What types of alternative assets does The Alternatives Foundation accept?

The Alternatives Foundation accepts private equity fund interests, venture capital fund stakes, closely-held business interests (LLC units, LP interests, S-corp shares via special structures), real estate and real asset interests, and other illiquid investment holdings. TAF specializes in assets that traditional community foundations and donor-advised funds decline due to complexity or illiquidity.

How does donating alternative assets to TAF work?

Donors transfer their alternative asset interest to The Alternatives Foundation. TAF holds the asset and waits for a natural liquidity event, then converts the proceeds into philanthropic capital directed to the donor chosen educational or research beneficiary. The donor receives a charitable deduction for the fair market value at contribution and eliminates capital gains tax on the appreciation.

What is TAF fee structure?

The Alternatives Foundation charges a 1.5% annual administrative fee, collected at the time of liquidation. There are no upfront fees to the donor or the receiving institution.

What is The Alternatives Foundation EIN?

The Alternatives Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 87-3652885.

The Alternatives Foundation | Converting Alternative Assets to Philanthropic Capital

Process

A four-step path from illiquid asset to lasting impact

Most charitable giving involves writing a check or wiring cash. TAF unlocks a fundamentally different category of giving—one that lets entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners contribute the wealth actually tied up in their portfolios, without waiting for a sale.

01 — Transfer

Donor contributes the asset to TAF

The donor transfers their PE fund interest, VC stake, LLC units, LP interest, or real asset to The Alternatives Foundation via a deed of gift. TAF receives the asset and becomes the legal holder, allowing the donor to claim a charitable deduction for fair market value at the time of contribution.

02 — Hold

TAF patiently holds until a natural liquidity event

Unlike forced liquidations that destroy value, TAF's patient capital philosophy means we hold the asset until a natural exit occurs—a fund distribution, a business acquisition, a refinancing, or another liquidity event. This maximizes the value delivered to beneficiaries.

03 — Liquidate

Proceeds are converted to philanthropic capital

When liquidity occurs, TAF collects its 1.5% annual administrative fee and converts the remaining proceeds into charitable dollars. TAF's fee is collected only at this stage—never upfront—aligning our incentives directly with maximizing value to your chosen institution.

04 — Deploy

Funds flow to your designated university or research partner

Philanthropic capital is distributed to the donor's designated beneficiary: a university endowment, a research fund, a scholarship program, or a major research nonprofit. TAF maintains relationships with partner institutions nationwide to ensure smooth and timely grant-making.

Differentiation

Why TAF is uniquely positioned

Donor-advised funds, community foundations, and university gift offices are not built to handle the legal complexity, long holding periods, or administrative burden of alternative assets. TAF was purpose-built for exactly this problem.

Capability	TAF	DAF / CF	Univ. Gift Office
Accepts PE / VC fund interests	✓	✗	✗
Accepts closely-held business interests	✓	Rarely	✗
Patient liquidation philosophy	✓	✗	✗
No upfront fees to donor	✓	Varies	N/A
Multi-institution beneficiaries	✓	✓	✗
Dedicated alt-asset expertise	✓	✗	✗

Built for complexity that others avoid

TAF's founding team brings deep VC and private equity backgrounds. We understand fund structures, LP agreements, carried interest mechanics, and the legal nuances of transferring fund interests to a nonprofit. We have built the legal infrastructure—including donor guarantee and indemnification frameworks—to handle assets that would overwhelm a standard gift office.

Patient capital maximizes value for beneficiaries

A forced or premature liquidation of an illiquid asset destroys value. TAF's singular advantage is our willingness and structure to hold assets over multi-year time horizons, waiting for the moment of maximum value. Our fee structure—1.5% annually, collected only at liquidation—ensures we have every incentive to wait for the best outcome.

National reach, Texas roots

Founded in Texas—the most entrepreneurially dense state in the United States—TAF has built its proof of concept with a growing network of university and research partners. Our national expansion brings the same patient, expert approach to alternative asset philanthropy to donors and institutions across the country.

Powered by Committo Group

TAF operates under Committo Group, LLC, which provides additional operational infrastructure including DAF management software already in production use. This technology backbone allows TAF to manage a growing portfolio of complex asset gifts with institutional-grade rigor and transparency.

Tax Efficiency

The most tax-efficient form of charitable giving for asset-rich donors

Donating an appreciated alternative asset directly to TAF is structurally superior to selling the asset and donating the proceeds. The math is compelling for any donor holding appreciated PE, VC, or business interests.

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Deduct full fair market value

Donors receive a charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the contributed asset at contribution—not cost basis. Subject to standard AGI limitations (typically 30% for capital gain property contributed to a public charity).

Eliminate capital gains

Because the transfer is a charitable contribution rather than a sale, the donor never triggers a capital gains event. This can save 20–37% of the embedded gain depending on asset type, holding period, and applicable rates.

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Deliver more to the institution

By avoiding capital gains taxes, the full pre-tax value of the asset flows toward the charitable mission rather than to the IRS—creating a substantially larger gift than selling first and donating after-tax proceeds.

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Strategic timing advantage

TAF enables donors to act before a liquidity event—locking in the charitable deduction at current FMV while the asset is still illiquid. Particularly powerful in a year with other large income events or when anticipating a pending sale.

Partner Institutions

Who benefits from TAF gifts

TAF routes philanthropic capital to a growing network of partner institutions across two primary categories: educational institutions and research organizations. We work with development officers and gift planning teams to ensure seamless gift acceptance.

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Universities & Colleges

TAF works with university development offices and endowment managers to accept alternative asset gifts on behalf of individual institutions. Proceeds fund endowments, scholarships, named professorships, research centers, and capital projects.

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Research Organizations

Major research nonprofits—including organizations focused on cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions, and other health priorities—partner with TAF to receive alternative asset gifts that fund research programs their standard gift offices cannot accommodate directly.

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For Institutional Partners

Does your institution want to expand its gift acceptance to include alternative assets without building internal infrastructure? TAF serves as your operational partner—handling asset intake, legal documentation, stewardship, and distribution at no cost to the institution.

Knowledge Base

Key facts about alternative asset philanthropy

What qualifies as an alternative asset for donation to TAF?

Alternative assets accepted by The Alternatives Foundation include: limited partnership interests in private equity funds; LP or LLC interests in venture capital funds; equity interests in closely-held operating companies (LLCs, S-corps via specialized structures, C-corps); limited partnership interests in real estate funds; and similar illiquid, non-publicly-traded investment interests.

How does TAF differ from a donor-advised fund (DAF)?

Donor-advised funds primarily accept cash and publicly traded securities and typically decline complex or illiquid alternative assets due to valuation challenges, UBTI exposure, legal complexity, and multi-year holding requirements. TAF was specifically designed to address these barriers with the legal structure, team expertise, and fee model to accept and patiently hold such assets.

What is the tax treatment of donating a PE or VC fund interest?

When a donor transfers a PE or VC fund interest to TAF, the donor may deduct the fair market value (not cost basis), subject to 30% of AGI for capital gain property contributed to a public charity, with a 5-year carryforward. No capital gains tax is triggered on the transfer—the fund interest's embedded appreciation is fully bypassed.

What is TAF's organizational structure?

The Alternatives Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 87-3652885) operating under Committo Group, LLC. It was founded in Texas, initially as The Texas Alternatives Foundation, and rebranded to reflect national operations. The founding CEO is Jarett Rodriguez. Board leadership includes Philip Sanger and Rudy Garza (VC backgrounds) and Scott Holstead (JPMorgan).

What are the mechanics of TAF's 1.5% annual fee?

TAF charges a 1.5% annual administrative fee calculated on the value of assets under stewardship, collected at the time of liquidation—not upfront. This aligns TAF's incentives with maximizing asset value: a longer, more patient hold that produces a higher ultimate value benefits both TAF and the beneficiary institution.

Why is TAF described as having a patient capital philosophy?

TAF's patient capital philosophy refers to its willingness to hold illiquid alternative assets for as long as necessary to achieve a natural, value-maximizing liquidity event. Many organizations that attempt to accept alternative assets are forced to sell them quickly at significant discounts. TAF's legal structure, operational model, and fee structure are designed to support long holding periods for better beneficiary outcomes.

Leadership

Founded and led by operators and investors

Founding CEO & Executive Director

Jarett Rodriguez

25+ years launching and building privately funded companies and public organizations. Developed LSU's self-sustaining Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, served as instructor of LSU's first course on Innovation & Creativity, built collaborations with NFL and MLB, co-created the LSU100, taught innovation and entrepreneurship through executive education, and built businesses in multiple states and on 2 continents as a serial entrepreneur. Recognized by the White House as a "catalyst for change."

Managing Partner, TEXO Ventures

Philip Sanger

Physician-entrepreneur with 25+ years as a pulmonary and critical care specialist. Founded a Medicare Advantage health plan (taken public), built a PPO to 50K+ subscribers, and grew Intercede Health from 3 people into a medical management company serving 1M+ patients. Helped launch HealthSpring through its 2006 IPO. Published in Managed Healthcare Executive, The Hospitalist Magazine, and Disease Management Advisor. Board member of Intercede Health, Televero Health, and Wenzel Spine; advisor to Santé Ventures.

Founder & Managing General Partner, G-51 Capital Management

Rudy Garza

Investor and board member across 20+ companies, with several sold to publicly traded firms including SAP, ADP, Prudential, and Cisco Systems. Longtime NVCA and Texas Venture Capital Association member. Former Chairman of the UT Alumni Association (Texas Exes); lifetime honorary trustee of the Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation. St. Edward's University and UT Austin.

Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Securities

Scott Holstead

Named FT 400 Top Financial Adviser in 2014–15 and ranked among Barron's America's Top 1000 Financial Advisors. Former U.S. Treasury Office of Tax Policy and George H.W. Bush White House. Washington & Lee and University of Michigan.

Retired Banking Executive

Kerry Hall

Second employee and later President of Texas Capital Bank's Austin Region. Built TCB's Private Wealth Advisors division. Former chair, Austin Chapter of the American Heart Association. Appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to Texas One, the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board (2005–2011).

Distinguished Teaching Professor, UT Austin Chemistry

Brent Iverson

Distinguished Teaching Professor in the College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin. Stanford and Caltech trained. Raised in Silicon Valley, Brent brings a deep belief in how supportive environments unlock innovation—focusing on student success and new approaches to education inside and outside the classroom.

President & COO, Cumby Group

Jeff Nash

30+ year career in finance, banking, consulting, and database management. UT Austin BBA & MBA. Active civic leader—board service includes the UT Alumni Association, Texas Bankers Association, Rodeo Austin, and the American Heart Association, which honored him with a research grant in his name.

Managing Partner, Rippel Realty Holdings

John Rippel

40+ years and 100,000+ multifamily units. Founding Partner of Alliance Residential; former President/COO of Gables Residential following its 1994 IPO. Earlier led south Texas for Trammell Crow Residential and was a CPA at Ernst & Young. UT Austin BBA.

Founder, AngelSpan, Inc.

Joe Milam

30+ years in investment and fintech. Pioneered angel investing infrastructure including cap-table management and investor relations tools. Featured in Barron's and Forbes. Dedicated to improving funding experiences for entrepreneurs and investors.

Partner, Greenwood & Cavalier

Raleigh Dewan

Entrepreneur and investor who has founded and exited three companies across CPG, SaaS, and MedTech. Manages the venture portfolio at Greenwood & Cavalier and advises family offices on private-market strategy. Creator of SteadiSpoon, a patented assistive device featured on Fox News, NBC, and The Dallas Morning News. National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholar, Coca-Cola Scholar, and Texas Business Hall of Fame Future Business Legend. Serves on multiple SMU boards including Engineering and Biotech Entrepreneurship.

Meet our full Advisory Board →

Turning alternative assets into lasting philanthropic capital