Donate from Your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) or Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

A tax-smart way to support Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala

If you give through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you may be able to support Fundamaya in a way that is simple, efficient, and aligned with your long-term philanthropic goals. These forms of giving are especially popular among supporters in the United States and Canada, and are often used as part of thoughtful legacy or annual giving strategies.

Can I Donate to Fundamaya from My Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?

Yes. You can recommend a grant from your Donor-Advised Fund to Fundamaya, subject to your DAF sponsor’s policies.

A Donor-Advised Fund is a charitable giving account established at a public charity or financial institution. Once assets are placed in a DAF, donors may recommend grants to qualified nonprofit organizations over time.

Why Donors Choose to Give Through a DAF

Donors often use DAFs to:

Simplify charitable giving
Make grants over time from one account
Separate the timing of tax benefits from the timing of gifts
Support organizations they care about with flexibility

Benefits of Donating from a DAF

Benefits to You as a Donor

Simple and convenient way to give
No need to manage receipts or valuations for each gift
Ability to recommend grants at any time
Opportunity to involve family members in philanthropy
Supports intentional, values-based giving

(DAF grants do not provide additional tax deductions at the time of the grant, as the deduction is generally taken when assets are contributed to the DAF.)

Benefits to Fundamaya

Reliable and efficient funding
Lower administrative costs
Flexibility to direct funds where they are most needed
Support for long-term, community-led programs

Can I Donate to Fundamaya from My IRA?

In the United States, donors age 70½ or older may be able to donate directly from an IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), subject to IRS rules.

A QCD allows eligible donors to transfer funds directly from an IRA to a qualified nonprofit organization, without the distribution being counted as taxable income.

(IRA charitable distributions are generally a U.S.-specific option. Canadian and Guatemalan donors are encouraged to speak with their advisors about retirement-account giving options available in their country.)

Benefits of Donating from an IRA (U.S.)

Benefits to You as a Donor

May reduce taxable income
Can count toward required minimum distributions (RMDs)
Simple way to give from assets that may otherwise be heavily taxed
Allows cash to remain available for personal needs

Benefits to Fundamaya

Immediate support for mission-driven work
Predictable funding from committed supporters
Reduced fundraising and processing costs

DAFs and IRAs as Part of Your Legacy Planning

Many donors choose to name Fundamaya as a beneficiary of their Donor-Advised Fund or IRA as part of their estate plans. This can be a meaningful way to:

Pass on values alongside financial assets
Reduce tax burdens on heirs
Ensure long-term support for Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala

Beneficiary designations are often easy to update and can complement a will or trust.

Important Notes

Rules governing DAFs, IRAs, and retirement accounts vary by country and institution
Fundamaya does not provide legal or tax advice
We encourage all donors to consult with their financial, legal, or tax advisor

Let’s Start the Conversation

If you would like to donate from your Donor-Advised Fund or IRA—or include Fundamaya as a beneficiary—we would be glad to help.

Contact: Dwight Mara
Phone: 1-858-388-9958

Email: info@fundamaya.org or dwight@fundamaya.org
Suggested subject line: DAF or IRA Donation Inquiry

Purposeful Giving, Lasting Impact

Gifts from Donor-Advised Funds and IRAs help provide steady, flexible support for Fundamaya’s work with Indigenous Maya communities in Guatemala. Your generosity strengthens community leadership, resilience, and self-determination—today and for generations to come.

Fundamaya partners with Indigenous Maya communities, centering dignity, local leadership, and long-term sustainability in all of our work.