The Five Percent, Without the Spreadsheet
Private non-operating foundations must generally distribute about five percent of the average fair-market value of their investment assets each year. Estimate where your foundation stands — and how much runway remains.
Grants paid, plus reasonable charitable administrative expenses — not pledges, and not investment costs.
Enter your foundation's average investment assets to see the estimate. Nothing you type here leaves your browser unless you choose to send it to yourself below.
What the Estimate Leaves Out
The statutory calculation adjusts for cash held for charitable use, certain acquisition indebtedness, and the excise tax on net investment income — and the distributable amount for one year may generally be satisfied through the end of the following year. Set-asides, program-related investments, and direct charitable expenditures each have their own treatment.
This tool is educational, not tax or legal advice. Your Form 990-PF preparer computes the definitive figure; what Meridian does is make sure the grants, the records, and the calendar behind that figure are already in order when they ask.