How to Establish a Fund

It is quite easy to create a charitable fund, giving it the name you choose. In most cases it can be done in less than a day. A member of our staff will take you through the following steps.

Determine the charitable purpose or intention for your fund.
Select the type of fund that will best assist you to meet your purpose. Our staff can provide you with the options and discuss the advantages of each, or you can read about them. See Types of Funds.
Complete the fund agreement that describes the rights and responsibilities of each party. Our staff will assist you to complete a document that makes your intentions clear.
Name your fund. This can be done using your name, a family member's name, the name of your favorite cause, or a name that allows you to remain anonymous.
Depending upon which type of fund you select, you may name current fund advisors such as yourself and your spouse, and successor advisors such as your children. This information is to be included in your fund agreement.
Make a gift that establishes your fund. See Ways to Give for the types of contributions you can make.
Receive a tax deduction at the time the fund is established and whenever you make additional contributions to your fund.

We are here to assist you in structuring and managing your giving. Once you have completed these steps, enjoy the accomplishment and the knowledge of the difference you are making to individual lives in our community. After your fund is established you can

Specify how grant disbursements are to be acknowledged – whether in the name of the fund or anonymously.
Add to the fund at any time in any dollar amount.
Recommend distributions to charities locally or throughout the United States - if you have established a donor advised fund. You may also change the name of the fund advisor or successor advisor with this fund type.

If you have additional questions about establishing a fund, please click here
to contact us for more information. It is our pleasure to work with you each step of
the way.