On April 9, 2018, the very first Donor Advised Fund (DAF) with the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida was established by Janine Marrone. Since that time, $731,250 in grants from the DAF has been distributed to numerous Catholic entities within the Diocese of Venice in Florida as well as to multiple pro-life organizations and Catholic causes throughout the United States.
The idea of a Donor Advised Fund was not new to Mrs. Marrone. In fact, she already had a DAF at another community foundation that had been serving her well. What interested Mrs. Marrone the most however, was the Faith-based aspect of the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF).
As a person deeply rooted in her Catholic Faith, Mrs. Marrone was very attracted to the fact that the CCF will only support organizations whose missions and purposes are in alignment with the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition, donor funds are invested in accordance with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Guidelines for Socially Responsible Investments.
Mrs. Marrone looks at her Donor Advised Fund with the Catholic Community Foundation as her “Catholic charitable checkbook” and uses it to make all her faith-based charitable gifts. When she deposits money, or appreciated assets, into her DAF, she receives an immediate tax deduction. She then decides over time where she wants her gifts to go. It can be used right away or used over a period of weeks, months, or even years. Mrs. Marrone can even choose to invest her DAF in the CCF’s investment pool and have it grow tax-free until she is ready to use it.
Faith-filled donors like Mrs. Marrone make it possible for the Catholic Church to serve as the hands and feet of Christ by providing resources to countless individuals and families, by saving lives, by educating our youth, and by sharing the Gospel with all of God’s people.
If you are interested in learning more about establishing your Catholic Legacy through a Donor Advised Fund, Endowment Fund, Bequest or other type of gift through the Catholic Community Foundation, please contact Michael Morse at 941-441-1124 or by email at Morse@dioceseofvenice.org.