We have designed our process to be straight forward and easy.

1. The authorized representative completes the onboarding online application found on the Forms page. Approximately 10-15 minutes.

2. The donor completes the the onboarding online application found on the Forms page. Approximately 10-15 minutes.

3. Once both accounts are approved by IDAF, a pre-opened account will be assigned to the donor. Contributions to the account can start at this point. The donor and advisor will receive welcome / confirmation emails and letters that list the account number and confidential six digit pins (needed for all future transactions).

4. If the advisor utilizes one of the custodians that IDAF works with. Then a Limited Power Of Attorney (LPOA) form can be completed to transfer the account management to the advisor. Once completed by the custodian, the advisor will be able to begin managing the investments (see the investment guidelines).

5. The IDAF team is here to assist with this process if needed.

No. The service fees are deducted from the donor account.

Yes. IDAF allows advisor management fees of up to 1.5% annually based on the end of billing period balance or the Average Daily Balance. The donor must have a written fee billing arrangement with the advisor. Commissions, fee sharing, and performance based fees are not approved by IDAF.

A billing statement needs to be sent to IDAF at the time of billing.

Advisors can manage and bill fees on accounts of all sizes.

There is no account size minimum.

However, the account needs to maintain enough cash to cover the set up, monthly administration, and grant processing service fees.

Advisors can manage and bill fees on accounts of all sizes.

INVESTMENT POLICY TERMS

In order to ensure that the donor assets are invested in a prudent manner, Innovative Donor Advised Funds (IDAF) has set forth the following investment guidelines:

• Donor advised funds (DAFs) must be appropriately diversified based on articulated investment strategy at all times (e.g., across securities, issuers, sectors and countries)

Approved investments:
• Cash, individual bonds, individual stocks, mutual funds and ETFs
• Professionally managed portfolios are monitored and continuouly aligned with the Investment Policy Statement and Portfolio Design Guidance agreed to by the donor and IDAF
• Innovative Donor Advised Funds (IDAF) reserves the right to determine whether an account should be further diversified. All accounts are subject to the Prohibited Investments and Transactions terms
• The investment allocation target and/or portfolio design will need to be sent to Innovative Donor Advised Funds if requested

PROHIBITED INVESTMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS

The following investments and transactions are prohibited unless otherwise approved by the Trustees:

• Real estate, except as held in a diversified REIT, ETF or mutual fund position
• Closely held entities (i.e., Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnerships, General Partnerships, S Corporations)
• Oil and gas interests
• Non-publicly traded structured products
• Futures, warrants or other leveraged investment strategies that employ derivatives, synthetics or forward contracts
• Promissory notes and mortgages
• Annuities
• Life insurance
• Options
• Alternative investments
• Master limited partnerships (MLPs) that generate unrelated business income tax (UBIT) for tax-exempt investors (generally indicated by the issuance of Form K-1); MLPs that provide 1099 reporting are usually acceptable
• Any other types of investments that may generate unrelated business income tax (UBIT)
• Debt-financed or leveraged investments
• Investments in a participating advisor’s or affiliate’s own stock or debt and investments in for-profit companies
for the purpose of exercising control or management
• Any other types of investments that the Trustees may deem unsuitable or inappropriate

IDAF is currently using Charles Schwab as its custodian. We will be expanding to incorporate other custodians in 2026.

Advisors that do not use Charles Schwab can still utilize our services and submit trade requests to be processed by IDAF for an additional service fee.

Accounts are pre-opened and assigned to donors once their application is approved. This is often completed the same day. Special accommodations can be arranged for last minute donations at years end.

Grant processing time is 7-10 business days on average. This can be expedited when necessary. Grant distributions are made by regular check, expediated delivery check ($20), or wire ($20).

Grant distributions can be anonymous or have specific acknowledgements and instructions.

Grants can be requested by the donor or a authorized third party. The advisor or donor is responsible for journaling the funds for the grant from the donors account to the IDAF clearing account. Grant distributions are processed from the clearing account once approved.