How it Works

• You identify one or more nonprofit organizations that you wish to support.
• You make a gift to your community foundation during your lifetime or through a bequest in your will. You can give cash, appreciated stocks, or other assets.
• We set up a special fund in your name, in the name of your family or business, or in honor of any person or organization you choose.
• You receive tax benefits in the year your gift is made.
• We issue grants to the designated nonprofit organization(s). If you prefer, grants can be made anonymously.
• We handle all the administrative details, including managing specific qualifications that you may establish for grant disbursements.

Establishing a designated fund allows you to support the work of one or more specific nonprofit organizations. You can add any amount to the fund you establish at any time and so can others who share your interests. Your gift and all future earnings from your gift are a permanent source of community capital, helping to do good work forever.

Example of a designated fund based outside of the Lakeshore area:
Three times a week, Wendell Pittman delivers meals to homebound senior citizens as a volunteer for Meals for Seniors. While the organization has benefited from volunteerism and community recognition for over a decade, it depended largely on small donations and lacked a more predictable funding source. After talking with the executive director of Meals for Seniors and his financial advisor, Wendell decided to begin a designated fund with his local community foundation to benefit Meals for Seniors. Thanks to the Wendell Pittman Charitable Fund, Meals for Seniors will forever receive annual distributions to support its operations. Wendell’s fund with his local community foundation is a wonderful way to give back to the organization that has touched his life.