Longtime Physical Therapist Gives through DAF to Support the Profession

Focus your charitable giving to the causes that matter to you through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). With a DAF, donors choose to deposit donations into an account with a sponsoring organization that will grow in value and will later be granted to charities of your choice over time, while you receive immediate charitable tax deductions.

A Donor Advised Fund, otherwise known as a DAF, is a giving mechanism that is handled by a third-party charitable sponsor. Few donors know of this easy and convenient giving option that allows charitable investments to multiply while receiving immediate tax-cuts.

Longtime donors, Stuart H. Platt, PT, MSPT, and his wife, Kathy, have been using this strategy of giving to support the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR) for several years. Their reasons: simplicity, flexibility, and tax-efficiency.

The Platts find this form of giving efficient because it allows them to designate multiple donations to a 501(c)3 of their choosing. In doing so, the DAF, handles all their record keeping and tax management. It also allows them to time their tax deduction separate from their charitable donation. Additionally, a DAF can convert any stock or mutual fund into cash for donations. Finally, a DAF allows long-term investments while eliminating capital gain taxes.

“A DAF makes it easier to execute the strategy of bunching donations for tax advantages while maintaining your passion of consistent annual support to charities,” said the Platts.

Platt has been a practicing physical therapist for over 30 years and a past house speaker for the American Physical Therapy Association’s House of Delegates. He is a strong believer of the power physical therapy can have on healthcare. “There are many facets to the profession, and this is my way of contributing to the facet of research, so that the entire physical therapy community can benefit,” said Stuart.

DAFs are slowly growing in popularity, but not many completely understand the advantages. “I think people need to also think of philanthropic giving as a strategy as opposed to just a feeling,” said Stuart. “Using investments that have appreciated in value so that the charity gets the maximum contribution and the individual avoids getting hit with a tax, is a win win.”

Learn how to setup a DAF. Or, if you currently have a DAF through Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable or BNY Mellon, you can make a gift here. For other sponsoring organizations or for help on how to get started, call the FPTR Development staff at 703-706-8595.