Create a Fund

Create a Fund

Decide When to Give

[Photo] An elderly woman helping a toddler walk.

You can create your fund now, establish it in your will, or create it through a trust arrangement that benefits your family as well as charity. You may give in honor of an anniversary, to celebrate a special event or to support a cause. Tax deductions are earned at the time of your gift, while grants awarded from your fund will continue into the future.

Decide What to Give

Almost any kind of asset can be used to start your funds, such as cash, publicly traded securities, closely held stock, interests in limited partnerships, real estate, life insurance and private foundation assets. We can also discuss other options with you, such as bequests, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts and charitable lead trusts.

Choose the Name for Your Fund

Most of our funds are named for the donor (individual, family, business, association or organization) or as a memorial to someone special. Every grant from the fund will carry this name. If you prefer anonymity, you may choose a name that reflects your fund's charitable purposes.

Choose a Type of Fund

We offer a variety of funds that are flexible to meet our donors' different charitable interests.

Types of Funds

Endowing Your Nonprofit

The Community Foundation's Executive Director, Norma Schuiteman, can help you decide whether an agency endowment fund is right for your organization. Establishing an endowment lets donors know that the fund's principal will not be spent and can grow over time, providing long-term income. Donors can contribute directly to your endowment through The Foundation.

Other benefits from placing your fund with The Foundation include oversight from an investment committee comprised of local professionals and increased visibility among potential donors to the endowment. By placing your endowment with The Foundation, you can focus on your agency's mission, rather than investment management or fund administration.

The Community Foundation's endowment partners are: