> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.charityvest.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

A walkthrough of everything you need to establish and use a donor-advised fund with Charityvest.

{% hint style="info" %}
**If you are part of a custom DAF program,** reach out to your program contact for account setup details or email us at <support@charityvest.org>.
{% endhint %}

**We created Charityvest to unlock more charitable people: to help you give, and give more.**

Our simple, modern DAF platform lets everyone enjoy tax-smart, purposeful giving through a world-class experience. A few simple steps will get you started on your Charityvest giving journey:

1. [**Create an Account**](/for-donors/getting-started/create-an-account.md)\
   Create a Charityvest fund in a matter of minutes using our simple setup process requiring minimal personal information.
2. [**Make a Contribution**](/for-donors/getting-started/fund-your-account.md)\
   Once your account is open, you'll have several options to make your first contribution to your account, including linking your bank or credit card, transferring funds from an existing DAF, or making a contribution of non-cash assets.
3. [**Activate Investing**](/for-donors/getting-started/enable-investing.md)\
   If appropriate for your charitable plans, activate investing on your account. We'll invest your Charityvest fund in the portfolio you select and rebalance it automatically.
4. [**Grant to Charity**](/for-donors/getting-started/grants-to-charity.md)\
   Where the rubber meets the road. Make good on your commitments with thoughtful gifts to the charities you most care about, that can do the most good in the world, and are most worthy of your support. We'll send your gifts twice a month, with zero fees, directly to the charities.

You can also learn more about [**Scheduling Future Giving**](/for-donors/getting-started/recurring-contributions.md), [**Sending Charitable Gift Cards**](/for-donors/getting-started/send-a-charityvest-gift-card.md), and adding beneficiary charities and people to your account to [**Leave a Giving Legacy**](/for-donors/getting-started/legacy-plan.md).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://guide.charityvest.org/for-donors/getting-started.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.