Establishing a fund - or contributing to an existing fund - at The Community Foundation is simple. A variety of assets are acceptable as gifts and the staff is happy to help you identify the appropriate course for giving. All approved contributions are tax deductible.

Gifts may be made to:

• An existing agency fund,
• A new fund that you establish,
• The Unrestricted Community Fund, so that the Grants Committee can make decisions on grants based on the most current needs of the community, or

Establishing a Charitable Fund

It is easy to create your own fund.

• First, decide how you would like to make the contribution to establish the fund. You may contribute cash, securities, life insurance, retirement savings, business assets, closely held stocks, real estate or other property valued at $10,000 or more.
• Select a name for your fund. You might want to use your own name, the name of a family member or one which provides you with anonymity.
• Designate current fund advisors, such as yourself and spouse, and successor advisors such as your children.
• Complete an application and our professional staff will then utilize the confidential information to put together a personalized fund agreement just for you.
• Sign a fund agreement.

Once your fund is established, you may:

• Add to the fund at any time in any dollar amount.
• Recommend distributions from your fund to charities locally, throughout the United States and in some cases in foreign countries. There is no limit to the number of grants you can award each year.
• Specify how grant disbursements are to be acknowledged - whether in the name of the fund or anonymously.
• Receive personalized information from the Foundation about charities that meet your philanthropic goals in your own community and beyond.
• Receive follow-up and outcomes from any grants you made to support a program, if requested.

To help you decide the best way for you to give, please contact our office to have one of our philanthropic professionals assist you in developing a personalized fund agreement.