Ways of Giving

Although The Community Foundation offers a variety of vehicles for giving, there are basically two avenues.

The first option is to establish your own fund from which grants are made. Under “Endowments” you are presented with a variety of funds through which you can fulfill your philanthropic needs. You might establish a donor advised fund in which you advise on the recipients of the grants, or you can ask The Foundation to make the grant decisions with a Community or Field of Interest Fund. You also have the opportunity to set up a scholarship or a charitable gift annuity from which you receive an annual income.

If you do not have a fund with The Community Foundation, then you have the opportunity to give in any amount to the Community Endowment Fund (also known as Sustaining Membership). The Foundation’s Grant Distribution Committee decides each year, through the review of proposals and fulfillment of guidelines, the recipients for grants. Through this process, The Foundation can make an impact on the known critical needs of our communities. A more in-depth look at this fund is explained under “General Invitation Letter.”

If you want to establish a dignified and lasting memorial for an individual, making a contribution toward the Book of Memory will put the name of the deceased into The Foundation’s Book of Memory on display at our office and at the same time becomes a part of the Community Endowment Fund from which grants are made.

The Community Foundation accepts cash, stock, real estate, etc., all of which are tax-exempt. Look under “Endowments/Managed Fund Options Available” for that information.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to make a lasting difference in the future of our communities. We will look forward to having you join a group of dedicated citizens who want to keep giving back to the community.