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Greater Impact Begins Here
Why Open a Fund with Us
We are passionate about this place and its people. Since 1984, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington has helped individuals, families and businesses improve our region through philanthropy. Whether you are a longtime donor or new to giving, we can tailor our charitable funds and services to meet your goals and our region's needs. Join our giving community, and together, we'll build a flourishing and just southwest Washington.
Community of Givers
Connect with a community of people who care deeply about southwest Washington and work together to address our greatest challenges.
Local Knowledge
Our expert team shares your passion for local causes and brings a deep understanding of the issues and solutions emerging in your community.
Community Investment
By opening a fund with the Community Foundation, your dollars stay local and sustain our model for lasting community impact.
Which Charitable Fund is Right for Me?
Other Charitable Funds
We offer a variety of other charitable funds that allow us to create personalized giving strategies suited to your charitable and financial goals.
Field of Interest Fund
These funds support specific cause areas. Causes can be as general as education or as specific as early learning. These funds can also name specific geographic areas. Once established, grantmaking is informed and managed by our team of professionals.
Designated Fund
These funds provide regular support to one or more of your favorite charitable organizations. You "designate" or select charities when you create your fund, and our expert staff distributes grants automatically.
Agency Fund
Designed for nonprofits, these funds empower your team to accept complex gifts and maintain endowments with ease. You focus on building relationships; we provide professional investment management and administrative services.
Giving Circle
Open a fund with a group of like-minded givers or join an existing giving circle. In either case, our expert administrative support makes pooling tax-deductible contributions and distributing grants easy, which means your group can focus on the joy of choosing where the dollars go.
What to Give
The Community Foundation welcomes a broad range of assets—both current and deferred—to help you align your charitable and financial goals. Our team works regularly with donors and their professional advisors to develop tax-smart strategies and manage non-cash assets.
Common Questions
How do I open a fund?
Opening a fund can be reduced to four simple steps: select a fund that will accomplish your goals, name your fund, appoint advisors for your fund and make your gift.
What can I give to open a fund?
Our team can help identify effective charitable solutions and process complex gifts. Assets we accept include cash, stocks and other appreciated assets, business interests, real estate, retirement assets and estate assets. See our complete list of non-cash gifts for more information.
Why should I open a charitable fund?
Donors find many benefits to opening a fund, including education and insights, personal connections, simplified recordkeeping, greater flexibility and a menu of other services. Our team prides itself on providing high-quality philanthropic services, tailored to every donor’s unique interests.
What is the minimum amount to open a fund?
The minimum contribution to set up most charitable funds is $10,000; the minimum to establish a Scholarship Fund is $25,000.
Who should I consult when opening a charitable fund?
We can guide you through the basic decisions required to establish a charitable fund that reflects your unique intent. However, we also recommend involving your professional advisor when appropriate.
What happens to my donation?
Charitable funds at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington are pooled in our professionally managed investment portfolios, designed to fit your time horizons and giving goals. You will have access to our online donor portal, where you can track your balance, contribution and grant histories, investment earnings and more.
Are there any fees?
Our competitive fees offset the cost of fund administration. They are also reinvested in southwest Washington through our work cultivating local giving, strengthening nonprofits, improving communities and empowering people. Administration fees vary by fund type and, in some cases, depend on the fund size. Find our fee schedules on the Reports & Financials page.
What administration do you provide?
We provide a variety of support services to donors based on their fund type. We generally handle all back-office support for your charitable fund. Other services include conducting research, scheduling site visits, suggesting funding opportunities and managing due diligence to ensure compliance. Contact us if you have any questions or needs.
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