How it Works

• You make an unrestricted 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.
• Our Board of Directors determines the community opportunities that would be most impacted by grants from your fund.
• We issue grants in the name of the fund you establish.  If you prefer, grants can be made anonymously.
• We handle all the administrative details.

When you establish an unrestricted fund, your gift addresses a broad range of local opportunities including future opportunities that often cannot be anticipated at the time your gift is made. You can add any amount to your fund at any time. We evaluate all aspects of community well-being: arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and human services, neighborhood revitalization, and more. Distributions from your fund will be made through a competitive grant application process. Your gift, and all future earnings from your gift, is a permanent source of community capital, helping to do good work forever.

Example of an unrestricted fund based outside of the Lakeshore area:
Peggy and Ed Gibb always made giving to their community a personal priority. In meetings with their professional advisor, they began to consider including a bequest that would benefit their local community. “Peggy and I care a lot about this town,” says Ed. “We wanted to give in a way that would continually help the people who live here.” After considering their options, the Gibbs decided to establish an Unrestricted Fund with their local community foundation. The Gibb Community Fund would take effect after they both passed away, leaving a portion of their estate to charity. “By establishing an unrestricted fund, we were able to keep our gift from becoming outdated. Community needs change, so we wanted to make sure our gift wasn’t too narrowly focused,” says Peggy. “Because it’s endowed at the community foundation, our gift will make a difference forever,” Ed says. “It will grow over time and become a more and more valuable asset for our community. This is exactly the legacy Peggy and I want to leave.”