Types of Funds

Donor Advised Fund

How It Works: This charitable giving tool is easy to establish and administer. To create a Donor Advised Fund, you make a tax deductible gift and name your Fund. The Foundation pools, manages, and invests its individual funds to generate growth and income for granting. From your Fund, you grant to qualifying nonprofits, with the Community Foundation taking care of the paperwork, filings, and administration. Many families use Donor Advised Funds as a vehicle to teach children and grandchildren the joys and responsibilities of philanthropy. It is also an effective tool for anonymous giving.

Minimum Start-up Donation: $10,000.00

Assets You Can Donate: Cash, publicly traded securities (stock, bonds, mutual fund shares), closely held securities, life insurance, real estate, retirement plan assets, tangible personal property, private foundation grants and transfers upon dissolution.

Designated Fund

How It Works: You name the organization(s) that will receive grants from your Fund. We ensure that they are used for their intended purpose.

Minimum Start-up Donation: $10,000.00

Assets You Can Donate: Cash, publicly traded securities (stock, bonds, mutual fund shares), closely held securities, life insurance, real estate, tangible personal property, private foundation grants and transfers upon dissolution.

Field of Interest Fund

How It Works: Create a tool to support a focused area of your choosing - such as the arts, education, conservation, or youth. We will research and direct your grants to the best nonprofits providing solutions to your assigned area of interest.

Minimum Start-up Donation: $10,000.00

Assets You Can Donate: Cash, publicly traded securities (stock, bonds, mutual fund shares), closely held securities, life insurance, real estate, retirement plan assets, tangible personal property, private foundation grants and transfers upon dissolution.

The Founders Fund/Funds for Dorchester, Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot Counties

How It Works: A permanent endowment that supports a broad range of needs on the Mid-Shore, or in specific counties. Grants are guided by a committee of Board and community members knowledgeable about local needs.

Minimum Start-up Donation: No Minimum

Assets You Can Donate: Cash, publicly traded securities (stock, bonds, mutual fund shares), closely held securities, life insurance, real estate, retirement plan assets, tangible personal property, private foundation grants and transfers upon dissolution.

Scholarship Fund

How It Works: Identify one or more areas of study or specific educational institutions and then establish criteria for awarding scholarships from your Fund.

Minimum Start-up Donation: $10,000.00

Assets You Can Donate: Cash, publicly traded securities (stock, bonds, mutual fund shares), closely held securities, life insurance, real estate, retirement plan assets, tangible personal property, private foundation grants and transfers upon dissolution.

Agency Fund

How It Works: Nonprofit organizations and their supporters can establish a permanent endowment fund to support their charity in perpetuity.

Minimum Start-up Donation: $10,000.00

Assets You Can Donate: Cash, publicly traded securities (stock, bonds, mutual fund shares), closely held securities, life insurance, real estate, retirement plan assets, tangible personal property, private foundation grants and transfers upon dissolution.

Administrative Endowment and General Fund

How It Works: The Community Foundation relies on annual operating gifts to its General Fund and to the Administrative Endowment to expand philanthropy on the Mid-Shore; to support research to identify innovative nonprofit programs; and to assist local nonprofits, helping them improve their bottom line and efficiency.

Minimum Start-up Donation: No Minimum

Assets You Can Donate: Cash, publicly traded securities (stock, bonds, mutual fund shares), closely held securities, life insurance, real estate, retirement plan assets, tangible personal property, private foundation grants and transfers upon dissolution.