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How the Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Works

Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund has been helping donors like you give money to favorite charities in an organized, tax-efficient and worry-free way since 1955. You can depend on us to help you realize your philanthropic goals while you support important causes through the donation of a wide range of assets.

Establish your fund

Open your accountBank of America Charitable Gift Fund account and make an irrevocable, tax-deductible contribution to your donor-advised fund.

  • Initial contribution minimum is $25,000; additional contributions are $250 or more
  • If the account balance falls below $25,000 at the end of any quarter, the account will be placed into the Principal Preservation allocation.
  • You can contribute a wide variety of assets layer including cash, mutual funds and securities
  • Non-financial assets such as restricted stock, closely held business interests and real estate can also be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for details.

Deduct your contributions

The Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity, so your contributions are tax-deductible.

  • Receive an immediate tax deduction for your contribution even though grants to charities can be deferred
  • Your account can grow tax-free
  • When you contribute qualified appreciated securities to the Fund, you can claim the full fair-market value of the stock and avoid any capital gains on the contribution. This is also true for other qualified appreciated assets.
  • Contributions you make to the Fund will reduce the value of your taxable estate

Choose how your funds are invested

The Gift Fund offers 8 Investment ObjectivesThe Bank of America Investment choices, a money market fund and seven strategic asset allocation models ranging from All Fixed Income through Appreciation. Under each asset allocation model, you may recommend one of the following:

  • Combined mutual fund and ETF layer portfolio (Hybrid)
  • All-ETF portfolio (passive)

Recommended grants

Make grant recommendations to benefit charities that are important to you.

  • You decide when to make grant recommendations, where to direct them and how much to grant
  • Recommend grants 4 ways: through our secure websiteBank of America Charitable Gift Fund account, via standard mail, by faxadatext or by emailingadatext a scan of the grant recommendation form
  • Receive recognition for your donations or maintain anonymity to protect your privacy
  • Research grantees using the Guidestar® database of 1.8 million IRS–recognized charitable organizations
  • Authorize an unlimited number of individuals to serve as co-advisors to your Fund—an excellent way to build a family tradition of charitable giving

Manage your account online

Access and manage your gift fund account using our simple, secure websiteBank of America Charitable Gift Fund account:

  • Review your fund balance and transactions
  • Research grantees using the Guidestar® database of 1.8 million IRS–recognized charitable organizations
  • Recommend grants
  • Make additional contributions
  • Download useful forms
  • Review fund advisors, profile information, and FAQs

Assets accepted

  • Cash, securities and mutual funds
  • Restricted stock and closely held business interests
  • Real estate, timberland, farms and ranches
  • Gas, oil and mineral rights
  • Non-financial, tangible assets are considered on a case-by-case basis
  • Exchange-traded fund

    An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is a security that tracks an index, a commodity or a basket of assets like an index fund, but trades like a stock on an exchange.

    ETFs are subject to risks similar to those of stocks. Investment returns may fluctuate and are subject to market volatility, so that an investor's shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.