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Learn About Each Type of Giving Option
Community Funds provide the maximum flexibility to future generations to determine the most critical issues facing our community. These funds can perpetually carry the name given by the donor and support the broad community grantmaking programs under the direction of the Community Foundation’s board of directors.
Donor-Advised Funds offer a donor continued participation including recommendations of distributions to eligible charities. These funds can be created for as little as $2,500 — with cash, appreciated securities or other assets — and may or may not be permanently endowed. For more on the benefits of donor-advised fund, read the Top 10 Reasons to Open a Donor-Advised Fund.
Field of Interest Funds support a focus area of the donor’s choosing, such as the arts, education, youth services, or almost any other area of need in our community for which a donor might have an affinity.
Designated Funds allow you to identify specific not-for-profit organizations to receive grants on an annual basis. These funds are permanent and allow you to continue to support a favorite charity in perpetuity.
Scholarship Funds can honor loved ones while providing educational opportunities for future community leaders.
Unrestricted Gifts to the Community Fund enable the Community Foundation to respond to the ever-changing needs of the Central New York community.
Organization Endowment Funds give not-for-profit agencies the opportunity to establish funds at the Community Foundation that will provide a permanent source of income. The funds will be invested with professional investment managers, and both the board and donors are assured that the funds will always be available for charitable purposes, even if the charitable organization ceases operations.
Legacy Society Membership gives a donor the option of deferring a gift to support future generations.

Deferred Gifts
Deferred Gifts allow different types of planned giving, such as bequests, gifts of life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, and pooled life income funds, which offer substantial tax benefits and in some cases income for life.Read More...

Still not sure?
Many people have charitable interests and goals that are best accomplished through the establishment of more than one type of fund. The Community Foundation’s development professionals are available to talk about your charitable interests and objectives, and then provide you with the tools to implement your individualized plan.

Your meeting with the Community Foundation staff can also include a conversation about your particular financial position and recommendations on giving vehicles or asset types that might have the best tax advantages for you. Of course, any information that we might provide to you would certainly not take the place of the advice of your qualified tax planner or financial advisor. They will be best able to consult you on the best way to maximize your tax benefit.

Ready to open a fund or ready for customized assistance? Please contact Dirk Sonneborn, Vice President for Development, to start the conversation about charitable giving, answer your questions, and help you create a custom giving plan. He can be reached by phone at 315.422.9538 or by email.