Why More Donors Are Moving Their Donor Advised Funds to One Valley
For many donors, a donor advised fund (DAF) is one of the simplest ways to organize giving, support multiple causes, and create long-term impact. What often gets overlooked is that where you host your fund matters just as much as how you use it.
Across Gallatin County, more donors are choosing to move their DAFs from national financial institutions to One Valley Community Foundation. The reason is simple. Working with a local partner can deepen your impact, connect you with real people who understand your values, and ensure your charitable dollars support the community you call home.
Here is what it looks like when your fund is hosted locally and why making the switch is easier and more meaningful than many donors expect.
Personal advising rooted in our community
When you host your fund with One Valley, you gain a partner who knows Gallatin County. Our team understands the nonprofits, opportunities, and community needs that shape this region. We meet with fundholders one-on-one, help you clarify your philanthropic goals, and offer tailored recommendations that reflect your values. Our role is to help your generosity move from intent to impact.
A national provider may offer convenience, but it cannot offer the same level of personal connection or community insight.
Your fees stay local and strengthen Gallatin County
When your DAF is hosted locally, your fees do more than cover administration. They directly fuel One Valley’s work to strengthen our local nonprofit sector, from Give Big Gallatin Valley to the Regional Housing Coalition to year-round nonprofit education and leadership networks.
In other words, your fund supports your favorite nonprofits twice. First, through your grantmaking and again by helping One Valley invest in a stronger community.
High-touch support for complex giving
Whether you want to support multiple organizations, involve your family in giving, or explore more strategic philanthropy, you can count on personal support from a real team member who knows you and your goals. You are never sent into a customer support loop. You work with a team that knows you, cares about your goals, and is here to help your generosity flow where it matters most.
Individually managed investment option
If you work with a financial advisor and want them involved in managing your charitable assets, One Valley offers an individually managed option for funds of 100,000 dollars or more. To learn more, reach out to One Valley’s COO Jennifer Owens at jennifer@onevalley.org to learn more.
A simpler transfer process than you might think
Moving your current DAF to One Valley is free and straightforward. You simply make a grant request from your existing fund to One Valley Community Foundation and we use those grant dollars to establish your new fund. Our team guides you through each step, provides the necessary information, and coordinates directly with the other institution to complete the transfer.
Most donors tell us they wish they had moved their fund sooner once they see how seamless the process is.
A partner who helps your generosity flow from intent to impact
At One Valley, we believe generosity is most powerful when it is connected to the community where you live, work, and establish roots. Hosting your fund locally means choosing a partner who knows your values, understands your vision, and helps your giving create real, lasting change in Gallatin County.
If you are considering moving your fund or want to explore whether a One Valley DAF is the right fit, we would love to meet you. Contact One Valley’s President & CEO, Bridget Wilkinson at bridget@onevalley.org or (406)587-6262 x50. Your giving has the power to shape our region for generations, and we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Why nonprofits prefer when donors host their funds locally
Nonprofits feel the difference when a donor chooses to host their DAF with One Valley instead of a national manager. Local fundholding strengthens the entire ecosystem they rely on. But don’t just take it from us. Hear why Emily Allison, Bridgercare’s Development Director loves local DAFs.
“As the Development Director for Bridgercare, there are two reasons I would encourage you to consider hosting your donor advised fund with One Valley Community Foundation instead of a national manager. When you host your fund with One Valley, your fees become donations in and of themselves. Rather than paying a wealth manager at Schwab or Fidelity, you are helping support the salaries and expenses of One Valley, which strengthens the entire nonprofit community through fundraising initiatives like Give Big Gallatin Valley, educational programs like Nonprofit Café, and much more.
By choosing to host your DAF with One Valley, you gain access to an outstanding resource in their expert staff, who understand the most pressing needs in our community. Giving locally has the greatest impact on the people, animals, and natural places that define our home, and the staff at One Valley have an up-to-date pulse on current challenges and opportunities because of their deep partnerships with nonprofits throughout the Gallatin Valley.
Someday, I hope to open a DAF with One Valley myself to ensure that the giving I am able to do personally creates the greatest good for the causes I care about here.”
- Emily Allison | Development Director, Bridgercare
For nonprofits, local fundholding is not just a financial decision. It is a community-strengthening choice that fuels generosity where it matters most.