frequently asked questions

Whenever you top up your CAF American Donor Fund, we will send you two receipts. One receipt should be submitted to HMRC with your annual self assessment forms. The other should be submitted to the IRS with your US tax return.

Whilst it is our intention to provide you with innovative tax effective services to support your philanthropy goals, we are unable to give you tax advice. You should always consult a tax adviser for accurate advice on your tax planning.

Gift Aid is a UK tax relief scheme designed to benefit charities and individuals making donations. Charities are able to reclaim the basic rate of income tax on donations that they have received, while higher rate tax payers can claim back the difference between the rates. You can find out more about the scheme here.

You can donate to charities worldwide*. Let us know which charities you would like to support and we will confirm that they are eligible to receive your gift.

(*Make gifts from the CAF American Donor Fund to charitable organisations around the world, provided these are of good repute and either are already recognised or are capable of being recognised as charitable under UK and US law.)

All donations have to be to organisations whose activities would be deemed charitable in the US and UK. You are unable to request donations where you would receive more than an incidental benefit in return (for example, school or membership fees, subscriptions, goods or services). You are also unable to fund political parties or candidates.

Yes – simply complete an Additional Signatory Form for each person that you would like to be able to recommend grants from your fund. They will not be able to make changes to the fund, appoint other signatories or successors.

Yes, company match payments can be applied to your fund – check your company policy on matching donations.

Yes – simply let us know that you would prefer us not to share your information.

When you are ready to make a donation from your fund, you can make a donation online or fill in a Grant Request Form and send it to us at cadf@cafonline.org.

• You can make donations, big or small, whenever you choose.
• Donations can be made worldwide*, providing that the organisation operates in a way that would be recognised as charitable under UK and US law.
  
  

(*Make gifts from the CAF American Donor Fund to charitable organisations around the world, provided these are of good repute and either are already recognised or are capable of being recognised as charitable under UK and US law.)

You can either register for an account online, or you can let us know when you are ready to open your account and we will send you the necessary forms to complete. You can contact us at cadf@cafonline.org or by calling 03000 123 150.

The American Donor Fund* is a smart, tax-effective way for dual taxpayers to give to charity. If you file tax returns in both the UK and the US, the CAF American Donor Fund allows you to achieve greater impact with your philanthropy by helping you claim the maximum reliefs available in both countries.

*The American Donor Fund is the trading name of Southampton Row Trust Ltd, a UK-based charitable company registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (Registered company number 3900842. Registered charity number 1079020). Southampton Row Trust Ltd is wholly owned by CAF America, a US 501 (c)(3) public charity. CAF America Employer Identification Number (EIN) 43-1634280.

The CAF American Donor Fund is designed for individuals or companies that pay tax in the US and the UK. The CAF American Donor Fund is perfect for you if:

• You are UK domiciled and resident/US dual registered.
• UK non-domiciled and resident/US dual registered.
• UK non-domiciled and non-resident/US dual registered.
• A UK partner in a US-based LLP.

If you only pay tax in the UK, you might wish to consider our CAF Charitable Trust. If you only pay tax in the US, you might like to consider using CAF America instead.

We strongly recommend that you complete a Letter of Wishes for your fund – this will allow you to tell us how you would like your fund distributed after your death.

If you have elected to open a Premier Donor Advised Fund, you can appoint successors to continue your philanthropy after your lifetime. We also suggest that you complete a Letter of Wishes in the event that any appointed successors are no longer appropriate.

Both Letter of Wishes and Appointment of Successors forms are available on request.

You can see all the fees associated with your CAF American Donor Fund here.

The CAF American Donor Fund can be opened with as little as £5,000**. If you would prefer the Premier Donor Advised Fund option, the minimum balance is £50,000**.

(**or the USD equivalent).

There are a number of ways that you can fund your CAF American Donor Fund:

• Cash (all major currencies, UK on and offshore).
• Appreciated stock (UK on and offshore).
• UK Payroll Giving Scheme.
• By arrangement, we can also accept gifts of more complex assets including carried interest, interests in LLCs, art, antiques and property.

• You make a donation into your CAF American Donor Fund and we send you receipts for UK and US tax purposes.
• We reclaim the basic rate of UK income tax under the Gift Aid scheme and add it to your account.
• You claim back the difference between the basic and higher rates in your self assessment to HMRC.
• You submit the receipt for your donation to the IRS when you file your US tax return.
• You tell us which charities you would like to support and, subject to them meeting all the criteria, we will pass on your donation.