The Foundation for Delaware County helps residents donate to local groups and charities within the community through its donor-advised fund, writes Erin Arvedlund for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Foundation provides interested donors with research and guidance that helps them make a decision and ensure their money will help locally.

“We can give a check or we can piggyback anonymously with the Foundation,” said Beth Albright of Garnet Valley. “That’s one of the things we’ve learned about where our money goes to, and so we don’t lose control.”

Beth and her husband Scott turned to The Foundation for Delaware County when they decided they wanted their donations to have a local impact. They are among the growing number of middle-class donors who are turning to donor-advised funds.

While there are options for donor-advised funds from all major investment companies, community foundations offer advice for those looking to donate locally.

“We offer the same tax benefits as Fidelity, Schwab, and the National Philanthropic Trust, and we offer a lot of advice about grant-making,” said Frances Sheehan, president of The Foundation for Delaware County. “In the case of local community foundations like ours, the advice is very local.”

Read more about The Foundation for Delaware County in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.