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Create A Fund

Why the Spencer County Community Foundation?

The Community Foundation brings together people and organizations that want to make a meaningful difference and help build and strengthen our community. As a tax-exempt public charity, we support philanthropy and are dedicated to improving the quality of life in Spencer County.

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For almost 30 years, we've built on the collective strength of generous donors, local leaders, and charitable organizations working in partnership with our dedicated, professional staff. We understand the changing needs of the community and the nonprofit organizations meeting those needs to make life better here
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We will work personally with you or your professional advisor at each step to identify the most effective and meaningful way for you to give back to your community. You choose what to give, when to give, and what cause or organization you wish to support.
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The Community Foundation offers the power of endowment, where the endowed fund you create is invested to grow over time. Fund earnings are used annually to make grants that benefit the community, and this lasting stream of support for your community establishes an enduring charitable legacy in your name.
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The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community and to helping donors make meaningful gifts that improve life here, today and for generations to come. We exist to help caring people like you give back, easily and effectively, to the causes you care about in the community you love.
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Establishing A Named Fund

1 Find Your Cause

What community cause, concern, or charitable need moves you most? Whether to cultivate the arts, enrich education, safeguard health, or strengthen families, we work closely with you to create a personal, meaningful way to support your community.

2 Decide to Give

Do you want to establish a fund today so you can witness its impact during your lifetime, or would you prefer to defer your gift through a will or other planned giving option? We offer fund establishment options best suited to your giving needs.

3 Let Us Help

We'll help you easily and effectively give back to the causes and community you care about, or we can work directly with your professional advisor. In most cases, gifts qualify for maximum tax advantages. Contact us today. We're always here to help!

Giving Options

Your gift contributes to a lasting stream of funding that helps improve quality of life throughout our community. We are grateful for our generous donors, and we invite you to establish an endowed fund with the Community Foundation that will make charitable gifts in your name, forever, to benefit the causes and community you care about most.

Give Today

Learn more about how and what to give, and the many tax benefits of charitable giving through the Community Foundation, as we help you establish a charitable fund to match your philanthropic interests.

Plan Today to Give Tomorrow

Learn more about the Community Foundation's planned giving options and opportunities, and how to leave a charitable legacy for yourself, your family, or your company in the community.

Legacy Giving

Types of Funds

We offer and manage a variety of endowed fund types, allowing every donor to choose the appropriate and best vehicle to fulfill their charitable intentions. The Community Foundation provides professional stewardship and oversight of all established funds, ensuring donor intent is honored, for good. Forever.

Community Good (Unrestricted) Fund

What They Are
Community Good Funds carry no restrictions on how their income may be used (unrestricted). Community Good Funds award grants to nonprofit organizations working to address immediate local needs and advance emerging opportunities in the community.

How They Grant
Grants are awarded through our annual, competitive Community Good Grants Program. A committee of local volunteers reviews applications and recommends grant awards, but the County Advisory Board may also choose to award proactive Community Good grants at any time.

Fund Minimum:
$10,000

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Field of Interest Fund

What They Are
Field of Interest Funds support larger areas of concern to the donor, who designates the fund’s income to support a specific interest area, such as the arts, education, the environment, health, or youth development.

How They Grant
Grants are awarded through our annual, competitive Community Good Grants Program. A committee of local volunteers reviews applications and recommends grant awards to local nonprofit organizations that meet the fund’s designated interest area criteria.

Fund Minimum:
$10,000

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Donor-Advised Fund

What They Are
Donor-Advised Funds are convenient and flexible, allowing individuals, families, businesses and others to actively participate in the grant recommendation process.

How They Grant
Designated Fund Advisors recommend grant(s) for nonprofit general support or to a specific project or program. Grants may be recommended at any time during the year.

Fund Minimum:
$10,000

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Designated Fund

Designated Funds allow donors to support a specific organization or organizations in perpetuity.

How It Works:
Annual grants are sent directly to the designated nonprofit(s) which does not require applications or grant reporting.

Minimum:
$10,000

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Agency Fund

Agency Funds are established by a nonprofit organization to provide perpetual income to themselves. The Community Foundation handles all administrative and investment responsibilities, freeing the organization to pursue its charitable mission.

How It Works:
Annual grants are sent directly to the nonprofit agency which does not require applications or grant reporting.

Fund Minimum:
$10,000

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Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Funds help students pursue their higher education goals. Donors can establish scholarship criteria or leave it to the discretion of the Community Foundation.

How It Works:
Scholarships are awarded through our annual Community Scholarship Program. A committee of local volunteers (with optional fund representative input) reviews applications and recommends scholarship awards to local students.

Minimum:
$25,000

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