Create a New Fund

Creating a fund is simple:

1.  Identify your charitable purposes(s) or intent(s) – This can range from highly specific – for example, an alma mater – to general in scope, such as “general charitable purposes.”

2.  Select the type of fund that best fulfills that purpose or intent – Consult the Types of Funds section of this website for details.

3.  Name the Fund – Fund names may take virtually any form – the donor’s name or family name, a cause-related name, or something else entirely. Donors may also choose to remain anonymous. Depending on the type of fund established, you may designate current fund advisors, such as yourself, and successor advisors such as your children. This information will be included in the governing document.

4.  Complete a simple fund agreement – Our staff can easily help you to complete a fund application that makes your intentions clear.

5.  Activate the fund by making an establishing gift – There are many ways to contribute to a fund. Once the fund is established, you can:

• Add to the fund at any time, in any dollar amount
• Specify how grant disbursements should be acknowledged. Donors may make a grant using their fund’s name or they may remain anonymous
• Make grants to any non-profit organization across the United States (Donor Advised fund only, and must be vetted by Community Foundation)

We are here to help you each step of the way. Of course, we encourage potential donors to consult with their attorneys, tax advisors, accountants, and financial planners to learn more about the benefits of charitable lifetime giving and sound estate planning.