Welcome to the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. We are one of more than 800 similar tax-exempt public charities throughout the United States that work to make our communities better places to live and work. We are a local organization managed by residents of the community who have in-depth knowledge as to needs and causes. And we are led by a board of directors who have a vested interest – both for now – and in our future.
The Community Foundation was created by, and for, the people of the City of Winchester, and the Counties of Clarke, Frederick and Warren in 2001. We exist to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, streamlining annual giving, strengthening nonprofits, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.
The Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley… looking forward – by giving back.
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News
A quick note about what’s up at the IRS
The team at the community foundation is closely tracking the IRS’s proposed regulations concerning donor-advised funds, issued in November 2023. Note that these regulations are just “proposed”; it is unclear whether and to what extent they will become final. The...
What happens when I leave a bequest to my fund at the community foundation?
Many donors and fund holders at the community foundation have updated their estate plans to leave a bequest to their donor-advised or other type of fund. Some bequests take the form of a “specific bequest,” which means that the fund at the community foundation...
Big or small, every gift matters
Simplicity, efficiency, and effectiveness have long been cornerstones of working with the community foundation to carry out charitable goals. Time and time again at the community foundation, we see how easily donors who’ve established a donor-advised or other type of...
Estate planning: One of the best ways to show you care
Money, mortality, and family relationships. Each of those topics alone can be tough for anyone to address head on, and when you combine them, it’s no wonder so many people put off setting up or updating their estate plans. Establishing a will, trust, and beneficiary...
Three things every philanthropist must know about the gift and estate tax sunset
The shorter days of fall and winter aren’t the only sunsets creeping up on people these days. If you’ve met with your estate planning attorney and tax advisors recently, you’re probably aware that the gift and estate tax exemption–the total amount you can leave to...
Structured philanthropy: A process relieves the pressure
Helping families create a meaningful structure for their philanthropy has long been a hallmark service of the community foundation. That structure and the resulting discipline are increasingly important as both wealth and charitable giving more frequently span...
CFNSV now has a
Guidestar Platinum Seal!