CRCF Receives Bequest > Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

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CRCF Receives Bequest
Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Anonymous Bequest Establishes Community Service Fund at CRCF

by June Diethrick

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation (CRCF) was the recent recipient of an approximately $750,000 bequest from an anonymous donor with no prior affiliation to the Foundation. As per the donor's wishes, an unrestricted community service fund has been established at the Community Foundation with the monies received from the bequest.

Despite financial hardships individuals, businesses, and communities have had to face over the past few years, confidence and trust remains in charitable organizations, such as the Community Foundation, symbolizing the significance of the gift. Donors need to trust that their money is being directed to causes that are making a significant, positive impact on the community, and this is especially true in today's financial climate.

In addition, the gift highlights one of the most important types of funds at the Community Foundation. Established as a community service fund, the monies from the bequest are completely unrestricted. Donors who create unrestricted community service funds place CRCF in complete control of the fund's grantmaking ability, again demonstrating strong trust in the Foundation. This allows the CRCF Board of Directors to distribute grants from the fund to the projects of greatest significance in the community, while also allowing the Board to adapt to the changing needs of the community over time.

While CRCF offers several different forms of fund types that donors can easily establish, an unrestricted gift is an excellent way to provide resources for grantmaking to help make positive changes in the entire community, as opposed to a specific niche. The donors of unrestricted funds trust that the Foundation is knowledgeable about the community, capable of bringing community organizations together with donors, and jointly devising strategies that can positively impact the community as a whole. Donors with varied philanthropic interests find that an unrestricted fund community service fund is often the most simple and flexible way to accomplish their charitable objectives.

If you would like to learn more about establishing a community service fund at the Community Foundation, please call 661-3390 or visit www.crcfonline.org.

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