WAYS TO FUEL YOUR FUND

Cash

When you give to a charity, you give cash. You write out your check, and that is that. There couldn't be a better way, right?

We have one. You establish a fund in your name with us, and write out a check to it whenever you can afford to. The fund has great flexibility, and also gives you immediate and maximum tax deductibility. Only the income generated by the money you contribute needs to be distributed. Or, if you like, you can ask us to periodically make charitable distributions in your name. We provide you with the necessary documentation of your gift to the Foundation for your annual income tax return.

Securities

You have realized that with your appreciated securities, you can be more philanthropic than you thought possible. However, to attempt to use your stocks or bonds for your charitable giving could be difficult.

Instead, you donate your securities to a fund in your name, receiving the maximum tax deduction for their present and fully appreciated market value. There are no sales charges, nor are there any capital gains taxes; and if the tax deductions are larger than you can use in one year, you can spread the benefit over five years. The charities you support will all receive cash as well, benefiting all involved.

Will or Living Trust

You are ironing out the details of a new will or creating your first Living Trust. You've taken care of all the essential details, assigned sentimental possessions, and provided for relatives. What you would also like to do is leave something behind that could make a difference for future generations.

You simply provide that the remaining or specific assets go to a charitable fund in your name. You can inform us now, if you like -- we would welcome the opportunity to thank you -- or you may keep your plans private if you wish. Either way, your fund will forever continue to do good work in your name, a living symbol of your caring and generosity. It may also significantly reduce eventual estate taxes.

Life Insurance

You have been paying premiums on life insurance for years and now the protection it offered earlier is no longer needed. The policies have some value, and you would like your community to benefit.

You donate the policies to a fund in your name. You receive an immediate tax deduction, usually in an amount close to the cash surrender value. The fund will continue to grow over time, and much good will be done in your name.

Gifts from an Estate or Trust

As the executor of an estate or trust, you are empowered to allocate a certain amount of money to charity, but either the organizations are not named, or the task of carrying out the charitable provisions has proved burdensome.

You set up a charitable fund with us in the name of the person who died, and arrange to have a portion of the estate distributed to a fund, with court approval if necessary. The fund would be fully qualified to receive the charitable distribution. The Community Foundation is equipped to handle quite complex bequests to charity.

Real Property

You own residential or commercial real estate that has grown substantially in value. Now you are thinking about using the value of this real estate to further your philanthropic goals.

You donate all or part of your real estate to the Community Foundation. After carefully evaluating your particular property, we will advise you on how best to contribute it. Either the income or sale proceeds from the property will be used to establish a permanent fund.

Business Interest

You own a substantial interest in a privately held business. Perhaps this is one of your larger assets. You are interested in converting some or all of it to support your philanthropic goals.

You can contribute part or all of your ownership. The Foundation sells it back to the business, to a family member or to another purchaser. The proceeds from the sale create a permanent fund to meet your designated charitable goals.

"The community foundation allows donors to achieve lasting good by enabling them to leave their own legacy to the community," says Steve Shey, a board member. "By establishing a named fund, they can also assure their personal charitable goals will be met over time."