Section 5. DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

New section 4966(c)(1)(A) imposes an excise tax on all distributions to natural persons from donor advised funds effective for taxable years beginning after August 17, 2006. However, pursuant to the authority described in Section 2.02 above, certain funds or accounts are excepted from the definition of donor advised fund.

.01 Employer-Sponsored Disaster Relief Assistance Programs

The definition of donor advised fund in section 4966(d)(2)(A) encompasses all funds and accounts owned or controlled by a sponsoring organization separately identified with reference to the contribution of a donor or donors for which the donor, or anyone appointed by the donor, has or reasonably expects to have, advisory privileges. Section 4966(d)(2)(C) grants the Secretary the authority to exempt a fund or account (a “fund”) from the definition of donor advised fund.

Certain employers may establish disaster relief funds at a community foundation or other public charity to provide disaster relief grants to employees or their family members who are the victims of a major disaster. The sponsoring organization may receive contributions to these funds from both the employer and its employees. If these employer-sponsored disaster relief funds are within the definition of donor advised funds, any distribution from these funds to employees or their family members would be subject to excise tax under new section 4966.

Pursuant to the authority under 4966(d)(2)(C), the IRS and Department of Treasury exclude from the definition of

grants made by private foundations and sponsoring organizations no sooner than the date that the regulations are proposed. The standards set forth below will apply with respect to any grants made prior to that date.

In determining whether a disqualified person with respect to a private foundation controls a supporting organization or one of its supported organizations, the control standards established in Treas. Reg. section 53.4942(a)–3(a)(3) will apply. Under these standards, an organization is controlled by one or more disqualified persons with respect to a foundation if any such persons may, by aggregating their votes or positions of authority, require the supporting or supported organization to make an expenditure, or prevent the supporting organization or the supported organization from making an expenditure, regardless of the method by which the control is exercised or exercisable.

Similarly, in determining whether a donor or donor advisor or a person related to a donor or donor advisor (as described in sections 4967(d) and 4958(f)(7)) of any donor advised fund controls a supported organization of the grantee, the control standards established in Treas. Reg. section 53.4942(a)–3(a)(3) will apply. Under these standards, a supported organization is controlled by one or more donor or donor advisors (and any related parties) of any donor advised fund if any such persons may, by aggregating their votes or positions of authority, require a supported organization to make an expenditure, or prevent a supported organization from making an expenditure, regardless of the method by which the control is exercised or exercisable.

Also, solely for purposes of a representation or opinion of counsel on which a grantor may rely, an organization will be considered a functionally integrated Type III supporting organization if it would meet the test set forth in Treas. Reg. section 1.509(a)–4(i)(3)(ii).