Debbie Jukes
Many of us reach a point in life where our financial plans are well in hand, our families are secure, and we find ourselves asking: “What next?”
For a growing number of Equilibrium clients, the answer lies in leaving a lasting legacy – not just for those they love, but for the world around them.
That’s where our Equilibrium Donor Advised Fund (DAF) comes in: a simple, flexible and tax-efficient way to make your philanthropy truly count. In effect, the DAF is an ‘umbrella’ within which you can create your own charitable account.
More than just giving
There’s a meaningful difference between writing a cheque to a worthy cause and pursuing philanthropy with real intent.
The former is a generous impulse; the latter is a strategy. As the authors of Advising Philanthropists put it: “earning money is one thing – giving it away with intelligence and consideration is altogether more challenging”.1
This is where the Equilibrium DAF sets itself apart. Rather than leaving you to navigate the charitable landscape alone, we provide access to our dedicated philanthropy adviser, who will work with you to identify the sector or causes closest to your heart – whether that’s education, health, the arts, animal welfare or any number of other areas. Crucially, they won’t just point you in a direction; they’ll research the organisations within your chosen field to identify where your money will genuinely make the greatest difference, selecting best-in-class charities where your grant will have the most impact.
The power of collective giving
One of the most compelling features of the Equilibrium DAF is what happens as more clients choose to give in this way. When multiple donors share a passion for the same cause, their contributions can be pooled together – creating grants of a scale that no single donor could achieve alone. The result is a level of philanthropic impact that goes far beyond what any individual gift might accomplish. This is philanthropy at its most powerful.
Give now, or give later – the choice is yours
The Equilibrium DAF is designed to fit around your life and your wishes. You can make donations into your DAF during your lifetime, choosing when and to whom the money is distributed. This means you can watch your giving make a difference in real time – and there’s something profoundly rewarding about that. You’ll receive an annual statement showing both the value of your DAF account and the grants that have been made, so you’re always fully informed about the impact you’re having.
Equally, if you’d prefer your philanthropic legacy to begin after your lifetime, we can help you to include a gift to the DAF in your will. To make this as straightforward as possible, we can assist with a simple codicil (where appropriate) – a short addition to your existing will – so there’s no need to rewrite the whole document.
A family affair
Philanthropy can also be a wonderful way to bring the generations together. The Equilibrium DAF gives you the opportunity to involve your children or grandchildren in decisions about which causes to support – sharing your values, sparking meaningful conversations, and creating a sense of shared purpose that can endure long after you’re gone.
Your investment, your objectives
When you establish your DAF, we’ll work with you from the outset to agree an investment strategy that reflects how you want to use the fund. Whether you’d like to make grants sustainably over many decades – perhaps in perpetuity – or prefer to distribute the funds more quickly over a defined period, the approach will be tailored to your objectives and reviewed as part of your annual planning meeting.
Without the administrative burden
For those who have considered setting up their own charitable foundation, the Equilibrium DAF offers all the meaningful benefits but without the complexity. Creating and running a private foundation involves significant administrative, legal and governance responsibilities that can quickly become burdensome.
The DAF removes all of that. It is free to set up for Equilibrium clients, and the Equilibrium Charitable Trust (the registered charity name of the DAF) handles all ongoing administration, reporting and due diligence on your behalf.
Your account can be established immediately, named after your family or your chosen cause, and you can begin advising on donations straight away.
Ready to find out more?
If you’ve ever thought about making a lasting difference – to a cause you care about, to your community, or to the world your grandchildren will inherit – we’d love to have that conversation with you.
Speak to your Equilibrium financial planner or contact us on 0161 486 2250 to find out how the Equilibrium Donor Advised Fund could become one of the most meaningful parts of your financial plan.
Please note: Once a donation has been made to the Equilibrium Charitable Trust, it is irrevocable and cannot be returned to you or your family. You should consider carefully before making your gift. The Equilibrium Charitable Trust is a registered charity, Charity Commission number 1200657.
(1) Advising philanthropists: Principles and practice, Beeston and Breeze, 2023
