Creating a new fund at Your Community Foundation is an easy, personalized process. Our professional staff is happy to work with you and/or your legal, tax, or investment advisor on the various options available to create your best giving plan. When you create a fund with us, you will:

Choose the Type of Fund

• An Endowed Fund continues in perpetuity and furthers Your Community Foundation’s mission of building a permanent source of funds for our community. This type fund balances the current needs of beneficiaries with the needs of the future by granting up to 5% of the fund balance each year.
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• A Non-endowed or Pass-Through Fund’s balance is completely available for granting to qualified charitable organizations at any time.

Choose the Grant Distribution Method

• Donor Advised Fund. You retain the right to recommend grants to the charities of your choice.
• Unrestricted Fund. Grants are made by the Community Foundation's Grants Committee.
• Designated Fund. Annual grants are made to charities you designate in your Fund Agreement.
• Field of Interest Fund. Grants are made to meet needs in the areas of interest identified in your Fund Agreement.

Select a Giving Method to Open Your Fund

• Outright Gift. You can make a gift of cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, or other assets to your community foundation. Your gift qualifies for maximum charitable benefits under state and federal law.
• Bequest. You can designate a gift or portion of your estate to your community foundation and, in some cases, receive a substantial reduction in federal gift and estate taxes.
• Gift Annuity. You can make a gift of cash or property to your community foundation now, get immediate tax benefits, and ensure that you or a loved one receive fixed quarterly or annual income payments for life.
• Charitable Remainder Trust. You can place cash or property in a trust that pays annual income to you (or another named beneficiary) for life. After your death, the remainder of the trust transfers to your community foundation and is placed in a charitable fund you've selected. You receive income tax benefits the year you establish your trust.
• Charitable Lead Trust. You can place cash or property in a trust that pays a fixed amount to your fund at the community foundation for the number of years you select. Once this period ends, the assets held by the trust are transferred to the beneficiaries you name. In some cases, you receive a substantial reduction in federal gift and estate taxes.   

Select an Investment Option and Advisor for your Fund Assets

• Money market
• Fixed Income Investment Pool
• Balanced Investment Pool
• Equity Investment Pool
• Index Funds
• Select an Investment Advisor, provided this advisor is approved by Your Community Foundation's Investment Committee

Each individual, family, or organization has unique charitable interests…and financial circumstances. Your Community Foundation serves you to help make the most of both, so you receive the greatest return on your community investment.