How it Works

• Your board determines how much you would like to invest long term.
• Your organization works with our staff to complete a fund agreement.
• We set up a special fund in the name of your nonprofit organization.
• Your nonprofit organization receives quarterly statements on the fund.
• You can add any amount to the fund at any time.
• We handle all the administrative details.

An agency fund is an efficient and simple way for your nonprofit organization to establish an endowment to build income for your organization. The community foundation’s economies of scale provide your organization the benefits of a diverse investment portfolio and low investment fees that typically come only with very large funds. We handle the investment management and administrative responsibilities related to endowment so that your organization’s staff and volunteer hours are concentrated on fulfilling your mission.

Example of an agency fund based outside of the Lakeshore area:
Dress to Work helps low-income individuals make a transition out of underemployment by providing career training, mentoring, and professional attire. Like many nonprofit organizations, it struggles to cover operating expenses. As a result of establishing the Dress to Work Endowment Fund at its local community foundation, the organization has created another source of revenue for its operations. The investment management and administrative tasks of the endowment are handled by the community foundation so Dress to Work can focus on its mission and fundraising.