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Creating an Organization
Endowment
As sources of grants and contributions
are tougher to find, consider creating an organization
endowment to provide a stream of revenue. The
Community Foundation hosts several endowments
established by local not-for-profit organizations.
Our staff can help with the administrative
and investment aspects of the fund, so your
staff and board can focus on your organization’s
mission. We are a resource to help you connect
with your donors who may be receptive to making
a gift to an endowment fund.
We provide quarterly financial
reports so you and your board can stay informed
of the endowment’s activity. The Foundation’s
Executive Director can attend your meetings,
upon request, to discuss the endowment.
Before establishing an organization
endowment, the staff and board should realize
that growing the endowment takes ongoing effort.
Some local organizations have been very successful
by reminding their donors that gifts to the
endowment are needed. It is also wise to encourage
supporters to include the organization or the
endowment at the Community Foundation of Shelby
County in their will or estate plan. We have
bequest language
available.
Please review our Policy and Guidelines
for Organization Endowments.pdf.
Steps to establishing an organization
endowment are:
- Gain board support for considering
an organization endowment.
- Discuss what the endowment
will support (ie: operating expenses or a
specific program of the organization) and
which board committee or staff member will
be responsible for the ongoing efforts to
generate gifts.
- Contact the Marian
Spicer, Executive Director of the Community
Foundation of Shelby County to discuss the
thoughts of the board.
- Establish a written agreement.
A template agreement is available and may
be customized very easily.
- Gain board approval from your
organization and the Community Foundation.
- Launch efforts to attract gifts
to the organization endowment fund.
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