Creating a Fund at the Community Foundation is an easy way to invest in our community.  By establishing a fund today, your client can support favorite charities during their lifetime.  Many of our donors add to their funds each year, recommend grants on a regular basis, and name the fund in their wills.

As a public charity, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region offers donors the maximum charitable tax deduction permitted by law.  It may be advantageous for your client to make a current gift based on this year’s tax situation, and to determine grants from their fund in future years.
 

Opening a fund at the Community Foundation is quick and easy - in most cases, the fund is operational in less than 24 hours. It can be done by you on behalf of your client, or you may refer your client to us directly. Our donor services team is here to help meet their objectives.  The Community Fund is able to keep it just as simple to set up a fund for the future - as part of your client’s estate plan, for example.
 

Below are the simple steps to establishing a fund.

• Identify your client's charitable purpose(s) or intent(s). This can range from highly specific - for example, an alma mater, church, or synagogue - to general in scope.

• Select the type of fund that best fulfills that purpose or intent.

• Complete a simple fund agreement to make your client's intentions clear. Depending on the type of fund being established, your clients should designate current fund advisors (such as themselves) and successor advisors (their children or grandchildren).

• Name the fund. Funds can be named after the donor, his or her family, a cause, or something else entirely. Donors can also choose to remain anonymous.

• Activate the fund by making an establishing gift.