By Shaunna Graf
Gifts That Let Nature Breathe: How Donor‑Advised Funds Help Bernheim Flourish
When you visit Bernheim you experience, the sense of peace, connection, and belonging that we are all working together for a place where nature is not only protected, but cherished.
Behind that feeling is a community of people whose generosity helps Bernheim flourish. Among them are donors who give through Donor‑Advised Funds (DAFs), a type of charitable account that allows individuals and families to recommend grants to organizations they care about. While DAFs are often discussed in financial terms, here at Bernheim we have seen that they have a powerful impact.
What is a Donor‑Advised Fund?
A Donor‑Advised Fund is a giving tool. Donors make a charitable contribution to a sponsoring organization—such as a community foundation, financial institution, or nonprofit sponsor — and receive an immediate tax benefit. Over time, DAF holders can then “advise” or recommend grants from that fund to the charities that reflect their values and hopes for the world. A DAF allows the option to plan giving to organizations such as Bernheim.
How DAF Gifts Support Bernheim
At Bernheim, DAF gifts touch nearly every part of our work. They help care for forests and meadows, maintain trails and natural play areas, and support research and art that deepen our understanding and appreciation of the living world.
Because DAF grants are often intentional and planned, they give Bernheim a sense of stability. That steadiness allows us to:
- Nurture curiosity by offering programs and experiences that invite people to ask questions about the natural world, to learn, and to grow as lifelong learners.
- Celebrate wonder by creating spaces where people can play, pause, and experience awe — from children splashing in a creek to adults rediscovering the simple joy of being outside.
- Act with intentionality in stewarding this land, caring for habitats, planning trails and plantings, and honoring the vision of our founder Isaac Wolfe Bernheim.
- Foster belonging by welcoming all people into a shared experience of nature, where every visitor and every living thing is recognized as part of a greater whole.
DAF gifts are not just numbers on a page. They are in the shade on a summer day, the laughter of school groups on a field trip, the quiet moments of reflection along a path, and the shared sense that this place matters.
How to Recommend a DAF Grant to Bernheim
If you have a Donor‑Advised Fund and Bernheim has been a meaningful part of your life, recommending a grant is simple:
- Contact your DAF sponsor (such as your community foundation or financial institution) or log in to your online DAF portal.
- Search for or enter Bernheim using our legal name and tax ID:
- Legal name: Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
- Tax ID (EIN): 61-0444651
- Recommend a grant in the amount that feels right for you
You can also speak with your advisor or family about incorporating Bernheim into your long‑term charitable plans. Many donors find that these conversations—especially across generations—become meaningful moments of connection and shared values.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Our vision is simple and profound: a world where nature is cherished, protected, and restored. Every DAF gift to Bernheim is a step toward that world—a world in which people feel connected to the land, to one another, and to something larger than themselves.
If Bernheim has ever given you a moment of calm, a burst of wonder, or a sense of coming home, your support through a Donor‑Advised Fund can help ensure that others experience those same gifts. Together, we can tend this landscape with care and intention, so it remains a place of harmony, joy, and belonging for generations to come.
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Information about Donor‑Advised Funds (DAFs) is offered for general educational purposes only. We encourage all donors to consult with their tax advisor, financial planner, or legal professional to determine what giving options best support their individual circumstances.
