When I learned that he had died, I was bound to deliver the gift funds to the proper recipients.

No one is sure how much cash will be raised by the gift fund; an announcement on the initial amounts raised is expected next week.

"Each year, more and more of it is filtered through organizations such as foundations, charitable gift funds and the like."

The respondents also favored giving through their own foundation, trust or gift fund.

The "gift fund," repository for an astonishing number of contributions by people who simply want to help out the Government, has accepted nearly $56.5 million since it was established in 1843.

Charitable gift funds can often be set up with as little as $5,000.

In the same year, the company provided two $15,000 gift funds to Ozarks Technical Community College.

"There are clearer alternatives to foundations like commercial gift funds, which have grown very large very quickly, and community foundations, which have really learned how to market their appeal."

The gift fund supported 26 charities of the couple's choice, incorporating the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation.

Some mutual fund companies like Fidelity Investments also offer charitable gift funds.