Donor-Advised Funds
Non-Participating: This fund type has no fee because investment returns accrue to the Community Foundation’s operating fund instead of to the fundholder. This type of fund has the lowest minimum balance: $2,500.
Participating: These funds have a minimum balance of $7,500 and receive their pro rata share of net investment returns. Administrative fees on this type of fund are $500 or 1%, whichever is greater, on balances up to $500,000.
1.00% on the first $ 500,000 (or $500, whichever is greater)
0.75% on the next $1,000,000
0.50% on the next $1,000,000
0.25% on the amount over $2,500,000
Unrestricted Community Funds
These funds are not charged a fee, but are included in the annual spending policy calculation. Currently, 5% per year is used to support operations and community grantmaking.
Field-of-Interest Funds
There is no activity in these funds other than to the Distribution Committee for grantmaking. Administrative fee is 1.0%.
Designated Funds
Disbursement wishes are established by the donor in a fund agreement or in a letter of agreement to make grants to one or more specified charitable organizations. Administrative fee is 1.0%.
Scholarship Funds
Foundation simply administers the funds and does not participate in the selection of individual recipients. Administrative fee is greater of $250.00 or 1% on fund balance.
Minimum balance: $10,000.
Endowment Funds Held for Other Agencies
These funds are established by nonprofit agencies rather than individual donors, for the exclusive benefit of the individual agency. They are not counted as net assets of the Community Foundation and are recorded as liabilities on our balance sheet. The administrative fee is:
0.75% on the first $1,000,000
0.50% on the next $2,000,000
0.25% on the amount over $3,000,000
Charitable Remainder Unitrusts (CRUTS)
For those CRUTS administered by the Community Foundation a 1% fee is calculated on the balance of the fund at December 31.
Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs)
No fee is charged for administration of CGAs that will become designated funds held by the Community Foundation. The remainder interest of gift annuities are used to establish a permanent fund, at which time these fees are assets based on the type of fund, or that interest is added to the Community Fund and no fee is charged.
Special Projects
From time to time the Community Foundation is asked to be a fiscal sponsor for a special project. The fee will be 2-10% of the contributions received, as determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon the nature of the work required by the Community Foundation.
Looking for More?
For more information on each fund type, visit
Types of Funds. To speak to a member of the Community Foundations Development Team, please call 315-883-5540 or
email Jenn Owens.