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Give From Your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is participating in DAF Day on Thursday, October 9, 2025, to help accelerate progress toward a cure for Parkinson’s.

DAF Day is a day to educate and inspire people to give through their donor advised funds. Your gift on DAF Day helps amplify impact as the Parkinson’s community comes together to give.

DAFs simplify your giving all while making you eligible for tax benefits.

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What Is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)? 

A DAF is your personal charitable savings account. You contribute money or assets now, and then recommend grants to causes you care about — including MJFF — whenever you’re ready. DAFs give you flexibility and control over your charitable giving, helping you make a difference on your own schedule.

How Giving Through a DAF Benefits You
  • Makes giving simple: Keep all your charitable donations organized in one easy-to-manage account.

  • Save on taxes: You are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction when you put money into your DAF.

  • Give when it works for you: Choose the timing and causes for your gifts on your schedule.

  • Creates a lasting impact: Support Parkinson’s research today and leave a legacy by naming MJFF as a beneficiary of your fund.

Learn More About DAFs

Download our free guide, Centralize Your Giving with Donor Advised Funds, to learn how simple and rewarding it can be to open a DAF and put your philanthropy to work. 

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A More Meaningful Way to Giving Through a DAF

“I was unhappy with how I responded to annual giving requests at year end with a sense of obligation — small checks often sent by mood and by chance,” MJFF community member, Rich reflects. 

That changed when Rich opened a DAF. “It led to a more meaningful, connected way of giving and brought our family closer to the community. Together, we focus on getting donations to work immediately, especially for causes like Parkinson’s research that have touched our lives.”

Create a Lasting Legacy With Your DAF

You can build a lasting legacy by naming The Michael J. Fox Foundation the beneficiary of your entire fund or a portion of it. This ensures your support for Parkinson’s research continues for years to come. Until DAF assets are granted they're not helping the causes you care most about. By giving from your DAF today, you can have an immediate impact on Parkinson's research. You can also name loved ones as successors to continue recommending grants in your honor.

Contact your fund administrator for a beneficiary form. 

How a DAF Works

Joe and Laura wanted to support their hometown and put their money where it has a higher impact. They established a $25,000 DAF with a community foundation.

The couple receives a federal income tax deduction for the amount of the gift. They also took their time to decide which charities to support. After consulting with the community foundation’s staff, they recommended grants to MJFF and a local animal shelter. The foundation then sent checks from the Patricia Fund, named in honor of Laura’s mother.

Joe and Laura also named MJFF as the beneficiary to receive the remaining balance after their lifetimes, starting a meaningful legacy of giving. 

  • Next Steps

    1. If you already have a DAF, use our tool below to connect to your fund and recommend a gift to MJFF.
    2. Questions? contact us at 212-509-1524 or email plannedgiving@michaeljfox.org to discuss supporting MJFF with your DAF.
    3. Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
    4. If you would like to include MJFF in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID:

    Legal Name: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

    Address: Grand Central Station PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163

    Federal Tax ID Number: 13-4141945

  • Give From Your DAF Today

    We partner with Chariot to make donating from your DAF fast, easy and secure with just three clicks. No lost checks or mailing delays, and your donation is protected by end-to-end encryption. 

    Grants from a DAF can take several days or weeks to arrive. Click the button below to give from your DAF in three clicks today:

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