A Giving Account You May Already Have

Year-End Giving

Each month, a number of St. Monica’s gifts come from donor-advised funds—DAFs. Behind each one is a parishioner who set up a giving account and named the parish as one of the places it supports. Here’s how they work, who they suit, and how to send a grant our way.

The Basics

What Is a Donor-Advised Fund?

A DAF is a charitable giving account held by a sponsoring public charity, such as Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable or a community foundation. You put money in—cash, or often appreciated stock—and take the tax deduction in the year you contribute.

Think of it as an account set aside only for giving: you make the decision to give once, and you choose where it goes later, without pressure.

How It Works

Three Steps, on Your Timeline

Step 1
You Give
Contribute cash or appreciated stock to your DAF.
Deduction this year
Step 2
It Waits
The balance can be invested and grow, tax-free, until you’re ready.
No deadline to grant
Step 3
You Recommend Grants
Send grants to St. Monica and the other charities you love.
As often as you like

Why People Use Them

Simple, Flexible, Tax-Smart

Giving stock. Appreciated shares given to a DAF generally avoid capital gains tax and earn a deduction at full market value.
Bunching. Households that itemize can give several years’ worth in one year, then grant it out steadily.
Simple records. One receipt from the sponsor instead of a stack of them.

New for 2026

A Change Worth Knowing This Year

Federal tax law changed how charitable gifts are deducted, starting with the 2026 tax year. Which side are you on?

You Take the Standard Deduction

You can now deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly) of cash gifts made directly to charities.
Contributions to a DAF don’t count toward that deduction.
Giving directly to the parish may be your better route.

You Itemize

Giving is deductible only above a small floor: 0.5% of your adjusted gross income.
A DAF still works well, especially for gifts of stock or bunching several years at once.

This is general information, not tax advice. Your tax adviser can tell you which approach fits your situation.

Already Have a DAF?

How to Send a Grant to St. Monica

Log in to your DAF sponsor’s website.
Look for an option such as “Recommend a Grant” or “Give.”
Search for the parish.
Use the legal name and Tax ID below so the grant reaches the right St. Monica.
Share your name and address with us.
Most sponsors let you choose. When a grant comes in anonymously, we can’t thank you or connect it to your household’s giving.
Add a purpose.
“Christmas” or “Offertory” sends the gift where you mean it to go.
Recommend by early December for Christmas.
Sponsors can take a few days to a few weeks to send payment. Your deduction was taken when you funded the account, so the date the grant reaches us doesn’t affect your taxes.

Legal Name and Tax ID

ST MONICAS CATHOLIC CHURCH

Tax ID (EIN): 95-1642385

725 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403

DAF grants can’t pay for anything that gives you something in return, such as event tickets, dinners or raffle entries.

New to the Idea?

Opening One Is Easier Than You’d Think

Most major brokerages and many community foundations sponsor DAFs, and opening one is usually an afternoon’s work. Start with the firm that already holds your investments—chances are it offers one.

More Ways to Give

Generosity Comes in More Shapes Than a Check

A DAF is one way to support St. Monica. Look around your financial life—you might find another that fits you even better.

Shares that have grown?

Give Stock

Skip the capital gains and give the full value of appreciated securities.

Explore Stock Gifts

Age 70½ or older?

Give from Your IRA

A qualified charitable distribution goes straight to the parish and can count toward your required minimum distribution.

Explore IRA Gifts

Car you no longer drive?