For Donors

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 wishes. We encourage you to contact our friendly and experienced team by phone at 360.705.3340 or via email to get started on your new fund journey.

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. 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

We also make it easy to convert your assets into charitable impact. 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, 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 listing below to better understand our fund options. We can also have a conversation with you, and help you determine which fund type is best for you.

Name 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 gift made from the fund will carry this name. If you prefer anonymity, you may choose a name that reflects your fund’s charitable purposes.

Choose How Your Gift is Invested

The Community Foundation can has investment options that are designed to help you meet your philanthropic goals. We can help you give perpetuity or retain liquidity for immediate giving, invest your gift in a socially responsible investment fund, or event have your current advisor continue to manage the funds.

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

Donor Advised Funds

Scholarship Funds

Agency Funds

Designated Funds

Questions?

Contact our knowledgable staff 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)

"At any age, we all have assets to share. Small amounts make a difference. And we really are all in this together.”

- Janet, Community Foundation Fund Holder

“Philanthropy is an important piece of helping to sustain a thriving, healthy community... the dividends are a healthier, vibrant community.”

- Give Local Donor

"I know I can pick up the phone and call the CommunityFoundation and they'll take our call... I've been incredibly impressed with the generosity and sense of togetherness I've encountered in the South Sound. This community is strong because of that and only because of that."

- Brian, Local Nonprofit Leader