Donor Advised Funds: Flexible Giving for Impact Today and Tomorrow

Two Donors. Two Approaches. Countless Lives Changed.

Roger Stokes believes that it’s only right to give back.

That’s why the retired owner of Brill Metal Works established a Donor Advised Fund at Oregon Community Foundation in 2006. Through it, he’s supporting vulnerable children and families in his community.

Critics sometimes argue that Donor Advised Funds, or DAFs, allow donors to park money indefinitely, rather than using it to benefit communities. But donors like Roger and the late Karen J. Fishel establish funds at OCF expecting that their money will be put in drive.

Karen’s Donor Advised Fund is permanent, meaning it grows over time while distributing a certain amount every year. OCF encourages advisors to grant a portion of the fund’s balance on a regular basis, preserving the fund’s value for future giving while making a difference today. Roger can spend down his wholly expendable Donor Advised Fund as much as he wants. Both types of funds grow through OCF’s investment practices and can support communities for decades.

Through his wholly expendable DAF, “I’ve granted away more than the starting assets, and there’s still more than when I started the fund,” Roger says. “It’s the flexibility I appreciate most. If I see a pressing need, I can step in and address it without restrictions.”

Here’s how Roger and Karen’s generosity is having both immediate and long-term impact—and how yours can, too.

Flexibility Meets Impact

First, some quick background on the transformative tools known as Donor Advised Funds. With a DAF, you can contribute assets, receive immediate tax benefits and recommend grants to causes you care about. DAFs provide critical support to nonprofits, enabling them to address immediate and future needs. This flexibility allows donors to strategically strengthen nonprofits – whether responding to urgent crises or sustaining long-term priorities – while creating a lasting impact in communities.

Rogert Stokes

For Roger, the choice to prioritize flexibility in giving with wholly expendable funds has unlocked opportunities to respond dynamically to his community’s challenges.

Roger moved to Medford in 1980 to purchase Brill Metal Works, setting the stage for a life rooted in Southern Oregon. Upon retiring in 2005, Roger felt a profound sense of responsibility to give back to the region that had supported him and his family so deeply.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” Roger reflects. “The community supported my business and my family for decades. It’s only right to give back.”

For instance, during the devastating Southern Oregon wildfires, Roger used his Donor Advised Fund to support relief efforts. “I don’t want to close the door on opportunities to help,” he explains.

Roger’s DAF also supports local organizations like Kids Unlimited and Maslow Project, where he served as a founding board member. “These organizations are working 24/7 to uplift vulnerable kids and families,” he notes. “Knowing my contributions help sustain their efforts is rewarding.”

In 2021, Roger also established a scholarship fund that helps support Medford and Rogue River Valley students who are high-achieving high school graduates, have overcome adversity or are starting or returning to college later in their lives.

“Whether it’s a scholarship for an additional student or aid during a crisis, I want to respond when it’s needed most,” he says.

OCF has been a trusted partner in Roger’s philanthropic journey. “The people at OCF are exceptional,” Roger says. “Whenever I’ve had an idea or a request, they’ve found a way to make it happen. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them say no.”

Creating a Legacy

While Roger’s fund emphasizes flexibility and immediate impact, the Karen J. Fishel Fund illustrates how endowed Donor Advised Funds create lasting legacies by supporting causes year after year.

Karen J. Fishel and Barb Attridge.

Karen passed away in 2022 and named her close friend and fellow co-founder of Oregon Dress for Success as the designated advisor for her fund.

“She was really worried about who was going to take care of her causes,” Barb says. “I told her, ‘I’ll do it. I’d be honored to do that for you.’ She didn’t want to be forgotten because she was known for her generosity and philanthropy.”

Karen’s passions included helping kids in foster care, addressing homelessness and supporting animal welfare. “Karen always supported small, grassroots organizations because she knew that even a modest donation could make a significant difference for them,” Barb says. “Most of the fund’s grants go toward general operating support because, from my experience running a small nonprofit, I know that’s what organizations need most.”

Through OCF’s resources and support, Barb has been able to carry out Karen’s wishes. “OCF has been incredible,” she says. “The guidance and tools they provide make everything so much easier. They’ve helped me identify the organizations Karen would have wanted to support.

“OCF is an incredible organization, and we’re so lucky to have it in Oregon. A foundation with more than $3 billion that can make such a difference is remarkable, and I feel fortunate to be part of its work.”

The endowed nature of Karen’s fund ensures her legacy will continue far into the future, with her nephew set to step in as a fund advisor when Barb is no longer able to serve. “That way, the fund will remain within her family, continuing to support her passions,” Barb says.

Is a Donor Advised Fund Right for You?

Roger and Karen's stories highlight how DAFs—whether wholly expendable or endowed—offer powerful tools for aligning giving with personal values. Their experiences show the unique flexibility of DAFs, enabling donors to address urgent community needs, invest in long-term solutions and create legacies of lasting impact.

Setting up a Donor Advised Fund is just one of many ways OCF can help you give with intention. With OCF you can create a variety of charitable funds that provide flexible, efficient and tax-effective ways to ensure your charitable giving achieves the greatest possible impact, right now and into the future.

To explore how OCF can assist you and learn about other giving options, reach out to an OCF philanthropic advisor who can guide you every step of the way.