Questions, answered
The short version: you save in an account that is yours, your people give with paperwork handled, and the money only ever moves toward a closing. The longer versions are below.
What is Dreamfund?
Dreamfund is a community-backed down payment savings platform. You open a home fund with a goal, and the people who want you to own a home (family, friends, your employer) give toward it. Every gift is documented for your mortgage, so the support you already have becomes money a lender can count.
Is Dreamfund a bank?
No. Your savings sit in a deposit account opened in your own name at a partner bank. Dreamfund is the program manager and technology partner that runs your fund, the gift letters, and the documentation around that account.
How do gifts from family and friends work?
You share your fund, and supporters give toward your goal with a note of encouragement. Each gift lands in the deposit account in your name at the partner bank, and Dreamfund records who gave, how much, and when.
What is a gift letter, and why does my lender need one?
A gift letter is a signed statement recording the gift amount, the giver's name and relationship to you, and that no repayment is expected. Lenders require one for every gift so they can verify your down payment money is a true gift, not an undisclosed loan. Dreamfund generates a lender-ready letter for every gift automatically.
Will my lender accept gifts made through Dreamfund?
Gift letters generated by Dreamfund meet agency documentation standards, and every dollar arrives with a source and a timestamp. Which gifts count, and from whom, depends on your loan program, so confirm the specifics with your loan officer or a HUD-approved counselor.
Can my whole down payment come from gift funds?
Often, yes. FHA loans allow the entire minimum down payment to come from eligible gift sources, and conventional programs accept gifts from family members under their own rules. Your loan program sets the donor and documentation rules, so check them before counting on a single source.
What do supporters see when they give?
Supporters see your goal, your progress toward it, and the note they leave you. They never see your bank details or account statements. A gift is a gift: supporters hold no stake in your home and no claim on your money.
Are gifts toward a down payment taxable?
The recipient generally owes no income tax on a genuine gift. Givers have an annual per-recipient exclusion under federal gift tax rules ($19,000 in 2026), and larger gifts may require the giver to file a return even when no tax is due. This is general guidance, not tax advice; a tax professional can confirm how the rules apply to you.
When does the money leave my fund?
At closing. Funds release only to a licensed settlement agent handling your purchase, never as walk-away cash. Until then, the money waits in the deposit account in your name.
What happens if I decide not to buy?
Contributions return to the people who gave them. Under the fund-disposition policy, a fund that sits inactive for 12 months starts the return process, with a 90-day window to resume your plan first. Nobody's generosity gets stranded.
What does Dreamfund cost?
Dreamfund is free to start. Final pricing will be published at launch, and you will see it before you commit to anything.
What is the Dream Score?
The Dream Score maps the down payment assistance programs and employer benefits you may qualify for and turns them into one clear readiness picture. It takes about 4 minutes, it is free, and it does not touch your credit.
Can my employer contribute?
Yes. Employers run match programs through Dreamfund, giving alongside your own savings and your community's gifts. Employer contributions land in the same deposit account with the same documentation trail your lender needs.
Can I combine Dreamfund with down payment assistance programs?
In many cases, yes. Gifts, employer contributions, and assistance programs can often be layered toward the same purchase, subject to your loan program's rules. The Dream Score maps which programs you may qualify for, so you can plan the full stack early.
How does Dreamfund protect my privacy?
Your personal and financial information is used to run your fund and its documentation, never sold. Supporters see your goal and progress, not your account details.
What is the ROAD Act, and what does it have to do with Dreamfund?
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is the 2026 federal housing law that expands down payment assistance, appraisal rights, and small-dollar mortgage access. Dreamfund gives buyers the documented savings to put that expanded access to work.
Is housing counseling part of Dreamfund?
Yes. HUD-approved housing counseling is integrated into the platform, because buyers who complete counseling close at higher rates and make stronger decisions. Counseling also unlocks many assistance programs that require an approved course.