How to Start a Fund
We're Home to More Than 900 Funds
You can give today, or plan to leave a gift in the future, in any amount, to any of our existing funds, or create a named fund of your own. Our development team is here to guide you through launching a fund and creating hope and opportunity for Muskegon County.
How it works:
Think about your charitable goals.
What impact do you want to make in the community? Do you want to be actively involved in choosing grant recipients, or do you prefer to lean on our expertise? Do you have a favorite cause you want to support?
Decide how you would like to give.
You can easily write a check or give with a credit card; tax-smart giving options include transferring appreciated stock or giving with your IRA (if you’re 70 1/2 or older). Please contact us if you have real estate or other assets you’d like to give. Explore our Types of Funds for minimum contribution requirements.
Name your fund.
A fund can be set in your name, the name of your family or business, a name that is meaningful to you, or in honor of a person or an organization.
Contact us.
Feel free to make this your first step. We’ll answer your questions, help you refine your goals, and recommend a suitable fund type. Finally, we’ll draft a fund agreement for your review.
Complete and celebrate!
Your fund is established once we have your opening gift and a signed fund agreement. You then join the growing list of Ambassadors who have created a legacy for themselves and permanent resources to support our shared community.
Types of Funds
Strategic
These funds support the Community Foundation’s strategic focus areas of Education; Community & Economic Development; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; the Frauenthal Center; or all of the above (Unrestricted).
Fund minimum $5,000
Build a Fund option: $500/year x 10 years
Fund spending: 4.75% (Frauenthal funds), 4.25% (other funds) of fund balance annually
Unrestricted
These powerful funds address the opportunities and challenges within Muskegon County. Each year, our Distribution Committee decides where unrestricted funds would have the largest impact in the community. As the community changes, so will the projects that your fund supports.
Fund minimum $5,000
Build a Fund option: $500/year x 10 years
Fund spending: 4.25% of fund balance annually
Donor Advised
Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are flexible and popular tools for individuals, families, and businesses looking to simplify charitable giving and maximize community impact. With a minimum of $10,000, you can establish a DAF, allowing you to recommend grants to any qualified charitable organization, including schools and churches, without the typical 4% annual distribution limit. The fund is easy to manage with no extra paperwork or IRS concerns, and you can continue contributing with tax benefits. We handle the administration and investments while informing you about community needs and opportunities. Best of all, you can involve your family in making decisions and creating a lasting legacy. To learn more, download our Donor Advised Fund Guidelines or contact us.
Fund minimum: $10,000
Build a Fund option: $2,000/year x 5 years
Fund spending: 4.25% (amounts above the $10k minimum are available for grantmaking)
Field of Interest
Support the arts, education, youth, community beautification, health and human services, the environment, or whatever broad areas of interest you choose. Tell us what aspects of the community you care most about, and we’ll make grants from your fund to advance work being done in that field.
Fund minimum: $10,000
Build a Fund option: $2,000/year x 5 years
Fund spending: 4.25% of fund balance annually
Scholarships
With a minimum gift of $50,000, a Scholarship Fund can help support students continuing their education. We’ll work with you to establish guidelines for eligibility, or you can leave it to us to determine where your award will fill the greatest community need and make the most impact.
Fund minimum: $50,000
Build a Fund option: $10,000/year x 5 years
Fund spending: 4% of fund balance annually
Nonprofit Agency Fund
These funds are typically started by a nonprofit to build endowment for their own organization. We manage the endowments of more than 100 Muskegon County nonprofits. These organizations receive regular grant distributions from their fund, while saving for the future.
Fund minimum: $10,000
Build a Fund option: $2,000/year x 5 years
Fund spending: 5% of fund balance annually
Community Project
These non-endowed funds are created by groups who partner with us for help with administration of a specific program, capital campaign, or other service.
Fund minimum: $500 to open
Fund spending: varies
Designated Funds
With a Designated Fund you can provide permanent annual support for one or more of your favorite local nonprofits.
Fund minimum: $10,000
Build a Fund option: $2,000/year x 5 years
Fund spending: 4.75% of fund balance annually
Contributing To Your Fund
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- Mail a check to our office at
425 W. Western Ave., Suite 200, Muskegon MI 49440
- Mail a check to our office at
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- Click here to give online via credit card or find instructions to give with stock, your IRA (if you’re 70 1/2 or older), or a DAF at another institution.
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- Give real estate and other assets—please contact our Development Team
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