Why You Should Give

In addition to benefiting the community in general, there are advantages to those who choose to donate to the Foundation. They are:

Tax Benefits

The Foundation qualifies as a 501(c)(3) public charity under federal law. That means that contributions are eligible for favorable income and estate tax treatment and are eligible for income tax benefits. Additionally, state law allows a tax credit to individuals and qualified businesses who pay the single business tax whose donations are placed into permanent endowment at the Community Foundation.

Flexibility & Simplicity

Donors may determine the purpose for which gifts are to be used, or leave all or part of the decision to the Board of Trustees. Donors may establish a named fund or may give anonymously. Furthermore, one contribution to the Foundation may address a number of needs and can benefit a number of charitable organizations in the community.

Perpetuity

Contributions to the Foundation are placed in a pooled endowment, generating income forever. Only the earnings from endowed funds are used for grants, allowing the fund to grow over time. Additional gifts may be made at any time, by any donor, in any amount, thereby increasing the fund and enabling the donor to maximize their tax benefit.

Variance Power

Should restrictions placed on a gift become unnecessary, or incapable of fulfillment after the donor's death, the Board of Trustees will protect the spirit of the gift by funding those charitable endeavors that most nearly meet the donor's original intent.

Professional Management With Low Administration Fees

There is no cost to establish a fund and our fees are much lower than the cost of administering a private foundation. Your gift will be placed in a highly diversified investment pool, benefiting from the guidance of experienced professional investment managers.

Stewardship and Public Accountability

The Community Foundation practices prudent stewardship and carefully manages each fund to ensure the highest growth possible as well as ensuring each fund's use will be in keeping with the donor's original intent as long as it is realistically sensible and possible. The Community Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a public charity and must comply with regulations stipulating that the foundation is responsible to the general public rather than a limited number of people. We do this through grantmaking. All grants given by the foundation are used to benefit the public interest and are publicly disclosed as required by law. We are committed to improving the quality of life for all citizens of our region, and our grants and services to our community must reflect this. An independent audit of our financials is performed annually.

Philanthropic Recognition

The Community Foundation appreciates the generosity of our donors. We would love to share your story using our website, multimedia or other distribution channels. We also provide the benefit of anonymity for donors who prefer that option. One reason for establishing an endowment now is to have in place a means whereby friends and loved ones can tangibly express their thoughtfulness during bereavement. Being able to give to something permanent that represents your ongoing influence can mean a lot to them.