Learn more about our story
Learn more about our story
Mobilising collective charitable capital for multiplied impact in
South Africa
Resources to support
confident giving decisions
confident giving decisions
Downloadable resources
Library of stories
Perspective on
Purposeful Giving
Donor and grantee perspectives, in one collection — the thinking behind each gift, and the results it delivered. Explore them together.
Donor stories
Paul Soper
Paul Soper, a US-based investor, was introduced to the Tree of Life team in January 2023. What began as a single allocation has grown into a multi-layered partnership spanning fund investments, a direct company investment, non-profit grantmaking, and, most recently, a new fund built around Triga Ventures fellows and alumni.
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Omri Thomas
Omri Thomas contributed a portion of his shareholding in Abax Investments to Tree of Life several years ago, not as a one-time act of generosity, but as the beginning of a different way of thinking about how assets can serve Kingdom purposes over time.
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Coenie de Villiers
Coenie de Villiers and his family had been intentional givers for years, but a growing conviction led them to take a different approach, contributing not just regular income, but capital itself. They chose to transfer long-held, appreciated JSE listed shares directly into a Donor-Advised Fund rather than selling them first.
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André Haasbroek
André Haasbroek and his family had practised intentional giving for many years before the sale of their family business created the need for a more structured approach.
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Grantee stories
U-turn Graduate, Junior Web Developer
Denzil George
U-turn Homeless Ministries believes no one should suffer the indignity of living on the street. Since 1997, it has walked individuals from crisis through rehabilitation and into work-readiness, mostly through its network of Thrift Stores – social enterprises that double as a first step back into employment. Denzil George joined the programme as a recovering addict with, in his words, zero prospects, and found his way into a coding learnership.
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Project Manager, MOI
Jenene Petersen
MOI identifies high-potential Afrikaans-speaking learners from under-resourced communities in the Western Cape and walks alongside them for the whole of their high school journey – not just with a bursary, but with mentorship, family support, and a five-year plan for character and leadership.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Donor-advised Fund work?
A Donor-advised Fund allows you to contribute assets into a dedicated charitable structure, receive the relevant tax documentation, and then recommend grants to vetted charitable organisations over time. It separates the act of giving from the act of distributing, allowing for more flexibility in tax optimisation and long-term planning.
Which type of assets can I contribute to a Donor-advised Fund?
You can contribute cash as well as qualifying non-cash or complex assets such as listed shares, unlisted shares, collective investment schemes, property, and other approved assets. Tree of Life assists with the process of administering these contributions.
If I contribute to a DAF, do I still decide where my donations go?
You recommend which organisations to support from our list of vetted charities, as well as the amount and timing of each grant. The Tree of Life Foundation is open to reviewing charities not currently listed, based on client recommendations.
Can I contribute to a DAF over time instead of all at once?
Yes. A Donor-advised Fund allows you to contribute assets over time, rather than requiring a single upfront donation.
You can make additional contributions as your financial circumstances evolve, while the capital already within the fund continues to be invested and managed. This provides flexibility to build your charitable capital progressively, while maintaining a structured and intentional approach to giving.
Distributions to charities can also be made over time, allowing your giving to be planned and directed in line with your longer-term objectives.
What values guide the Tree of Life Foundation's approach to charitable giving?
The Tree of Life Foundation is guided by a Biblical worldview. This shapes how we steward charitable capital, how we evaluate organisations, and how we direct funding over time.
We support charities and initiatives that are aligned with these values, while maintaining a structured, compliant, and professional approach to giving. This ensures that charitable capital is not only well managed, but also directed in a way that reflects the convictions of our donors.
What fees apply to Tree of Life's Donor-advised Fund platform?
The platform includes administration fees, investment management fees (depending on the selected portfolio), and a distribution fee when grants are made. A full fee schedule is available here and should be reviewed before opening an account.
How do I get started on contributing to a Tree of Life Foundation DAF?
You can begin by completing the relevant contribution form, or by contacting the Tree of Life team for guidance. Once your account is established and funded, you can start recommending grants through the platform.
See contribution forms above
Can international donors use the Tree of Life platform?
Yes. The Tree of Life Foundation is part of the TrustBridge Global Network, which provides a compliant mechanism for international donors, including those based in the United States, to contribute to a Donor-advised Fund.
International contributions can be made into a DAF and directed to approved charities in line with the Foundation's vetting process and values, ensuring that giving remains both compliant and well-directed.
How does a Donor-advised Fund fit into financial planning?
A Donor-advised Fund can be integrated into broader wealth, tax, and estate planning. It provides a structured way to manage charitable capital alongside other assets, supporting more intentional, tax-aware, and long-term giving.
Does Tree of Life's DAF platform replace my role as an advisor?
No. Tree of Life supports the advisory process but does not replace it. Advisors remain central to the client relationship, while Tree of Life provides the platform, governance, and operational support for structured giving.
Can non-cash assets be used for charitable giving via a Tree of Life DAF?
Yes. Tree of Life facilitates the contribution of non-cash and complex assets such as shares, property, and business interests. This can help clients unlock charitable value.
What investment options are available for DAF capital?
We offer core portfolio options that your clients can choose from, each aligned to different risk profiles, liquidity needs, and investment timeframes:
● Short-term liquid portfolio: suited to immediate liquidity needs.
● Medium-term portfolio: designed for balanced, steady growth.
● Long-term and private equity portfolio: positioned for long-term capital growth and compounding, including access to private equity opportunities suited to patient capital.
● Impact portfolio: focused on investments that prioritise social and spiritual outcomes alongside financial return.
● We can add adviser-managed portfolios on request.
How are charities approved for funding from Tree of Life?
All charities supported through the Tree of Life Foundation undergo a structured vetting and due diligence process before being approved on our platform.
At a minimum, each organisation must be a legally registered and active Non-profit Organisation (NPO), hold valid Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status, operate within South Africa, and have verified banking details. In addition, organisations are assessed to ensure their offering/services are not in contradiction with our values.
Where deeper insight is required, further evaluation can be conducted, including a review of financial management and governance practices, the organisation's theory of change and measurement approach, and the quality of its reporting. This would be at an additional cost to the donor recommending the grant.
How does pooling charitable capital increase the benefit for supported charities?
Pooling capital allows multiple donors to contribute towards larger, more strategic funding initiatives. This creates more consistent and sustainable support for charities, enabling them to plan ahead, scale their work, and deliver greater long-term impact.
Can I remain anonymous when recommending a grant to a charity in the Tree of Life network?
Yes. Donors can choose to remain anonymous when recommending grants. This ensures that giving can be directed according to your preferences, while maintaining privacy where desired.
Can I recommend a charity that is not currently on the approved list?
The Tree of Life Foundation is open to client recommendations for charities not currently listed. Any new organisation will undergo the Foundation's vetting and due diligence process before being approved to receive funding.
