Types of Funds
The Community Foundation of the Verdugos includes well over 95 charitable funds. Their purposes are as varied as their donors, but most fall into one of the following types: Donor Advised Endowed Funds and Donor Advised Pass Through Funds. All funds are "Donor Advised" because the donor is always in control of who the money is given to and how the fund is set up. Endowed Funds are ideal funds because they are permanent: the primary principle of the fund is kept intact to supply interest while the dividend earnings are used to provide continuing support for the benefit of a charitable cause. Pass Through Funds mean that the entire amount of the fund can be used to support a charitable cause if desired. At the Foundation, there are some major funds established over the years that anyone may contribute any amount toward. They are: General Endowment Funds
The General Endowment Fund is one of the most important endowments because of its unique flexibility to truly adapt to ever changing needs of the Verdugo area. It is just like the other funds in that it holds on to its capital while distributing the interest, but this fund can lend support to any charitable and community cause meaning that it helps to ensure that all needs are cared for and can take a new direction if community needs change. A popular way of contributing to this fund is through the Book of Memory. Field of Interest Funds
Field of Interest Funds are endowments that focus on contributing to specific areas, with any amount that you choose to give, as often as you wish to give:
- Arts and Culture Fund
Arts and Culture Fund ensures the future of arts in the Verdugo area. - Children and Youth Fund:
Children and youth are our future and this fund helps ensure that their needs can be met through any number of programs addressing the health, well-being, education, or enjoyment of our younger community members. - Community Interests Fund:
A community has many aspects in providing quality of life for its residents - this fund addresses programs or activities that might not fall in any other field of interest, including civic pride or community-wide activities. - Field of Dreams Fund:
Encourages creativity and can include strategic plans, new innovations, programs, or ideas to address issues. This fund helps to build capacity or provide a springboard to get worthwhile activities off the ground. - Green Fund:
Addresses needs in the areas of the environment and animal welfare. - Health and Human Services Fund:
Earmarked for addressing basic needs like food, shelter, health, and well-being for individuals of all ages, including the disabled. - Senior Interests Fund:
As the baby boomer generation ages, there are greater demands placed on services, programs, or issues relating to older adults which this fund addresses.
The Associates Fund is a fund contributed to annually by many people. Giving to the Associates Fund provides a way in which to help the Foundation immediately instead of dedicating a larger amount of money up front to establish a fund or possibly waiting for years before having enough to establish a fund. In this way anyone can be a philanthropist today and contribute to their community at a level they are comfortable with. Scholarship Funds
Scholarship Funds are endowments that are used to assist high school graduates in paying for college or technical school - a necessity in our competitive economy. They vary greatly and can easily be set up to your specifications. Agency Funds
Agency Funds are endowments of philanthropic groups or charitable programs who find it too difficult, costly or inconvenient to manage their own funds. In this way the Foundation can help them manage their money and keep it secure without taking their focus from the original goal of good works. If you haven't found what you want here feel free to give us a call and we can discuss your personal situation and wishes. And if you have found what you want, call us so we can get you started!
