, or in the future, please feel free to contact us for assistance.