A Fully Outsourced Solution
Focus on
doing good.
Outsource
the rest.
Edward Charles Foundation is the premiere outsourced back-office platform for fiscal sponsorship and donor advised funds — trusted by music, sports, and entertainment industry leaders, RIAs, wealth managers, family offices, and their high-net-worth clients.
Proven Track Record
$350M
Deployed in charitable funds
280+
Active projects incubated
18
Years of expertise
4/4
Charity Navigator stars
Who we serve
Music & talent agents · Sports managers · Entertainment lawyers · RIAs · Wealth managers · Family offices · High-net-worth individuals
Edward Charles Foundation is the gold standard — the premiere outsourced solution for handling all back-office needs for fiscal sponsor and donor advised funds.
Charity Navigator
4 out of 4 stars Independently audited 501(c)(3)
The Outsourced Platform
We handle everything,
so you don't have to
Compliance & Legal
Full 501(c)(3) regulatory compliance, attorney general rules, fundraising regulations, and governance oversight — handled entirely by ECF's legal team.
Full-Charge Accounting
Bill payment, payroll, receivables, bank reconciliations, investment account reconciliations, and reporting for non-cash charitable gifts.
Proprietary Technology
Purpose-built software with secure client portal, real-time dashboards, AI integrations, automated reconciliations, and white-label capability.
Disbursements & Grants
Weekly checks, wires, and ACH disbursements. Domestic and international grants managed with full charity check verification and oversight.
HR & Payroll
Complete human resources infrastructure — payroll, W-2s, 1099 reporting, compensation rules compliance, and contract review managed end-to-end.
Educational Events
Ongoing philanthropic education — accelerator programs, webinars, events, and direct access to best practices from a team with 100+ years of combined experience.
501(c)(3) organizations are governed by complex and ever-evolving rules and regulations. Edward Charles Foundation assumes full responsibility for handling this, including accounting, HR, reporting, legal and compliance — transforming 501(c)(3) complexity into a safe and secure experience.
Back-Office Services
Everything ECF
handles for you
Risk Mitigation. Operational Outsourcing. Best Practices. Scaling Impact.
Focus On Doing Good
Outsource The Rest
Fully Outsourced Governance & Oversight
ECF assumes HR, fiduciary, administrative, and operational responsibility under our established 501(c)(3) framework so you and your clients can focus on having a positive philanthropic impact.
Risk Reduction
Protects against self-dealing issues, compensation issues, accounting errors, reporting deficiencies, governance failures, and tax compliance exposure.
Transparent Reports
Delivers clarity, financial oversight, and disciplined reporting that build trust with donors, advisors, partners, and your teams.
Operational Efficiency
Removes administrative burden and streamlines charitable operations through proven systems, processes, and best practices.
Focus on Impact
Enables your clients and your team the ability to concentrate on philanthropic strategy — knowing every operational, legal, and compliance detail is handled with precision.
Proprietary Software & Technology
Built from 18 years
of operational insight
Edward Charles Foundation has spent years building proprietary software and technology to be an industry leader — automating and streamlining the full spectrum of back-office functions for 501(c)(3)s.
Efficiency & Accuracy
Delivering efficiency, accuracy, and transparent accounting across the board for fiscally sponsored projects and donor-advised fund activity.
Efficiency & Accuracy
Delivering efficiency, accuracy, and transparent accounting across the board for fiscally sponsored projects and donor-advised fund activity.
Powerful AI Integrations
AI-driven tools thoughtfully integrated to enhance transparency, accuracy, and informed decision-making at every level.
Automated Reconciliations
Real-time reconciliations and reporting that eliminate manual errors and keep every account in perfect alignment.
Platform Features
Fully Secure Client Portal & Dashboard
Donation & Disbursement Tracking
Gifts & Grants Tracking
Access to Relevant Legal Documents
Financial Statements Archive
Bill Payment Portal
Invoice Tracker
Expected Donations Tracking
Charitable Fundraising Event Tracking
Instant Charity Checker
Customizable User Access
Powerful AI Integrations
Real-Time Account Balance
Automated Reconciliations / Reporting
White Label
Who We Serve
Trusted by the industry's best
ECF proudly partners with the most respected names across finance, law, entertainment, and sports — providing the infrastructure for their clients to give with confidence and impact.
Business Managers
Business managers representing artists, athletes, and entertainers who need a trusted back-office partner to handle every aspect of their clients' charitable activity.
Advisors & Consultants
Philanthropic advisors and financial consultants who integrate charitable giving strategies into comprehensive client planning — backed by ECF's full infrastructure.
Attorneys
Entertainment, estate planning, and tax attorneys who rely on ECF to execute compliant charitable structures for their high-profile and high-net-worth clients.
RIAs & CPAs
Registered investment advisors and CPAs who want to deliver best-in-class philanthropic solutions and tax-optimized charitable strategies to discerning clients.
Industries we specialize in
- Music & Talent Agents
- Sports Managers
- Wealth Managers
- Family Offices
- High-Net-Worth Clients
- Talent Agencies
- Health Care
- Technology
Unparalleled Expertise
Focus on
doing good.
Outsource
the rest.
Our Commitment
Everything we cover
Accounting Prowess
Full-charge accounting managed end-to-end
Bill Payment
Payroll & W-2
Receivables
Charitable Receipt Generation
Monthly Financial Statements
End of Year Reporting
Domestic & International Grants
W-9 and 1099 Reporting
Management of Bank Accounts
Bank Reconciliations
Investment Account Reconciliations *
Reporting for Non-Cash Charitable Gifts *
Compliance & Governance
Regulatory oversight, legal, and best practices
General 501(c)(3) Administration
Fundraising Rules & Regulations
Governance & Reporting
Human Resources
Donor Advised Fund Rules
Investment Rules
Self-dealing Rules
Compensation Rules
Contract Review
Educational Events
International Grants Rules
Charitable Gifts Deductibility
Attorney General Rules
Best Practices
Do's & Don'ts
Tips & Tricks for Doing Good
$2M
1,000+
500+
2,300+
Charitable Account Options
8 ways to structure
your charitable giving
ECF administers eight distinct charitable fund structures under our established 501(c)(3) umbrella. Whether you’re a first-time philanthropist or a seasoned advisor managing complex client portfolios, we help you identify and establish the right vehicle — and handle everything from there.
[fund_image key="model_a"]
Model A
Fiscal Sponsorship
[fund_image key="model_c"]
Model C
Fiscal Sponsorship
[fund_image key="model_l"]
Model L
Legacy & Memorial
[fund_image key="charitable_events"]
Charitable Events
Event-Based Fundraising
[fund_image key="focus_funds"]
Focus Funds
Directed Giving
[fund_image key="corporate_charitable"]
Corporate Charitable Arms
Corporate Initiative
[fund_image key="donor_directed"]
Donor Directed Investment Accounts
Investment-Driven Giving
[fund_image key="supporting_org"]
Supporting Organizations
Structured Support
Not sure which structure is right for you? Take the quiz.
Answer a few questions and ECF will identify the best fund structure for your charitable goals.
The ECF Edge
What makes us different
Purpose-Built Technology
Custom-developed from nearly two decades of experience in charitable accounting and regulatory compliance to streamline operations, reduce errors, and eliminate administrative friction — helping you and your clients do good without breaking the rules.
Secure Client Dashboard
Fully secure, customizable online portal with real-time account access, tailored reporting, and thoughtfully integrated AI-driven tools designed to enhance transparency and accuracy across every fund.
Human-Centered Service
Highly personalized, white-glove support from dedicated professionals who understand each client's unique mission and goals — responsive, relationship-driven, and always in your corner.
Operational Confidence
Technology and expertise working together to simplify complex workflows, support informed decision-making, and ensure regulatory alignment with best practice insight at the highest level.
Focus on Impact
By combining intuitive technology with responsive, relationship-driven service, ECF enables your clients to operate efficiently, stay informed, and focus their energy on maximizing meaningful impact.
Education & Resources
Philanthropic knowledge
at every level
ECF equips philanthropists, advisors, and fund managers with the education and tools needed to navigate the complex world of 501(c)(3) compliance and maximize impact.
What you'll learn
Topics covered across ECF’s accelerator programs, educational events, and advisory sessions:
501(c)(3) Administration Fundamentals
Rules, governance, reporting requirements, and the full compliance landscape for public charities.
Charitable Gifts & Deductibility
Maximizing tax advantages — cash vs. asset contributions, AGI limitations, and deductibility rules for donors.
International Grants Rules
How to fund global programs and mission trips compliantly — equivalency determinations, expenditure responsibility, and more.
Self-Dealing & Compensation Rules
Understanding private benefit, self-dealing prohibitions, and how the ECF structure mitigates risk for fund managers.
Donor Advised Fund Best Practices
Timing of contributions, investment options, grant recommendations, and successor advisor planning for DAF holders.
Investment Rules for Charities
Prudent investor standards, jeopardizing investments, program-related investments, and how charitable assets can grow compliantly.
Programs & Resources
Access ECF’s full library of educational programs, events, and media:
Program
Accelerator Program
Hands-on training for new and emerging philanthropists navigating fiscal sponsorship and charitable fund management for the first time.
Program
Advanced Accelerator Program
Deep-dive curriculum for seasoned philanthropists, advisors, and fund managers seeking advanced compliance and strategy knowledge.
Webinar
Donor Advised Fund Webinar Series
Ongoing educational webinars covering DAF rules, strategy, tax optimization, and best practices for advisors and their clients.
Tool
Which Charitable Fund Quiz
Answer a few questions to determine the best charitable fund structure — fiscal sponsor, DAF, or beyond — for your specific goals.
Media
Blog · Videos · Podcasts
An extensive library of case studies, published articles, video content, and podcasts on all facets of modern philanthropy.
Executive Team
The people behind the platform
A seasoned team of legal, financial, and philanthropic professionals with a combined century of experience — dedicated to one mission: making your giving work.
Kent E. Seton
CEO, CFO & Chairman of the Board
Kent E. Seton, Esq., is the CEO, CFO and Chairman of the Board of the Edward Charles Foundation and a practicing lawyer in the philanthropic sector with his highly active law firm, Seton & Associates. He is a well-known speaker with published legal articles on tax and corporate matters affecting the philanthropy world.
- [email protected]
- linkedin.com/in/kentseton
Kirk Scott
Director of Client Services
Kirk Scott is the Director of Client Services for the Edward Charles Foundation and creates positive change in communities by collaborating closely with leaders from the NBA, MLB, NFL, and Entertainment — with a philanthropic vision, supplying those leaders with the clarity, tools, partnerships, and decades of experience in order to effectively execute their vision.
- [email protected]
- linkedin.com/in/sportsphilanthropy/
Tani Stephens
Operations Lead
Tani Stephens is the Operations Lead at Edward Charles Foundation, overseeing daily operations and ensuring clients receive top-notch support. She regularly engages with clients to address inquiries and enhance their overall experience across all fund activities.
- [email protected]
- linkedin.com/in/tani-stephens-164584b3
Board of Directors
- Kent E. Seton
- Andrew Altschule
- Kevin Gregorenko
Get Started Today
Ready to make a
lasting difference?
Join over 2,300 philanthropists who trust Edward Charles Foundation to manage their charitable back-office. Open your fund in less than a week, all at a fair and reasonable cost.