HOW TO CREATE A FUND
AT THE WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

  1. Decide When to Give

    Create your Fund now or in the future. Establish it in your will or generate a trust arrangement that benefits your family as well as your favorite charitable organizations.

  2. Decide What to Give

    Almost any kind of asset can be used to start your Fund. Examples of assets include cash, publicly traded securities, closely held stock, real estate, life insurance, and tangible personal property.

  3. Choose the Name for Your Fund

    Most Funds are named for the donor, the donor’s family, or as a special memorial to someone.

  4. Choose a Type of Fund

    We offer a variety of Funds that are flexible to align with your charitable interests.

    • Community Impact Funds (Unrestricted)
      Unrestricted Funds offer the broadest and most flexible giving option to help respond to the community's most pressing needs. Grants can be made to any 501(c)(3) organization for their charitable purposes in the Washington area.

    • Field of Interest Funds
      Field of Interest Funds can be established for a particular interest area, such as the arts or education. The Community Foundation then selects the specific nonprofit organizations that best serve the fund's charitable intent.

    • Donor Advised Funds
      Donor Advised Funds allow you to be actively involved in your charitable giving. Make a tax-deductible gift to the fund now, and recommend grants to specific nonprofits on your own timetable. You can also involve your family in the fund’s grantmaking.

    • Scholarship Funds
      Scholarship Funds provide scholarship awards to students for continuing education. You may define guidelines for candidacy, the advisory committee, the school, and the field of study.

    • Designated Funds
      Designated Funds provide support to specific, eligible organizations in the community. The Foundation makes sure that grants to these groups remain relevant over time and are responsive to changing circumstances.

    • Agency Funds (Organizational Endowment Funds)
      Agency Funds are created by nonprofit and public organizations to provide stable income to support their work. The Foundation handles all administrative and investment responsibilities, freeing the organization to pursue its charitable mission.

For questions or additional information on how to start a Fund at the Washington Community Foundation, give us a call at 309.453.0727 or email us at info@washingtoncommunityfoundation.org.