is it possible to set up a trust to benefit a charity where the donor
remains anonymous?

Hey daisy1-ga,

It looks like this is definitely something that can be done. Searching
simply on

"anonymous charitable trust"

provided a number of hits on documents from organisations such as this
wildlife trust:

http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk/Brueton/brueton-supporters.htm

here's a US organisation:

http://www.otrassn.com/otr/5donor.html

For a little general info, here's an excerpt from a page on Amnesty
International's site:

http://www.amnestyusa.org/join/other/annuity.html

   A charitable remainder trust allows you to make an irrevocable gift
and receive income from that gift for life, or for a set number of
years. You also receive a charitable income tax deduction based on the
value of the gift. Donors may choose from two types of charitable
remainder trusts: the annuity trust pays a fixed dollar amount
regardless of the trust’s performance, and the unitrust pays a
predetermined percentage of the annual fair market value of the
trust’s assets.

   The annuity trust is best for donors who seek a regular, fixed
income and prefer knowing the amount of the payment in advance.
Additional contributions may be made to a unitrust, which offers some
protection against inflation.

Here's one more document referring to planned gifts in general:

http://www.fftc.org/about/giving_guide/plannedgifts.pdf

The laws governing estate planning will vary somewhat from state to
state, so obviously you should consult an attorney on a matter such as
this. Here's a link to a site that deals with California law:

http://www.plan-my-estate.com/

Hope this can help you give 'til it hurts! :-)

mmi-ga

When I signed on to google answers I put in my question and proceeded.
 Before I was told that my question was posted, I was referred out of
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led me back to a blank ask a question page. I thought my first
question had been erased so I submitted my question again.  It turns
out that google posted both questions.  Therefore, because the sign in
process was unclear, I believe I should receive a refund for the
second posting.