Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)

Be part of the progress our community needs...

Give Through Your Donor-Advised Fund

Invest in a stronger Northern Shenandoah Valley.

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) allows you to give strategically, tax-efficiently, and with purpose. When you recommend a DAF grant to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, your philanthropy becomes part of a coordinated community investment portfolio designed to stabilize families, strengthen systems, and prevent crises before they escalate.

A DAF gift to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley is an investment in the long-term health and resilience of our region. When you give through your DAF, your philanthropy is placed into a diversified community investment portfolio that no other local funder offers at this scale. United Way is uniquely positioned as a community development intermediary, aligning dollars across housing, food, health, education, and family stability to maximize impact, stabilize families, and strengthen the Valley as a whole.

Giving through your DAF is not just a donation. It is an investment in the future of our region.

How the Community Invests

United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley manages a coordinated community investment portfolio:

  • 45% in Housing and Homelessness
    Emergency shelter, eviction prevention, domestic violence housing, housing-related legal aid, and affordable housing development.

  • 20% in Food Security
    Food pantries, child nutrition programs, and regional food distribution that keep households fed during financial stress.

  • 18% in Health (medical, dental, behavioral)
    Clinics and programs providing care for uninsured and under-resourced residents.

  • 12% in Education and Youth Development
    Academic support, enrichment programs, scholarships, and youth advocacy for children and young adults facing instability.

  • 5% in Cross-Cutting Family Stabilization
    Flexible supports such as utilities, transportation, clothing, and emergency assistance that prevent small crises from becoming larger ones.

This portfolio approach ensures your gift strengthens the entire system rather than a single program.

Community Progress Requires Your Investment

Logo DAF Direct

 

A Donor-Advised Fund, or DAF, offers a meaningful way to invest in the future of our community.

When you recommend a grant to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, your gift is placed into a coordinated community investment portfolio supporting housing, food security, health, education, and family stability across the region.

Your DAF gift is more than a contribution. It is leadership in action.

Suggested minimum DAF gift: $1,500
This level helps ensure your gift supports the full community investment portfolio rather than a single service area.

Give through your DAF using DAF Direct ➔DAF Direct connects you to many of the nation’s largest DAF providers, including Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and others.

If your provider is not available through DAF Direct, you can recommend a grant by searching for:

United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley
EIN: 54-0525106

Questions or assistance?
We are happy to help you make the most of your DAF giving.
Call us at 540-536-1610

If your provider is not available through DAF Direct, you can recommend a grant directly from your Donor-Advised Fund by searching for:

United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley
EIN: 54-0525106

For Your DAF Provider

Legal Name:
United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley

Employer Identification Number (EIN):
54-0525106

Mailing Address:
United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley
329 N. Cameron Street, Suite 201
Winchester, VA 22601

Suggested Designation:
Where Most Needed
(Invests your gift across United Way’s full community impact portfolio.)

Important Note:
Donor-Advised Fund grants cannot be used to fulfill personal pledges or to provide goods or services in exchange for a donation.

Questions or Assistance

We are happy to help you make the most of your DAF giving.
Call us at 540-536-1610

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) FAQs

Why give through a Donor-Advised Fund to United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley?
Giving through your DAF is a way to invest in the long-term health and resilience of our community. Your gift is placed into a coordinated community investment portfolio that supports housing, food security, health, education, and family stability. This approach strengthens families, stabilizes essential systems, and supports long-term regional resilience.

How does United Way steward my DAF gift?
United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley manages every contribution with care, transparency, and accountability. Community investments are made through a competitive, outcome-driven grant process and are monitored through regular reporting and performance review to ensure funds are used effectively and aligned with documented community needs.

Is my DAF gift tax-deductible?
Tax receipts are issued by your Donor-Advised Fund provider at the time you contribute to your DAF, in accordance with IRS regulations. United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley does not provide tax advice. Donors are encouraged to consult with their financial or tax advisor regarding their individual circumstances.

Please note that Donor-Advised Fund grants cannot be used to fulfill personal pledges or to provide goods or services in exchange for a donation.

Will I receive an acknowledgment?
Yes. United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley will acknowledge receipt of your DAF grant. This acknowledgment will confirm that no goods or services were provided in exchange for your gift.

Can my gift be anonymous?
Yes. Many Donor-Advised Fund providers allow you to recommend grants anonymously. If you choose to share your name, we will thank you personally. If you choose to remain anonymous, your gift will still be stewarded and invested with the same care and impact.

Is there a minimum or maximum gift amount?
We suggest a minimum DAF grant of $1,500 so your gift can meaningfully support the full community investment portfolio. There is no maximum gift amount.

Gifts designated “where most needed” allow United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley to use current data and up-to-date community research to direct funds where they will have the greatest impact. Larger gifts may be invested across multiple priority areas and play an important role in strengthening long-term community stability.

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