What is Endaoment?

Endaoment is a 501(c)(3) public charity that offers donor-advised funds (DAFs) and donations of any asset type to global nonprofits on the Ethereum blockchain.

Is Endaoment a Legitimate Nonprofit?

Yes. Endaoment is a California-based Public Charity and Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation, federally tax-exempt under IRS Rev. Code Sec 501(c)(3). Our EIN is 84-4661797.

See our IRS determination letter here:

IRS Determination Letter

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See our 1023 packet here:

Form 1023 Packet

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Endaoment 1023 Packet

Why donate through Endaoment?

Endaoment allows you to donate stock, cash, or digital assets in their original form. This has several benefits:

  1. The donated amount is equal to the fair market value of the donation (i.e., there is no tax on the sale).
  2. The potential tax deduction is equal to the market value of the donation - learn more about taxes and giving
  3. All actions occur quickly onchain, and are publicly verifiable using a blockchain explorer like Etherscan.

Imagine that Anonymous Alex has $25,000 of Ether. Let’s assume they purchased 10 ETH initially at $1,000 ($10,000 total), and that the federal long term capital gains rate is 25%.

If Alex were to sell their 10 ETH worth $25,000 and then donate the proceeds, they would pay $3,750 in taxes (on the $15,000 gain) making the final grantable amount and taxable deduction $ 21,250.

However, if Alex were to donate their long-term-held Ether using Endaoment, they’d pay $0 in taxes and their grantable amount and taxable deduction would be $25,000.

What is, and why use, a Donor-Advised Fund?

We refer to a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) as a “charitable checking account” for making grants to nonprofit recipients on your own time.

You add funds to a DAF by irrevocably donating securities or property, without having to sell the donation for cash first. We take care of selling assets after you’ve donated. This is a tax-advantageous way to donate complex assets.

As a result, DAFs are unique in that they let you donate property in its original form, receive the tax benefit in the given year, yet make grants to various nonprofits flexibly.

Has Endaoment undergone any Audits?

Yes! We’ve worked with world class financial and blockchain auditors like Michal Smith, Zeni, CoinSolv, Inc., SingerLewak LLP on our finances, and with blockchain security consultants LeastAuthority, and blockchain research firm OpenZeppelin on our smart contracts.

Don’t just take our word for it - take a look at our latest public financial audit report.

You can also review our V1 and V2 technical audit reports.

Can I donate to both US and International Organizations via Endaoment?

Yes! Endaoment natively supports donations and grants to all compliant US 501(c)(3) non-profits, and additionally supports over 4,000 international nonprofits in over 150 countries through a partnership with GlobalGiving.

Do nonprofit recipients care if I’m using cryptocurrency?

We’ve got you covered. All grant recipients can choose to receive their awarded funds as US dollars via ACH or as USDC via wallet transfer, whichever they prefer!

What currencies are accepted by Endaoment?

Endaoment accepts cash, stock, complex assets including almost all ERC-20s, NFTs, and most non Ethereum tokens, as well. No other DAF provider has this type of asset coverage.

NOTE: Large donations may be subject to price slippage, depending on available liquidity. If you are concerned, please feel free to reach us at admin@endaoment.org

Can I give anonymously?

If you’d like to receive a tax receipt or open a DAF, no. (Issuing a tax receipt requires that we collect personal identifiable information.) Otherwise you are free to withhold personal information when distributing grants.

Learn more about how we protect and secure your data: Personal Data Usage & Storage

What information is required to open a DAF at Endaoment or to receive a tax receipt?

In order to create an Endaoment donor-advised fund or receive a tax receipt for a donation, you’ll need to provide us with your first and last name, email address, and mailing address.

Can I withdraw from my DAF after funding it?

No. All Gifts are irrevocable and become the property of Endaoment at the moment of donation.

Does Endaoment offer tax advice regarding charitable donations from my DAF?

Endaoment does not offer tax advice. You should speak with a CPA or attorney to address your questions related to your tax burden as well as any potential deduction associated with any charitable gift.

Can I give my financial advisor or a family member access to my DAF?

Yes! You can collaborate with a trusted advisor to manage your fund. By collaborating with an advisor, you grant them read only access to your fund, and allow them to make recommendations that appear directly in your UI, including making donations, making grant recommendations, as well as managing portfolio positions. You can read more about this feature here.

How are donated funds held at Endaoment?

Once you make a donation to Endaoment we programmatically trade that donation for USDC and move the funds to your desired destination. If you would like us to hold assets in the form that they were given, please reach out before donating.

Can I invest donated funds?

Yes. You can deploy philanthropic capital into any board-approved investment portfolios for a nominal fee, charged to the associated DAF. The currency is programmatically exchanged for the asset in the portfolio (or vice-versa on portfolio exit). Fees are discussed here: Endaoment Portfolio Fee Schedule, and you can find our list of portfolios here: Endaoment Portfolio List

What fees are involved in donating and grant making? How does Endaoment fund operations?

Endaoment charges a tiered donation fee based on volume, and 1.0% on outbound on grants, with no annual or recurring fees. Never more than 1.5% - that’s it, once! We’re also generously funded by donors like you! As noted above, there are additional fees associated with portfolio positions, but such investments are completely optional.

Organizations never pay us a fee for receiving funds from Endaoment.

How long can I keep USDC in my DAF before I have to grant it to an organization?

If a Fund shows no activity (grants or contributions) for one year or more, Endaoment will attempt to contact the Primary Advisor(s), other Fund Advisor(s), and/or any Interested Parties. If the fund remains inactive for another year after this notification (inactive for a total of two years), the fund may be closed and the fund assets may be distributed according to our Fund Agreement.

How does Endaoment manage portfolio withdrawals for grant requests?

When a grant request is made, Endaoment may need to sell assets in your Donor-Advised Fund’s portfolio. The timing and method of liquidation are determined by Endaoment, taking into account portfolio allocation, market conditions, and liquidity needs. You can read more in our Policies and Procedures.

  • Insufficient funds: If the proceeds from the portfolio redemption(s) are less than the requested grant amount, Endaoment will grant the full balance of the Fund.
  • Excess funds: If the proceeds from the portfolio redemption(s) exceed the grant amount, Endaoment may reinvest the excess depending on considerations of the above.

How long does it take for grants to be processed?

Grant requests are typically processed within a few business days. However, processing times can vary based on the complexity of the grant, the recipient organization’s responsiveness, and any required due diligence or restrictions. Some grants may take longer to be processed. You can read more in our Policies and Procedures.