Donor Advised Funds

A Flexible Way to Give with Purpose

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

 – 2 Corinthians 9:7

Donor Advised Funds

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a flexible and tax-efficient charitable giving account that allows individuals, families, or organizations to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to Catholic ministries and other charitable organizations over time.


With a DAF through the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana, you can make a lasting impact on the causes that matter most to you, while ensuring that your investments align with Catholic social teaching and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) guidelines on socially responsible investing.

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Why Establish a Donor Advised Fund?

Strategic Philanthropy

Plan your giving over time rather than making one-time donations.

Tax Benefits

Receive an immediate charitable tax deduction when contributing to your fund.

Faith-Aligned Giving

Ensure your charitable impact reflects your Catholic values.

Legacy of Generosity

Involve your family in faith-filled philanthropy for generations.

How It Works

  1. Establish Your Fund — A donor irrevocably transfers cash, securities, or other assets to the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana.
  2. Recommend Grants — As the fund advisor, you can suggest grants to Catholic entities and other qualified charities over time.
  3. Grow Your Impact — The fund is professionally managed, with investments guided by the USCCB guidelines on socially responsible investing.
  4. Create a Lasting Legacy — Your generosity continues in perpetuity, supporting the Catholic causes that matter most to you.



Types of Donor Advised Funds

  • Endowed Donor Advised Fund — The principal remains invested permanently, with only the earnings and market gains available for distribution. This ensures forever faithful support to Catholic ministries.
  • Provisional Donor Advised Fund — Allows both earnings and principal to be distributed, providing more immediate flexibility for grantmaking.

Key Considerations

Before establishing a Donor Advised Fund, here are important details to consider:

  • Minimum Contribution — A minimum gift of $10,000 is required to establish a DAF. Additional contributions are welcomed at any time.
  • Grant Distributions — Donors can recommend grants to Catholic entities and other 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The Catholic Legacy Foundation encourages at least 50% of annual distributions to support Catholic ministries in the Acadiana region. Grants cannot be used to fulfill personal pledges, memberships, or benefits (such as event tickets).
  • Investment & Management — All Donor Advised Funds are invested under the oversight of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Funds may be pooled with other investments to maximize growth while ensuring compliance with Catholic social teaching and USCCB investment guidelines. Fundholders receive regular reports on fund activity, investment performance, and grants awarded.
  • Administrative Fees — A mission support fee is applied to cover administrative and investment management costs. Fees are assessed annually and follow the Foundation’s current fee structure.

Get StartedToday

Ready to create a donor advised fund?

Creating a Donor Advised Fund is a powerful way to strengthen the mission of the Church and make a lasting impact. To begin, contact us today.


Phone (337) 261-5642 | Email mtrahan@CLFAinc.org | Contact Us