The Year of Donor-Advised Funds?

Many charities dislike donor-advised funds – they want direct donations now, not gifts, possibly larger, in the future. Many individuals and families love them.

According to data in the WSJ,  contributions to donor-advised funds have grown by double digit rates for seven years in a row. At the end of 2015, donor-advised funds held more than $78 billion. And that was after paying out over $14 billion to charities during the year.

Could President-elect Trump's proposed income tax changes, including a large standard deduction and a cap on itemized deductions, slow the growth of donor-advised funds in years to come?

Will donors try to beat the tax changes with a surge in donations this year?