How to Start a Fund

Giving back to your community should be an enjoyable experience, and that’s why we make giving as easy as possible. We meet personally with donors to determine goals and create a fund that makes sense for you.

We are highly flexible in our ability to accept complex gifts, and have seven types of funds to choose from. Any fund can be established in your name, or in the name of your family, your organization, or anyone you wish to honor. All grants distributed from the fund you establish – today and in the future – are awarded to charities in the name of that fund. It’s a great way to be involved with, and remembered for, your community investment. 

Here are four easy steps to setting up a fund: 

1. Decide When to Give
   You can create your fund now, establish it in your will, or create it through a trust arrangement that benefits your family, as well as charity. Tax deductions are earned at the time of your gift, while grants awarded from your fund will continue into the future.

2. Decide What to Give
   Almost any kind of asset can be used to start your fund, such as cash, publicly traded securities, closely held stock, interests in limited partnerships, real estate, life insurance, tangible personal property and private foundation assets. We can also discuss other options with you, such as bequests, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts, charitable lead trusts, pooled income funds, charitable gift annuities, life income and deferred charitable gift annuities. 

3. Choose the Name of Your Fund
   Most of our funds are named after the donor or the donor's family or as a memorial to someone special. Every grant from the fund will carry this name helping carry on your legacy of giving back. If you prefer anonymity, you may choose a name that reflects your fund's charitable purposes. 
   
   
4. Choose a Type of Fund
   We offer a variety of fund types that are flexible to meet our donors' charitable interests.
   
   You can open a permanently endowed fund with a minimum contribution of $5,000. Funds must reach $25,000 within five years. Once the fund reaches $25,000, gifts of any size are accepted. We also offer options for non-endowed funds.

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Let us know if you are interested in setting up a charitable fund by filling out the form below. If you don't have answers to all the questions, that is fine! Fill out what you can, and we will be in touch, or feel free to contact our Director of Gift Planning and Donor Services, Greg Diehl, directly at greg@areafoundation.org or 701.234.0756.

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Type of Fund: Learn about Fund Types

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Endowed This fund is permanent and will make grants forever. Non-Endowed This fund may invade the principal investment. Multi-Generational This fund’s advisory rights will pass down to multiple generations. Other

How do you want to be recognized for your grant-making?:

I want my name and the name of the fund to be known I want only the fund name to be known I want to make all grants anonymously I will let you know my preferences on a case-by-case basis

I plan to make my initial gift:

Immediately with cash, stock Through my will/estate Through a sale of appreciated assets Other

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Thank you for your interest. We will be in contact with you shortly.