Establishing a Charitable Fund

You need only to make a few decisions to create a fund supporting the causes dearest to you.

1. Envision What the Charitable Fund will Impact
   Are you targeting a specific charity or a cause? Do you want to participate in granting or empower others to choose grant recipients? A charitable fund may be tailored to the needs, charities, geographic areas or segments of our population that are important to you. We can help you define the purpose of the charitable fund you establish.
   
2. Decide When to Give
   You can create a fund now with current gifts or later through your will or other estate planning document. You may give in honor of a milestone, in memory of a special person, or just because you feel the timing is right. Tax deductions are earned at the time of your gift, while grants awarded from your fund will continue into the future. If you are making a deferred gift, please consider notifying us now and becoming a member of our Legacy Society.
   
3. Decide What to Give
   You can establish a charitable fund with many types of assets. A minimum balance of $25,000, which may be accumulated by the fund over a five-year period, is required to maintain a separately named fund. The charitable fund’s balance made need to be larger, depending upon the amount of grants you hope to have disbursed. Smaller gifts may be added to an existing fund that supports a favorite cause or charity. Please consult your tax or legal advisor before making a sizeable gift to ensure the contribution is made in a way most advantageous to your situation.
   
4. Select a Name for the Fund
   A fund may be named for an individual, family or organization, or you may provide a name that will protect anonymity. Every grant from the fund you establish will carry the name of the fund, unless you request otherwise.
   
5. Develop a Written Agreement
   We work with you to develop a written agreement expressing the purpose of the fund and guiding the way disbursements are to be administered. Standard agreements templates are available and may be customized quickly and easily.

Armed with these items, you are ready to establish a charitable fund!