How Can You Make the Most of Your Charitable Giving?

Dec 8, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Julie Sun Wu, the President of DAFgiving360 at Schwab and a philanthropic veteran, shares her extensive expertise on donor-advised funds (DAFs). She demystifies how DAFs operate and highlights their integration into estate planning. Julie dispels common myths, emphasizes the benefits of donating appreciated assets, and reveals how recent tax changes impact charitable contributions. Plus, she discusses the growing trend of impact investing and offers practical tips for researching and selecting charities aligned with personal values.

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ADVICE

Give Appreciated Assets Through DAFs

Donate appreciated assets to a donor-advised fund to receive an immediate tax deduction and avoid capital gains taxes.
Invest contributions in the fund to let them grow before granting to charities for greater future impact.

ADVICE

Match Asset Type To Giving Vehicle

Choose the assets you plan to give and match the vehicle to your timeline and tax goals before contributing.
Use donor-advised funds for non-cash, appreciated assets to maximize charitable value and tax efficiency.

INSIGHT

DAFs Increase Giving, Not Reduce It

Donor-advised funds aren't only for the very wealthy; many have low or no minimums making them broadly accessible.
Users of DAFs often give more overall because contributions can be invested and grow before grant-making.

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After you listen:

Visit DAFgiving360.org to find the all the donor-advised fund resources Julie mentioned and more.
Read "Estate Planning: Lessons from a Loss" to learn how you don't have wait until after death to give to charity and strengthen your legacy.
Listen to the Choiceology episode "Happiness: With Guests Scott Harrison & Mike Norton" to hear more about the behavioral science research showing a link between happiness and generosity.

In this episode of Financial Decoder, Mark Riepe is joined by Julie Sunwoo, president of DAFgiving360™, to discuss the significance of donor-advised funds (DAFs) in charitable giving. Julie explains how DAFs work, their benefits, and how they can be integrated into broader financial strategies like estate planning. Their conversation addresses common misconceptions about DAFs, the impact of tax laws on charitable contributions, and current trends in philanthropic giving. Mark also asks Julie for insight into researching and selecting charities, aligning them with your personal values, and what the future might hold for financial giving.

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Important Disclosures

This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

All names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Contributions of certain real estate, private equity, or other illiquid assets may be accepted via a charitable intermediary, with proceeds transferred to a donor-advised fund (DAF) account upon liquidation. Call DAFgiving360 for more information at 800-746-6216.

A donor opening a professionally managed account must recommend an independent investment advisor, who, if approved by DAFgiving360, will manage the assets contributed to the account. Advisors must meet certain eligibility requirements, including working with Schwab Advisor Services™, a business segment of The Charles Schwab Corporation, and agree to the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Market fluctuations may cause the value of investment fund shares held in a donor-advised fund (DAF) account to be worth more or less than the value of the original contribution to the funds.

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

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