How to Start a Fund

1. Let’s talk. It starts with a conversation. We learn what you care about most and explore the types of funds that fit. What are you trying to accomplish?
2. Choose your focus. Your fund supports what matters to you: scholarships, nonprofits, or community needs.
3. Pick your fund type. We’ll help you choose between endowed and non-endowed, advised or designated, short-term or long-term.
4. Make your initial gift. Give cash, stock, IRA distributions, or even real estate.
5. Set your intent. You sign a simple agreement that captures your goals. We honor that intent—now and for generations to come.
6. Track your giving easily. Use GOfund, our secure donor portal, to view fund activity, recommend grants, and download statements—24/7.

Types of Funds

• Donor Advised Funds – You recommend grants to charitable causes over time. We handle the rest.
• Field of Interest Funds – Focus on an issue you care about. We identify trusted nonprofits doing the work.
• Scholarship Funds – Help students pursue education. We manage applications and disbursements.
• Designated Funds – Support a specific nonprofit or group of organizations.
• Unrestricted Funds – Trust the Community Foundation to apply your gift where it’s needed most locally.
• Agency Funds – Help a nonprofit you love build long-term financial stability.
• Legacy Funds – Plan now for future giving through your estate or will.

What You Can Give

We accept a variety of assets to help you create the fund that’s right for you. Some gifts are simple. Others require planning. All can make a difference.

• Cash – An easy and immediate way to give.
• Publicly Traded Securities – Transfer appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds for tax-smart giving.
• Closely Held Business Interests – We can work with your advisors to accept S-corp or C-corp shares, LLC interests, and more.
• Retirement Assets – IRA, 401(k), or other tax-deferred accounts can be given directly or designated through your estate.
• Life Insurance – Name the Community Foundation as a beneficiary or gift an existing policy.
• Real Estate – Gifts of land, rental property, or personal residences can provide tax benefits and community impact.

We’ll work closely with you and your advisors to ensure your gift is structured wisely and aligns with your goals.

Tax-Smart Giving

Giving through the Community Foundation may offer tax advantages:

• Avoid capital gains by donating appreciated stock or real estate
• Take advantage of IRA charitable rollovers (QCDs)
• Reduce taxable estate assets through planned gifts

We encourage you to consult your advisor—and we’re happy to work with them.

Setting Up Your Fund

• Start awarding scholarships with a gift of $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the type of fund.” and move to the end of the bullet list under Setting Up Your Fund
• Agreements are simple and tailored to your wishes
• View and manage your fund through GOfund, our online donor portal
• Our team handles compliance, grantmaking, scholarships, and investment management

We believe generosity should be easy to act on—and even easier to maintain.

Fees and Requirements

We charge a modest administrative fee of just 0.25%, among the lowest in the field. This fee covers:

• Fund administration and IRS compliance
• Scholarship and grant processing
• Donor services and fund reporting
• Professional investment oversight

This approach is part of our commitment to inspiring generosity.

Year-End Giving Tips

As the calendar year closes, giving can make a big impact:

• Initiate stock or IRA gifts early to ensure year-end credit.
• December 31 is the IRS deadline for tax-deductible giving.
• Connect with us by early December to avoid last-minute stress.

We’re here to help you plan ahead—and finish the year with meaning.

Meet Your Development Team: