Establish a Fund
Charitable giving should be a joy, not a burden.
We offer flexible giving options and six different fund types to meet donors’ interests and charitable goals. The fund type that works best for you ultimately depends on how involved you wish to be in making grants or distributions from your fund. We welcome the opportunity to connect with you to better understand your goals, and how we can best support your greatest community wishes.
Customizing Your Fund
Decide When to Give
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. Gifts from the fund can be presented in honor of an anniversary, to celebrate a special event, or to support a worthy 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
We make it easy to convert your assets into charitable impact. Almost any kind of asset can be used to start a fund, 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, gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts, and charitable lead trusts.
Choose from 1 of 6 Fund Types
We encourage you to review the list below to gain a better understanding of our fund options. We can also have a conversation with you to help determine which fund type will best achieve your goals.
Name Your Fund
Most of our funds are named after the donor (individual, family, business, association, or organization) or in memory of someone special. Every gift made from the fund will carry this name. If you prefer anonymity, you may choose a name that reflects your fund’s charitable purpose.
Choose How Your Gift is Invested
The Community Foundation offers investment options designed to help you achieve your philanthropic goals. We can help you make a gift in perpetuity or retain liquidity for immediate giving, invest your gift in a socially responsible investment fund, or even have your current advisor continue to manage the fund.
Contact Us
To establish a new fund or to learn more, reach out to our Philanthropy Team by email at giving@thecommunityfoundation.com or give us a call at 360.705.3340 to start a conversation.
There are 6 Basic Types of Funds
Community Funds
These funds, also called discretionary funds, provide the greatest flexibility to the Foundation in its goal of responding to changing needs & emerging opportunities. These funds are used to support our grantmaking and community impact programs.
Field of Interest Funds
These funds are for donors who wish to support grants focused on a specific cause or interest, such as the arts, education, health, the environment, and more. These funds can also name a specific geographic area. Once established, grantmaking is informed and managed by the Foundation in accordance with the fund's charitable purpose.
Donor Advised Funds
Simplify your giving and maximize your impact with a donor advised fund that acts as your charitable giving account, providing flexibility to give to a variety of causes on your schedule. These funds are a flexible tool for individuals, families, and businesses who want to participate actively in the grantmaking process.
Scholarship Funds
A scholarship fund helps students pursue their higher education goals by increasing access to education. Donors can establish scholarship criteria tailored to their interests and our community's needs or leave it to the discretion of the Community Foundation.
Agency Funds
Designed for nonprofits, these funds enable your team to accept complex gifts and maintain endowments effortlessly. You concentrate on building relationships; we offer professional investment management and administrative services.
Designated Funds
These funds provide regular support to one or more of your favorite charitable organizations. You "designate" or select charities when you create your fund, and the Community Foundation's staff distributes grants automatically.
Questions?
Contact our Philanthropy Team if you are interested in starting a charitable fund or have questions about donor services.
Community Foundation Giving Guide
Download our Giving Guide today to better understand your options and how you can work with our staff to champion the causes and areas of interest you are most interested in giving back to across our communities.
Download Giving Guide (PDF)
