ESTABLISHING A FUND

It is easy to establish your own named grantmaking fund, often in less than a day.   Working with a member of our staff, and your professional advisor if you choose, you will take these simple steps:

  1. First, determine your charitable purpose or intent.
  2. Select the type of grantmaking  fund that best supports your purpose.  Our staff will outline your options and discuss advantages of each.
  3. Complete a simple governing document.  Our staff will help you to complete a document that makes your intentions clear.
  4. Select a name for your fund. You can use your name, that of a family member, the name of a favorite cause, or choose a name that allows you to remain anonymous.
  5. Depending on the type of grantmaking fund you establish, you may designate current fund advisors such as yourself and spouse, and successor advisors such as your children. This information will be included in your governing document.
  6. Make an establishing gift. See Ways to Give for the types of contributions you can make.
  7. Receive a tax deduction at the time the fund is established and when additional contributions are made to the fund.

Enjoy giving through your fund. Once your fund is established you can:
  • Add to the fund at any time in any dollar amount.
  • Specify how grant disbursements are to be acknowledged – whether in the name of the fund or anonymously.
  • If you've established a donor advised fund you may recommend distributions to charities, locally or throughout the United States.
If you have more questions about establishing a grantmaking fund, please click here to contact us for more information.
Our donors

Professional advisor's perspective
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CPA Wray Pearce knows first-hand the benefits of using an Advised Fund for his charitable giving. more

Brown memory lives on
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When E.T. Brown Jr. wanted to create a way for his children to continue a family tradition of giving, he set aside IRA assets to establish the E.T. Brown Jr. Family Fund after his death.  more

U.S. Steel fund keeps giving back to Turkey Creek
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The steel industry built Birmingham’s past.  Today, a $1 million gift from U. S. Steel is working to secure its future, through a grantmaking fund at The Community Foundation set up to benefit the Freshwater Land Trust.  more

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Establishing a fund