A donor-advised fund (DAF) allows you to make a charitable donation to a public charity and then recommend grants over time. National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), among the largest independent DAF sponsors in the U.S., supports this process with its GivingPoint portal, accepts a broad array of assets—including real estate and cryptocurrency—and enables family members or advisors to take part in your charitable planning. Below is a detailed guide designed to help you confidently establish and manage an NPT DAF. Snapshot: What You Should Know First Minimum opening contribution: $10,000 Assets accepted: cash, publicly traded securities, closely held stock, real estate, cryptocurrency, and other non-cash contributions (subject to review/liquidation guidelines) Online platform: GivingPoint, which manages registration, contributions, grant recommendations, and advisor access Typical minimum grant: $250 per NPT’s donor materials Part 1 — Preparation Steps Select who will serve as donor(s) and advisor(s) or successor advisors. NPT permits multiple advisors but generally does not allow minors to serve before age 18. Choose a name for your fund—either descriptive or anonymous. Gather essential personal or organizational identification: legal names, dates of birth or tax ID numbers, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Business entities should also have governing documents and authorized-signer records. Consult a tax professional about the implications of giving appreciated assets such as securities, crypto, or real estate. Part 2 — Opening an NPT DAF 1. Register Using GivingPoint Go to NPT’s GivingPoint portal, select “Register as a New User,” and follow the identity verification steps. The portal will serve as your central management system. 2. Complete the Donor Application After registering, fill out the online donor application. Some donors may complete this step through a trusted advisor or by phone. 3. Make the Initial Contribution ($10,000 minimum) Contribute an eligible asset such as cash or securities. NPT’s instructions explain how to transfer each asset class. Non-cash property often requires extra review. Once the funds clear, the account is active. 4. Select Your Investment Approach and Advisors Choose from NPT’s investment pools or pursue a customized strategy if your account meets the required thresholds. You may also add professional or family advisors. 5. Access Your Online Dashboard After NPT validates the application and contribution, your GivingPoint dashboard becomes available. This is where you can review account balances and activity. Part 3 — Managing Your Fund A. Additional Contributions You may contribute additional assets any time. Some contribution types or international affiliates may have minimums. Use GivingPoint or work directly with NPT for more complex gifts. B. Recommending Grants Submit recommendations online through GivingPoint. NPT will verify charitable status and apply international rules when necessary. Processing time is standard, and the portal includes educational resources. C. Adding Family or Advisors Include others as fund or successor advisors to maintain continuity in your philanthropic plan. Assign responsibilities such as grant recommendation authority. D. Investment Oversight Reallocate among available investment pools or request a customized plan—accounts of $500,000+ may be eligible. Investment growth can expand grantmaking potential, though it involves risk. E. Recordkeeping NPT provides annual statements and contribution receipts. Maintain these along with grant confirmations for tax records. Part 4 — Fees, Minimums, and Additional Topics Fees: Administrative and investment-related fees vary by account size, asset type, and chosen investment strategy. Consult NPT’s materials for details. Minimum grant: Typically $250, as outlined in donor documentation. International donors: Requirements differ for NPT UK and Transatlantic accounts, including higher opening minimums in the UK. Part 5 — Helpful Reminders If you plan to contribute illiquid assets—including crypto, private equity, or real estate—contact NPT early for guidance and documentation requirements. For multigenerational involvement, consider appointing successor advisors, setting up advisory committees, or drafting a family giving statement. If you want a deduction for the current year, complete contributions before year-end and verify acceptance with NPT. Consult a tax advisor for timing. Explore GivingPoint’s FAQs, PDF guides, and video tutorials. Quick Checklist Register at nptgivingpoint.org Complete the Donor Application Contribute the required $10,000 Set investment allocations and add advisors Begin issuing grants via GivingPoint Available Support GivingPoint portal resources NPT’s donor guides and contribution documentation NPT Philanthropic Services for help with complex gifts Final Notes These instructions reflect NPT’s latest published materials regarding minimums, accepted asset types, and GivingPoint functionality. Requirements and fees vary by region and may change over time, so confirm any specifics directly with NPT.

Navigating Your NPT Donor-Advised Fund: How to Open, Fund, and Manage It

by

A donor-advised fund (DAF) allows you to make a charitable donation to a public charity and then recommend grants over time. National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), among the largest independent DAF sponsors in the U.S., supports this process with its GivingPoint portal, accepts a broad array of assets—including real estate and cryptocurrency—and enables family members or advisors to take part in your charitable planning.

Below is a detailed guide designed to help you confidently establish and manage an NPT DAF.

Snapshot: What You Should Know First

  • Minimum opening contribution: $10,000
  • Assets accepted: cash, publicly traded securities, closely held stock, real estate, cryptocurrency, and other non-cash contributions (subject to review/liquidation guidelines)
  • Online platform: GivingPoint, which manages registration, contributions, grant recommendations, and advisor access
  • Typical minimum grant: $250 per NPT’s donor materials

Part 1 — Preparation Steps

Select who will serve as donor(s) and advisor(s) or successor advisors. NPT permits multiple advisors but generally does not allow minors to serve before age 18.

Choose a name for your fund—either descriptive or anonymous.

Gather essential personal or organizational identification: legal names, dates of birth or tax ID numbers, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Business entities should also have governing documents and authorized-signer records.

Consult a tax professional about the implications of giving appreciated assets such as securities, crypto, or real estate.

Part 2 — Opening an NPT DAF

1. Register Using GivingPoint

Go to NPT’s GivingPoint portal, select “Register as a New User,” and follow the identity verification steps. The portal will serve as your central management system.

2. Complete the Donor Application

After registering, fill out the online donor application. Some donors may complete this step through a trusted advisor or by phone.

3. Make the Initial Contribution ($10,000 minimum)

Contribute an eligible asset such as cash or securities. NPT’s instructions explain how to transfer each asset class. Non-cash property often requires extra review. Once the funds clear, the account is active.

4. Select Your Investment Approach and Advisors

Choose from NPT’s investment pools or pursue a customized strategy if your account meets the required thresholds. You may also add professional or family advisors.

5. Access Your Online Dashboard

After NPT validates the application and contribution, your GivingPoint dashboard becomes available. This is where you can review account balances and activity.

Part 3 — Managing Your Fund

A. Additional Contributions

You may contribute additional assets any time. Some contribution types or international affiliates may have minimums. Use GivingPoint or work directly with NPT for more complex gifts.

B. Recommending Grants

Submit recommendations online through GivingPoint. NPT will verify charitable status and apply international rules when necessary. Processing time is standard, and the portal includes educational resources.

C. Adding Family or Advisors

Include others as fund or successor advisors to maintain continuity in your philanthropic plan. Assign responsibilities such as grant recommendation authority.

D. Investment Oversight

Reallocate among available investment pools or request a customized plan—accounts of $500,000+ may be eligible. Investment growth can expand grantmaking potential, though it involves risk.

E. Recordkeeping

NPT provides annual statements and contribution receipts. Maintain these along with grant confirmations for tax records.

Part 4 — Fees, Minimums, and Additional Topics

  • Fees: Administrative and investment-related fees vary by account size, asset type, and chosen investment strategy. Consult NPT’s materials for details.
  • Minimum grant: Typically $250, as outlined in donor documentation.
  • International donors: Requirements differ for NPT UK and Transatlantic accounts, including higher opening minimums in the UK.

Part 5 — Helpful Reminders

If you plan to contribute illiquid assets—including crypto, private equity, or real estate—contact NPT early for guidance and documentation requirements.

For multigenerational involvement, consider appointing successor advisors, setting up advisory committees, or drafting a family giving statement.

If you want a deduction for the current year, complete contributions before year-end and verify acceptance with NPT. Consult a tax advisor for timing.

Explore GivingPoint’s FAQs, PDF guides, and video tutorials.

Quick Checklist

  • Register at nptgivingpoint.org
  • Complete the Donor Application
  • Contribute the required $10,000
  • Set investment allocations and add advisors
  • Begin issuing grants via GivingPoint

Available Support

  • GivingPoint portal resources
  • NPT’s donor guides and contribution documentation
  • NPT Philanthropic Services for help with complex gifts

Final Notes

These instructions reflect NPT’s latest published materials regarding minimums, accepted asset types, and GivingPoint functionality. Requirements and fees vary by region and may change over time, so confirm any specifics directly with NPT.

Leave a Comment