Types of Funds

You have a vision creating a stronger, more vibrant community and we offer a number of charitable funds to help you fulfill your plans. We'll work with you to match your giving and passions, and create a giving plan that meets your charitable and financial goals. Creating a fund with us is simple, takes little time, and allows you to create a legacy that will live on forever. Our professional staff handles all of the administrative details allowing you to focus on impacting your community.

Fund Types

We offer a variety of fund types that allow you to customize your charitable vision. Learn more about the fund types available below. Opening and maintaining a charitable fund is simple. Start with a gift of $5,000 or more ($10,000 for a scholarship fund) and experience the community impact, ease, and tax advantage that a fund provides.

Unrestricted Fund

An unrestricted fund is a fund that supports the changing needs of your community forever while serving as your personal legacy. Community Foundation staff provides the research and the Community Foundation Advisory Board directs support to the most critical community needs to create a stronger quality of life and more vibrant community.

Donor Advised

Establishing a donor advised fund allows you to make a gift to the Community Foundation, then remain actively involved in recommending grants to make the impact you desire in your community. You can work with our professional staff to recommend grants from your fund to target the issues or nonprofits you care about most. Grant awards are issued to charities in the name of the fund (or anonymously if you prefer). It's a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving. Read more about Donor Advised Funds.

Scholarship

By creating a scholarship fund, you invest in your community's future and show students you care. The Community Foundation provides the expertise to help you meet your personal goals and awards scholarships to deserving students. Your gift can help students — from preschool to postgraduate — achieve their lifetime dreams. 

Designated

A designated fund provides support to your favorite charitable organization(s) in perpetuity. With a designated fund, you can be confident your gift will provide a lasting legacy to sustain your favorite nonprofit(s). Should an organization you've designated cease to exist, the Community Foundation will ensure that the funds are redirected to an organization meeting your charitable intent so that your generosity will continue to benefit the community in the way that you envisioned.

Field of Interest

A field of interest fund allows you to make an impact in specific fields over time. You identify a specific or broad interest area (such as education and youth development, arts and culture, health, etc.) and the Foundation ensures effective grantmaking within that field as the needs change over time. This type of fund allows your grantmaking to evolve as the needs within the field do, and gives you peace of mind knowing that the Foundation will be there to identify the best nonprofits in the issue area you have selected to ensure your legacy lives on.

Nonprofit Agency

Nonprofit organizations can also establish an agency endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. It's a simple and efficient way to build an endowment that helps create long-term sustainability for your non-profit organization. An agency fund can be established by the nonprofit, or can through a lead gift from a donor passionate about the agency. 

Corporate Advised

Establishing a charitable fund for your business is a great way to streamline and maximize the impacts you want to make in your community. Let the Community Foundation take care of all the administration while you enjoy where to advise grants. 

If you know how you would like to impact your community through the creation of a fund, contact Katie Braswell, Vice President to begin the conversation about your charitable goals.