5 Steps To Establish a Fund

Once donors have decided to establish a Fund with the Community Foundation, the process is simple.

Step 1

Contact the Community Foundation to discuss the donor's charitable objectives.

Step 2

With the assistance of an estate planning professional, if desired by donors, the Community Foundation will establish a Fund. It is important to have donors identify the type of Fund desired. If the Funds established are Donor Advised, the name(s) of the eligible advisor(s) should be indicated. If the Funds are Field of Interest, the area(s) of interest should be listed. If they are Donor Designated Funds, the donors should name the charities to be benefited. The document is signed by the donors and kept by the Community Foundation.

Step 3

The donors make an irrevocable gift to the Foundation to create a Fund.

Step 4

The president of the Foundation's Board of Directors will sign the document and return a copy, along with an acknowledgement letter, to the donors. This letter serves as receipt, to be retained for the donors' tax records. (Note: regardless of the number of current or future distributions from the Fund, the donor needs only this one letter for tax purposes.)

Step 5

The Community Foundation begins to serve the donors' charitable objectives.