1. A Donor Advised Fund offers donors maximum flexibility over charitable distributions. As the fund advisor, you can make distribution recommendations throughout the year to the charities of your choice. Donor Advised Funds are a cost-effective and efficient alternative to a private or family foundation. A
fact sheet about Donor Advised Funds and a sample
Donor Advised Fund agreement offer more information. Compare a Donor Advised Fund and a Private Foundation using our
chart. A Donor Advised endowment fund can be created with a minimum of $10,000.
2. A Field of Interest Fund supports a particular area of interest. At the inception of the fund, you can identify a narrow or broad issue that is important to you. From the environment to early childhood education to the visual arts and more, Madison Community Foundation staff and Board of Governors identify projects that elevate and support your specialized interests. A
fact sheet about Field of Interest Funds and a sample
Field of Interest Fund agreement offer more information. A Field of Interest endowment fund can be created with a minimum of $10,000.
3. A Designated Fund provides a steady stream of income to one particular charity - forever. A designated fund may be created by an individual or by a charitable organization. The Madison Community Foundation administers endowments for more than 260 charities throughout Dane County and beyond. A
fact sheet about Designated Agency Funds and a sample
Designated Agency Fund agreement offer more information. A Designated Agency endowment fund can be created with a minimum of $10,000.
4. An Unrestricted Fund supports the Madison Community Foundation competitive grantmaking process. Twice a year, the Madison Community Foundation Board of Governors screens and selects projects that demonstrate long-term commitment to improving community assets in Madison and throughout Dane County. These grants focus on seven areas of interest: Arts & Culture, Children, Community Development, Elderly, Environment, Learning and Youth. A
fact sheet about Unrestricted Funds and a sample
Unrestricted Fund agreement offer more information. Our most
recent competitive grants illustrate the variety of funded projects. An unrestricted endowment fund can be created with a minimum of $10,000.
5. A Scholarship Fund is a vehicle for you to support the education of students by designating distributions to specific educational institutions, churches and charitable organizations. Madison Community Foundation staff work with the selected institutions to facilitate recipient selection and scholarship distribution. A
fact sheet about Scholarship Funds and a sample
Scholarship Fund agreement offer more information. A Scholarship endowment fund can be created with a minimum of $20,000.
6. An Acorn Fund offers individuals and charities the option to build a permanent endowment over time. Rather than giving $10,000 immediately to establish an endowment, you pledge a minimum annual contribution of $1,000 to build a fund. Once $10,000 is accumulated via gifts and interest, the Acorn Fund matures to an endowment. At that time, you select the fund type: Unrestricted, Donor Advised, Designated, Field of Interest or Scholarship. For more information, you can download a
fact sheet about Acorn Funds and a sample
Acorn Fund agreement.
7. A Red Balloon Fund is a tool to engage young people in long-term charitable giving. You and the children in your life work side-by-side to contribute a minimum of $500 each year toward an endowment. Once the total reaches $5,000, together, you recommend distributions to your favorite charities. For more information, you can download a
fact sheet about Red Balloon Funds and a sample
Red Balloon Fund agreement.
8. A Passthrough Fund is a short-term vehicle for current charitable giving purposes. These charitable checking accounts allow you to make a lump sum contribution to the Foundation, receive the tax benefit today, and recommend distributions to charities when you're ready. Local charities can also create passthrough funds to broaden the types of gifts they can receive for capital campaigns. For more information, you can download a fact sheet for
individuals or
charities or a sample
Passthrough Fund agreement. Passthrough Funds can be established with just $1,000 and no minimum balance is required.