One of the primary services offered by the Community Foundation is the creation and administration of various types of funds for charitable purposes. Each type of fund is designed to accomplish certain goals as defined by the donor. The descriptions below can help you choose the right option for you.
Unrestricted Funds
Meet ever-changing community needs
An Unrestricted fund, also known as a Community Service fund, addresses a broad range of local needs, including future needs that cannot be anticipated at the time you make your gift. The flexibility of an unrestricted gift enables CRCF to respond to the community's most pressing needs, today and tomorrow, whether in arts and culture, education, human services, or neighborhood revitalization. These unrestricted monies are distributed yearly through the Community Service Grant process.
Designated Funds
Helping local organizations sustain and grow
Establishing a Designated fund allows you to support the good work of a specific nonprofit charitable organization. Grants from these funds are distributed annually, semi-annually or quarterly as decided by the donor.
Agency Endowed
Endowing your nonprofit organization
Agency funds are established by the nonprofit organization or agency at the Community Foundation. An Agency fund is a simple and efficient way to build an endowment for your organization and to help create long-term sustainability.
Field-of-Interest
Connecting personal values to community opportunities
By establishing a Field of Interest fund, you can target your gift to address needs in an important area of community life. Whether arts, healthcare, youth, or the aging, you identify your personal area of interest when making your gift. The Foundation then awards grants to community organizations and programs that are making a difference in your area of interest. Your gift stays flexible enough to meet community needs in your area of interest, even as those needs change over time.
Scholarship Funds
Investing in deserving students
In creating a scholarship, you invest in the community's future and show students you care, while helping them achieve their lifetime dreams. These funds are set aside by a donor to assist in the educational costs associated with higher education. Extremely flexible, these funds may be set with a variety of conditions for awards. The reputation of the Foundation for professional scholarship management has made scholarship funds one of our most popular fund types.
Donor-Advised Fund
A personal approach to giving
Establishing a Donor Advised fund allows you to make a gift to the Community Foundationa and then remain actively involved in suggesting uses for your gift. By remaining involved with your gift, you can recommend ongoing uses for the fund, targeting the areas you care about most.