Learn about our mission, donor impact, and history
Mission
Our mission is to increase giving in the U.S. with donor-advised funds and philanthropic resources that make charitable giving tax-smart, simple, and efficient. We offer tools, guidance, and relationships that empower donors to incorporate charitable planning into their everyday lives and make a bigger difference in the world.
Donor impact
Since our founding in 1999 as an independent 501(c)(3) public charity, Schwab Charitable™ donors have granted nearly $36 billion to more than 255,000 charities. You can learn more about this philanthropic impact in our Giving Report.
Donor satisfaction scores
Schwab Charitable is grateful for the opportunity to support the philanthropic goals of our donors. They communicated their satisfaction with Schwab Charitable in recent surveys.*
-
Surveys were conducted in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
.
History
History
-
1999
1999: Founded by Charles Schwab
Chuck establishes Schwab Fund for Charitable Giving to offer clients a better way to give to charities. He believes clients can maximize their charitable impact if they approach giving in the strategic way they approach investing and saving. -
2003
2000: Pioneered professionally managed accounts
Schwab Charitable™ is the first national donor-advised fund to introduce this account type. The accounts allow donors to have their investment advisors build and manage investment portfolios for the charitable assets contributed to their accounts. -
2004
Accepted additional non-cash asset types for account contributions
The list of acceptable contributions is expanded beyond publicly traded securities, as Schwab Charitable recognizes the diversity of non-cash assets donors hold in investment portfolios, own in collections, and receive through inheritances. -
2009
2005: Added more investment pools for core accounts
Schwab Charitable offers donors new choices for investing core account assets, including low-cost index and actively managed options from leading fund companies. Donors are investing with the objective of having more to grant to charities. -
2011
2010: Created the Schwab Charitable Legacy Program
Donors have a third succession plan option for their accounts. The program allows a donor to recommend charities for receiving recurring grants over a specific number of years after the donor’s life. -
2013
Established the Direct Global Giving Program for international granting
Responding to donors who wish to provide support outside the United States, Schwab Charitable launches direct granting to international charities. Schwab Charitable is the first national donor-advised fund to collaborate with NGOsource on this service. -
2014
Enabled granting from phones and tablets
Schwab Charitable donor-advised fund accounts are added to the Schwab mobile app, making it convenient for donors to recommend grants to charities when they are not at a computer. -
2015
2015: Enhanced international granting with two additional options
Schwab Charitable adds options for donors supporting causes outside the United States: grants to U.S. charities doing international work, and grants to intermediaries that manage grants to international charities. -
2020
2020: Expanded socially responsible investment (SRI) options and eliminated $5,000 minimum contribution
A third SRI pool is added for core accounts, offering another way to invest assets based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The $5,000 minimum initial contribution and $500 minimum subsequent contribution are also eliminated. -
2021
Appointed Sam Kang as President, reached granting milestone, and launched the Giving Guide
Kim Laughton retires as President and Sam Kang is appointed to the role. Grants to charities since inception also surpass $20 billion and the Giving Guide launches to help donors develop strategic giving plans. -
2022
Evolved relationship management model and eliminated $100 minimum administrative fee
The Business Development team shifts its focus to assisting with new accounts, and a Charitable Consulting team is formed to assist with existing accounts. The $100 minimum administrative fee is also eliminated to help donors with lower-balance accounts. -
2023
Reduced minimum for PMAs and launched family philanthropy resources
Schwab Charitable lowers the professionally managed account (PMA) minimum balance from $250,000 to $100,000. A comprehensive collection of family philanthropy resources is also produced in collaboration with the National Center for Family Philanthropy. -
2024
Organization celebrates 25 years of donor-advised giving with new brand
In concert with its 25th anniversary, Schwab Charitable announces it will move forward as DAFgiving360™ and will use its brand to elevate the donor-advised fund category and awareness of its DAF solutions.