Frequently Asked Questions

Donor Frequently Asked Questions

If you cannot find the answer to your question below, please visit our Contact page or call us at (608) 758-0883.

Not at all. The Community Foundation welcomes donations of any size, from $1 on up, to any of its funds. Most Community Foundation donors do give to an existing fund, according to their ability and interest. Popular funds for donations of all sizes are community funds, Excellence in Education funds, and community scholarship funds.

To create a new fund, however, the Community Foundation requires a minimum gift of $10,000 depending on the type of fund the donor wishes to create. The Community Foundation staff will work with you to help you meet the minimum fund requirement.

If you want to support a specific ongoing activity of a charity—such as a building campaign—by all means make a direct gift. If you wish to provide ongoing support to one or more charitable causes, then the Foundation offers you a framework in which to make those gifts. Our permanence, our professional investment management and our oversight role in making sure your wishes are honored by the recipient organizations ensure that the fund you create supports your charitable goals forever.

The minimum ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the type of fund and we will work with you to create a plan to reach these minimums over time if you so desire.

It costs nothing to start a fund. Our quarterly service fees depend on the type of fund established.

No. Gifts to the Community Foundation are irrevocable. The decision to partner with the Foundation is a serious one, and we encourage you to discuss your intent with your financial or legal advisers.

If you so choose, you may establish an anonymous fund or make anonymous gifts through the Foundation. When your fund is established, we will ask you your preference about anonymity. Fund holders who do not request anonymity may have the name of their fund listed in our publications, or may have the grant or scholarship work of the fund reported to the public. We do not share the balance of any of our funds with the public.

Make a Gift

We support giving of all levels, making your charitable giving meaningful and rewarding. Learn about our giving options or click the button to donate now.

Available grants

Our grant-making program provides opportunities for your organization to receive financial support.

Share This Page