10 Creative Ways to Grow your Endowment Fund

Anyone can create an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Lorain County.  And you don’t have to have $10,000 to start a fund!  But for some donors getting your Fund to a level where it is making even small grants can seem like a daunting goal. Exceed your expectations and increase your impact with these simple strategies:

  1. Instead of gifts, ask loved ones to contribute to your endowment fund on special occasions (e.g. your birthday, wedding anniversary, Christmas, Hanukkah). Donors often make contributions in honor or memory of a loved one.
  2. Take your Fund brochure to the next family reunion, holiday gathering or mail your fund brochure to friends, family and colleagues. Ask family to contribute to your Endowment Fund.
  3. Make an online gift at peoplewhocare.org. Forward the link for your endowment fund to friends and family.
  4. Deposit “extra money” like expense checks or tax refunds. Out of sight, out of mind. Then watch your endowment fund grow!
  5. Include a regular contribution to your endowment fund in your monthly budget.  You can even establish a monthly direct transfer from your bank account to the Community Foundation (like payroll deduction).
  6. Inquire if your employer has a matching program for charitable giving.
  7. Donate appreciated assets like stocks, real estate, artwork, jewelry and even grain like soy, wheat or corn! If we can value it and sell it, you can donate!
  8. Remember to utilize gifts from your IRA – if you are age 70 ½ you can donate up to $100,000 per person to public charities without having to count the distributions as taxable income.
  9. Host a simple fundraiser like a bake sale, car/dog wash, spaghetti dinner, bowling night, dance-a-thon, car show, and deposit the net proceeds into your Fund.  Note: contributions to a fundraiser hosted by an individual are not tax deductible. Only donations sent directly to the Community Foundation are tax deductible.
  10. Have you named your endowment fund in your Will or other estate plans?

Remember, Endowment Funds at the Community Foundation of Lorain County are public, which means that anyone can donate to any fund at any time.  My best advice for new fund holders is to speak freely and proudly about your Fund. You have created an amazing community asset that will impact Lorain County for generations to come! Your passion can ignite that same passion in others.

As always, if you need advice on growing your fund or making a gift I am happy to help. Contact me at 440.984.7390 or email dlocke@peoplewhocare.org

Best wishes,

~Danielle Locke, CAP®
Gift  Planning Officer