Fund Types

We offer a variety of funds for individuals, families, businesses and community organizations to organize their charitable giving. We’re here to help you select the option that best meets your philanthropic goals. 

The first question: endowed or non-endowed?

Want to give today and long into the future? Open an Endowed Fund

Create a permanent endowment for the benefit of the causes you are passionate about with an endowed fund. Each year, a percentage of your fund is available to grant to the nonprofits of your choosing. Our prudent investment strategy will ensure that your fund will be making an impact today, and for all the tomorrows to come!

Want to give with maximum flexibility? Open a Non-Endowed Fund

Non-endowed funds are for those who don’t want restrictions on the timing and amount of their giving. These funds may be invested or held in cash, and you’ll be able to make grants of any amount whenever you choose.

The second question: what are your giving goals?

Want to keep your giving options flexible? Open a Donor Advised Fund.

Minimum Investment: No minimum for non-endowed, $10,000 for endowed

Donor advised funds allow you to maximize tax benefits and retain flexibility. Manage all of your giving through one charitable account to support the organizations, programs and causes you care about.  Contribute cash, securities or other assets to a donor advised fund at BGCF and take an immediate tax deduction. Choose whether or not to invest the fund for potential growth and recommend grants to virtually any IRS-qualified public charity.  Learn more about donor advised funds.

Want to support a specific charity? Open a designated fund

Minimum Investment: No minimum for non-endowed, $10,000 for endowed

Designated funds allow you to support specific, selected charitable organizations. A designated fund might be the ideal charitable tool for you if you want to provide regular, automatic support to an organization in perpetuity, but want to avoid the administrative hassles of charitable giving – from keeping receipts for tax records to simply sending a check. You’ll appreciate the efficiency of regular distributions sent by the Community Foundation to your designated charities.

Want to support a specific cause? Open a Field of Interest Fund

Minimum Investment: No minimum for non-endowed, $10,000 for endowed

Field of interest funds allow you to focus your giving on a cause that’s meaningful to you. You determine the issues you’re passionate about and would like to support, then our expert staff annually distributes grants from your fund to nonprofits doing great work in that field. Or, your field of interest fund can offer a competitive grant making process, fully administered by the Community Foundation. 

Want to support students’ educational pursuits? Open a scholarship fund

Minimum Investment: $250,000 endowment

Support others in achieving their academic dreams. Give deserving students the opportunity to pursue their dreams while achieving your own charitable goals. We can help you develop criteria to establish a successful scholarship program that matches your interests.  Our scholarship services range from identifying qualified students, to accepting and reviewing applications, to managing the ongoing award and renewal process for multi-year scholarship recipients.

We will consider administration of non-endowed scholarship funds on a case-by-case basis.  For scholarship funders under $250,000, we encourage participation in the our General Scholarship Fund, which seeks to assist students who are the first generation of their family to attend college, who display the greatest financial need, and whose race and ethnicity are often underrepresented in higher education institutions.

Want to give beyond your lifetime? Open a legacy fund

Create and preserve your charitable legacy with a legacy fund. A legacy fund allows you to leave a future gift through a bequest or estate plan.