Types of Funds

Talking to a client

Reviewing choices in grantmaking funds

Community Foundation staff can assist in determining the grantmaking fund that best suits each person’s objectives, including particular charitable causes and the assets available for giving, today or as part of a legacy gift.

  • Community Funds focus on achieving measurable results in the Greater Birmingham area, primarily through a competitive process that makes high-impact grants annually in the name of the donors who support it.  Gifts to Community Funds provide the flexibility to handle future issues that cannot be anticipated at the time a donor makes a gift. A minimum gift of $15,000 can create a separate Community Fund to make grants in the donor’s name forever. A gift in any amount can be added to the general Community Fund. 
  • Field of Interest Funds focus on achieving measurable results in the Greater Birmingham area, while maintaining a focus on a particular area determined by the donor, such as arts or education.  These funds ensure that a donor’s gift stays flexible enough to meet changing community needs. A minimum gift of $15,000 can create a separate Field of Interest Fund to make grants in the donor’s name forever. A gift in any amount can be added to any existing Field of Interest Fund. 
  • Community Catalyst Funds bring donors together with other visionary philanthropists who want to make transformational investments in our community. These philanthropic venture funds seek out and respond to opportunities in the greater Birmingham community.  A minimum gift of $50,000 (over a five-year pledge period) will establish a named fund.  A gift in any amount can be added to the general Community Catalyst Fund or designated to benefit a particular project of Community Catalyst Funds.
  • Advised Funds link individuals, families, and businesses to community needs, offer maximum effectiveness through the Giving Together program and provide many benefits over a private foundation. With a minimum $15,000 gift to establish a named fund, the donor can be part of the work of the Community Foundation, while also supporting favorite charities.  Professional services available through Advised Funds include extensive community knowledge, elimination of federal reporting and can the ability to make grant recommendations at any.
  • Scholarship Funds help to make the dream of higher education possible  for students from one school or school system or more broadly across the Community Foundation’s service area, based on the preference of the donor.  Scholarship funds may be opened with a minimum gift of $50,000.

The Community Foundation also assists donors in supporting the work of  specific charities in the Greater Birmingham area through Designated Funds and Agency Endowment Funds, pooling those dollars for asset management within the funds of the Community Foundation.

Contact Erin Stephenson, Vice President Development, or Lora Terry, Development Coordinator, to find out more.