News

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are now more accessible and easier to use for contributing to your favorite charity. Exciting new opportunities for donating through DAFs have emerged recently. We are excited to share that the IEEE Foundation will participate in the inaugural DAF Day on 10 October 2024—this day of giving aims to change perceptions about DAFs and increase their use worldwide.

As you may know, contributions from DAFs and other charitable donations are incredibly valuable to us as we work to expand our programs’ impact. The popularity of DAF giving is on the rise because it offers a meaningful and tax-efficient way to give, and it can better align with your philanthropic goals compared to one-time donations. By setting aside funds in your DAF, you can have more control over your long-term giving impact and can take advantage of employee matching opportunities.

Your contribution could significantly impact our programs, like the IEEE Smart Village (ISV), which has launched the Dacheng Energy Rural Photovoltaic Power-Heating pilot in Changzhi, Shanxi Province, China. This initiative aims to replace coal with solar power to heat homes and businesses in rural China. Another impactful program is the Empower a Billion Lives (EBL) initiative by the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS), which aims to address energy poverty through innovative solutions.

We’ve shared some donors’ perspectives on DAF giving:

Dave and Beverly Green, IEEE Goldsmith Legacy League Members, have chosen to donate to causes they believe in over time, including the IEEE Foundation. They designated the Foundation as the recipient of their DAF to ensure their funds support the organization’s mission.

Lawrence D’Addario, also an IEEE Goldsmith Legacy League Member, emphasized the importance of continued funding to support the IEEE Foundation’s programs into the future. He recommends including the organization in one’s estate plans as an easy way to provide ongoing support.

Dr. Bhagawandas Pannalal “B.P.” and Rajani Lathi, IEEE Heritage Circle, James Clerk Maxwell Level members, have contributed through a DAF contribution to the IEEE community by enhancing recognition and awards for well-written and pedagogically sound textbooks.

We encourage you to spread the word! You can post on social media using the hashtags #DAFDay and #IEEEdoingGood, prompting others with DAFs to donate as well. To learn more, visit the “Support Us Through Donor-Advised Funds” webpage, where you can use DAF Direct to recommend grants directly to our nonprofit from your DAF, simplifying the donation process.