Ideas for Giving

Information for Donors

Every individual is capable of becoming a philanthropist and the Community Foundation of Charles County is here to show you how. Folks can set up their own fund, endowment or scholarship and choose the type of fund – see Types of Funds below.

Ways to become a philanthropist with the Community Foundation of Charles County

Donate a couple of acres - we work with easements, too;
Create your own Endownment;
Create a Scholarship;
Are you a non-profit saving money for a capital improvement project? Start your own agency endowment and invest money while you are saving it;
Create a Memorial Fund;
Getting tired of the paperwork with the IRS -- Dissolve your family foundation into a fund within the Community Foundation;
Participate in the Grant-making Fund;
Join our Community Needs Assessment Committee and help develop a county-wide Needs Assessments;
Estate Planning and Planned Giving;

The Community Foundation of Charles County Accepts:

Appreciated Securities
Assets of private foundations
Cash
IRA’s or other Retirement funds
Life Insurance
Planned Gifts
Real Estate or Personal Property

Types of Funds

Unrestricted Fund: Used to support CFCC’s annual grantmaking. There are no restrictions on its use, but typically follows grant guidelines.
Ideal for: Bequests, CFCC’s board and friends, donors who want to give back to his/her community but not be directly involved.
Field of Interest Fund: Dedicated to a specific cause or “field” of grantmaking (e.g. arts, youth, education, environment). Allows CFCC to make grant decisions per fund agreement.
Ideal for: Bequests, CFCC board and friends, donors who are committed to certain causes but not specific nonprofits.
Donor Advised Fund: Like a private family foundation, allows donors to make grants from his/her fund. Final approval rests with CFCC. Successor advisors okay if included in fund agreement.
Ideal for: Donors who want to help decide on grants, but don’t want the hassle of setting up their own private foundation.
Scholarship Fund: Educational or vocational scholarships for area youth. Follows CFCC scholarship process and guidelines. Donor may participate in process, but can’t make final decision alone.
Ideal for: Bequests, donors who want help administering a scholarship program.
Designated/Organization Fund: Established by a donor to benefit a specific nonprofit. Can also be set up by a nonprofit to benefit itself. Funds are used solely to support named NPO beneficiary.
Ideal for: Bequests, nonprofit organizations and their board members, donors who are committed to helping a specific nonprofit.
Supporting Organization Fund: A separate 501 c 3 nonprofit under the umbrella of the Community Foundation. The CFCC must nominate 51% of this organization’s board; donor may nominate the rest.
Ideal for: Donors (for their professional advisors) who want more control and are willing to pay the extra set up charges.