• Cost Advantage: There are no out of pocket costs to establish or maintain a fund within a community foundation. Administrative and investment fees are kept low by pooling the funds within community foundations.
• Tax Advantage: There are no federal excise taxes owed (private foundations pay 2% of their net investment income). Also cash contributions are fully deductible up to 50% of adjustable gross income (vs. 30% for private foundation) and contributions of appreciated property are fully deductible up to 30% of adjusted gross income (vs. 20%).
• Privacy Advantage: Donors may choose to remain anonymous. Anonymity allows donors to protect their privacy and avoid solicitation pressure from other charitable organizations.
• Payout Advantage: There is no requirement for an annual fixed grant payout (vs. private foundations where no less than 5% of its net asset value must be paid out annually to charity). This allows community foundations more flexibility in their grant-making activities.
• Administrative Advantage: Unlike private foundations, community foundations assume all administrative duties (i.e. record keeping, investigating grantee organizations, preparation of financial audits, etc.).
• Professional Advantage: Donors to community foundations have access to a professional staff available to answer questions and offer suggestions tailored to meet the donor’s charitable intent.

• Flexibility to create a fund tailored to your charitable interests
• The deduction for cash contributions that exceed 50% of your adjusted gross income may be spread over five additional years to get the full deduction.
• Sound financial management
• Protection and fulfillment of donor intent
• Public accountability in our annual reports certified by independent auditors that our funds are being used for charitable purposes
• Security of keeping funds safe from legal actions against individual charities
• Access to CCF’s professional staff for guidance on charitable giving
• Focus on our Archdiocesan community needs as well as the flexibility to make a difference beyond our local area
• Savings on administrative, investment management, and grant activities, since funds are combined into larger pools.
• Fewer restrictions and less paperwork than with private foundations
• Tax benefits:
  • Cash contributions are fully deductible up to 50% of adjusted gross income (vs. 30% with private foundations)
  • The deduction for cash contributions that exceed 50% of your adjusted gross income may be spread over a six year period to get the full deduction
  • No excise tax imposed (vs. 2% of net investment income for private foundations)
  • Gifts of appreciated securities and/or property are deductible up to 30% of adjusted gross income (vs. applicable deduction of 20% for gifts of appreciated property to a private foundation) and may also be spread over a six year period to get the full deduction
• No capital gains taxes on gifts of appreciated securities and/or property
• Freedom to choose anonymity to avoid pressure of solicitation from other charitable groups or,
• Opportunity to receive public recognition for your generosity from the Foundation and set an example of stewardship for others
• Satisfaction of knowing your charitable interests will be supported for generations to come

• Our knowledgeable staff will work with you. They will take the time to listen to your goals and answer your questions. They will explore the best options for you based on your age, financial situation and charitable objectives.
• New donor advised funds can be set up with a contribution as little as $5,000 ($25,000 minimum for new donor advised endowed funds or $50,000 for other named designated endowment funds). And there are never any out of pocket costs/fees for establishing a new fund.
• You may make a contribution of any size to an existing fund.

1. Protecting the original principal by making distributions only from a portion of the earnings and
2. Protecting the principal from erosion caused by inflation. By doing so, an endowment is a gift that lasts forever. Individuals who establish endowments are making an irrevocable gift and may designate the beneficiaries (e.g. their parish, school, charitable cause, apostolate, etc.). By doing so, they can be assured that their original intent will be fulfilled for future generations.

A trust is created as a legally distinct entity whereby another institution or person serves as a representative (trustee) acting on behalf of an individual. There is a transfer of ownership which provides the legal distinctiveness. Trusts may be revocable or irrevocable. An endowment may become part of a trust.