Flexible Fund Options

We Have a Variety of Charitable Funds to Fit Your Giving Goals

Dr. Monroe and Sandra Trout have established endowment funds within the Community Foundation to provide lasting support to the Appleton art museum that now bears their name.

Donor Advised Fund – A personal approach to giving. You recommend grants for charitable causes that have special meaning for you, your family or your business.

Designated Fund – A targeted approach to giving. You choose one or more charitable organizations to receive ongoing support.

Agency Fund –  A sustaining approach to giving. Established by a charitable organization as an enduring source of its own support and stability.

Field of Interest Fund – A focused approach to giving. You support a broad charitable cause but allow the Community Foundation to select nonprofit projects or programs that meet your giving goals as grant recipients.

Unrestricted Fund – A flexible approach to giving. You give the Community Foundation Board and committees the means and the freedom to make grants that address ever-changing community needs. (Example: Donating to the Community Vision Fund to help our communities flourish for all.)

Scholarship Fund – A generational approach to giving. You work with the Community Foundation to establish criteria for selecting deserving students, whether it be ability, need, pursuit of a particular field of study or others. You may choose to be involved in awarding the scholarship.

VISIT HOW TO CREATE A FUND TO GET STARTED

How much do I need?

A minimum of $10,000 ($15,000 for scholarships) is required to begin grantmaking. However, a Future Fund can be started with a minimum of $1,000.

How long will the fund last?

You decide the time frame for your giving. Many donors choose to create a permanent endowment to support their favorite causes in perpetuity with a gift of $10,000 or more ($15,000 for scholarship funds). An endowed fund may distribute up to 4.5% of its asset value each year. The balance remains invested for future years. If a permanent endowment does not suit your charitable goals, you may establish a non-endowed fund. Grants may be awarded from the fund in any amount, and at any time. If all fund assets are distributed, the fund will be closed. No minimum gift amount or balance applies to non-endowed funds.

As investment returns vary, so will the distribution amount, as shown below:

Illustration only. While investment performance cannot be guaranteed, the Foundation strives to preserve the purchasing power of endowed funds over the long term.

What to Give

When you establish a charitable fund, your contribution is fully tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Additionally, funds can be opened with most types of assets—cash, stock, property—and can also receive legacy and planned gifts. Note: Under current law, IRA transfers to donor advised funds don’t qualify, but other types of funds do qualify

What’s allowed?

Generally, organizations eligible to receive grants from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region are those determined by the IRS to be public charities. This encompasses most charitable, scientific, social service, educational and religious organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, as well as government agencies. We encourage you to contact the Community Foundation if you have any question about an organization’s charitable status.

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