The Dayton Foundation helps its donors help others

Betsy Whitney and her husband opened a Charitable Checking Account with The Dayton Foundation in 1984. Nearly 40 years later, Whitney says it’s one of the best decisions she’s ever made.

“It gave us an easy opportunity to support the groups we loved and admired,” Whitney says.

Since 1921, The Dayton Foundation has provided resources and services for individuals, families and organizations who want to give back to the community. By giving through the foundation, donors head off the risk of fraud and can be sure that their money is going to legitimate charities.

For the Whitneys, that meant giving back to groups they knew and loved like the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, YMCA Camp Kern, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Dayton History—but prospective donors interested in giving through The Dayton Foundation can choose to give to organizations that align with their own favorite causes.

The Charitable Checking Account is one of the foundation’s most popular ways to give.

With no minimum balance and no fees, Michelle Lovely, The Dayton Foundation’s senior vice president of Development and Donor Services, says this donor-advised fund option is a perfect introduction to giving.

“A common misconception about The Dayton Foundation is that you have to be super wealthy to open a fund through us,” Lovely adds. “The Charitable Checking Account’s a great option for anyone of any giving means to give back to the organizations and causes important to them.”

Donors have complete control over where the money in their Charitable Checking Accounts goes. Donations from the account can be made recurring or at will—and donors can open an account before they’ve decided where they want to direct the funds.

“What’s nice about donor-advised funds is you get a tax deduction in the year when you put money into your fund, then you may take your time deciding which charitable organizations or causes you want to support,” Lovely says.

It was important to Whitney and her late husband that they pass their value of charitable giving on to the next generation, so they opened accounts for their three children. Whitney says her children—now grown up and living across the country with their own families—continue to use their accounts with The Dayton Foundation to give back to organizations in their local communities.

“It’s seamless for them,” Whitney says. “I don’t know of any other foundations that do this as well as ours.”

Some donors open a Charitable Checking Account knowing exactly how and where they want to give their money. But others aren’t sure. The Dayton Foundation is happy to sit down with prospective donors to talk about their options when it comes to giving.

“We’re a resource!” Lovely says. “If you don’t know what nonprofits are helping in your field of interest, or you don’t know if you’re giving in the most tax-efficient manner, reach out to us. We’re here to help you help others.”

Visit daytonfoundation.org to learn more about opening a Charitable Checking Account or other ways to give.