For Financial Advisors
Partner With Us to Serve Your Clients Better
Offer sophisticated charitable giving solutions without the complexity and cost of private foundations.
Help your clients build meaningful legacies while strengthening your advisory relationship.
Why Financial Advisors Choose ASF
The Anthony Spano Foundation provides financial advisors, wealth managers, and estate planning attorneys with a professional, cost-effective alternative to private foundations. Unlike traditional other foundations that focus on geographic regions, we specialize in serving small groups, grassroots initiatives, and individuals who want to create impact without nonprofit complexity. We handle the administrative burden, compliance requirements, and ongoing management, so you can focus on what matters most: serving your clients and helping them achieve their philanthropic goals. As a volunteer-led foundation with professional accounting and investment partnerships, we offer institutional-quality fund management at a fraction of the cost your clients would incur establishing their own foundation. And with no geographic restrictions, you can refer clients nationwide.
Benefits for Your Practice
Strengthen Client Relationships Through Strategic Philanthropy
Â
Expand Your Service Offering
Differentiate your practice by offering sophisticated charitable giving vehicles that help clients integrate philanthropy into their overall wealth management strategy. Position yourself as a trusted advisor for all aspects of their financial life.
Â
Â
Strengthen Client Loyalty
Help clients achieve their charitable goals in a tax-efficient, professionally managed way. When you facilitate their giving, you deepen relationships and create meaningful touchpoints that go beyond traditional financial planning.
Â
Â
Simplify Estate
Planning
Donor-advised funds provide flexible estate planning solutions for clients who want to leave a charitable legacy without the complexity of establishing a private foundation or dealing with ongoing trust administration.
Â
Â
Professional Fund Management
We partner with reputable accounting and investment firms to ensure transparent stewardship and professional oversight. Your clients benefit from institutional-quality management without institutional costs.
Â
Â
Values-Aligned Investing
Help clients align their investments with their values. Our fund structure allows for growth over time, enabling sustained giving and the potential for multi-generational legacy building.
Â
Â
Asset Retention
Keep assets under management while helping clients achieve their philanthropic goals. Donor-advised funds allow clients to contribute appreciated assets, receive immediate tax benefits, and recommend grants over time.
Â
Â
No Geographic Limitations
Refer clients nationwide without restriction. Unlike community foundations tied to specific regions, we support donors and projects anywhere in the United States. Your clients’ location never determines whether we can serve them.
Â
How We Work Together
A Simple, Collaborative Process
Connect
Reach out to discuss your client’s charitable goals and how ASF can support them
Collaborate
We work with you and your client to establish a donor-advised fund tailored to their objectives.Â
Contribute
Your client receives immediate tax benefits while maintaining advisory privileges over grants.
Continue
We handle ongoing administration, compliance, and reporting, you maintain the client relationship.
What We Provide
Comprehensive Support for You and Your Clients
Â
Donor-Advised Funds
Flexible charitable giving accounts that allow your clients to contribute assets, receive immediate tax deductions, and recommend grants to qualified nonprofits over time.
- Immediate tax deduction for contributions
- Professional fund management and investment growth
- Advisory privileges for grant distributions
- Legacy planning and successor designation options
Â
Â
Fiscal Sponsorship for Client Projects
Help clients launch community initiatives without the burden of starting a nonprofit. Our fiscal sponsorship model provides immediate 501(c)(3) status, professional administration, and compliance support for clients passionate about specific causes.
- Immediate tax-exempt status for client projects
- Professional back-office support and compliance
- Lower barrier to entry than forming a nonprofit
- Ideal for memorial funds, community initiatives, or passion projects
- Can be combined with donor-advised funds for comprehensive charitable strategy
Â
Â
Named Funds & Legacy Planning
Help clients establish permanent charitable funds in their name or in honor of loved ones, creating lasting impact for generations to come.
- Permanent endowments or spend-down options
- Family involvement and succession planning
- Recognition and naming opportunities
- Customizable giving strategies
 Â
Administrative & Compliance Support
We handle all the back-office work so your clients can focus on their giving and you can focus on your advisory practice.
- IRS compliance and Form 990 filing
- Grant due diligence and processing
- Quarterly statements and tax documentation
- Professional accounting and audit support
Â
Expert Guidance
Our volunteer board provides hands-on support to help your clients maximize their philanthropic impact while staying compliant.
- Direct access to board members for questions
- Grant recommendation review and processing
- Strategic giving consultation
- Coordination with your planning team
Donor-Advised Funds vs. Private Foundations
Feature
Donor-Advised Fund
Private Foundation
Setup Costs
✓ Minimal
$5,000-$10,000+
Annual Compliance
✓ Handled by ASF
Complex & costly
Tax Deduction Limit
✓ Up to 60% AGI
Up to 30% AGI
Anonymity Option
✓ Yes
Public Disclosure
Minimum Payout
✓ None required
5% annually
Investment Management
✓ Professional
Self-managed
Excise Taxes
✓ None
1-2% on income
Time to Establish
✓ Days/Weeks
Months
**Information provided is for general informational purposes only. Costs, tax benefits, timelines, and compliance requirements may vary. Please consult qualified legal, tax, or financial professionals regarding your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of assets can clients contribute?
A: Clients can contribute cash, publicly traded securities, real estate, private business interests, and other appreciated assets. We work with your team to facilitate complex asset transfers.
Q: How quickly can we establish a fund for a client?
A: Once we have all the necessary information, donor-advised funds can typically be established within a week or so, allowing your client to receive immediate tax benefits.
Q: What are your fees?
A: We charge a small administrative fee to cover operational costs, professional fund management, and compliance support, if applicable. Our volunteer-led model keeps fees significantly lower than private foundations.
Q: Can clients recommend grants to any charity?
A: Yes. Clients can recommend grants to any qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Our board reviews recommendations to ensure IRS compliance while honoring your client’s charitable intent.
Q: How are the funds invested?
A: We partner with reputable investment firm to professionally manage fund assets. Investment strategies balance growth potential with appropriate risk management.
Q: What reporting do clients receive?
A: Clients receive regular statements showing contributions, grants made, investment performance, and current fund balance, plus annual summaries for tax purposes, if requested.
Q: Do you offer fiscal sponsorship in addition to donor-advised funds?
A: Yes. We provide fiscal sponsorship for clients who want to launch specific community initiatives without forming their own nonprofit. This can be an excellent complement to donor-advised funds, clients can use a DAF for broad charitable giving while sponsoring a hands-on project they’re passionate about. Contact us to discuss how both options might serve your clients.