Account Fees and Minimums
We offer a comprehensive range of investment alternatives to meet a wide variety of goals. You can choose from either a core account or a professionally managed account.
A core account can be established with no minimum initial contribution. Donors may contribute cash, securities, or other non-cash assets and invest the charitable assets in any of the index or actively managed pre-approved investment pools.
A professionally managed account allows investors with $250,000 or more to select an investment advisor to manage the investments. The investment advisor is subject to Schwab Charitable’s approval and must enter into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Schwab Charitable™.
Account Minimums
- Core Account
- Professionally Managed Account
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Account minimumCore AccountNo minimumProfessionally Managed Account$250,000
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Minimum additional contributionCore AccountNo minimumProfessionally Managed AccountNo minimum
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Minimum grantCore Account$50Professionally Managed Account$50
Administrative fees
Schwab Charitable offers competitive administrative fees that cover the expenses of operating a donor-advised fund account, such as online donor services, phone support, grant due diligence and administration, tax filings, annual account summaries, and communications.
Administrative fees table
Administrative fees- Average Daily Value
- Annualized Administrative Fees
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First $500,0000.60% of assets
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Next $500,0000.30% of assets
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Next $1,500,0000.20% of assets
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Next $2,500,0000.15% of assets
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Next $5,000,0000.13% of assets
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Next $5,000,0000.12% of assets
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$15,000,000+0.10% of assets
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Please contact us at 800-746-6216
Administrative Fee Calculator
How administrative fees are charged
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Core accounts
We assess an annualized administrative fee of 0.60%, which is collected as part of the operating expenses of the investment pools.
- Fees for accounts of more than $500,000 that are invested in the investment pools will be reduced via a quarterly rebate payment to the account.
- Only accounts that are open at the time of the fee rebate will receive the rebate.
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Professionally managed accounts²
We assess an administrative account fee quarterly, based on the account's average value for the preceding quarter.
- Schwab Charitable will notify investment advisors in the event the cash in the account is less than the administrative fees owed.
- If the account holder does not contribute sufficient funds to pay the administrative fees, Schwab Charitable may sell any proprietary money market mutual fund shares held in the account or take other actions provided for in these policies.
- As it deems necessary, Schwab Charitable reserves the right to place a hold on the assets in the account to cover expenses.
Disclosures
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2. Professionally managed accounts are available only through independent investment advisors with Schwab Advisor Services™, a business segment of the Charles Schwab Corporation serving independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. While donors may recommend an advisor, the Fund must approve the recommendation. Advisors must meet certain eligibility requirements and adhere to Fund fee and investment guidelines. You may request a copy of the investment guidelines by calling us at 800-746-6216.
Investment expenses and fees
Investment expenses and fees vary depending on how an account is invested.
Core accounts are invested in investment pools whose operating expenses vary with the underlying mutual funds. Operating expenses and fees are reflected in the value of each investment pool.
Investment expenses for professionally managed accounts include investment advisory fees as well as costs associated with underlying investments. Investment advisory fees may not exceed 1% of the account balance each year. Investment advisors deduct their fees from the account on a quarterly basis.