Share an opportunity to help the community.

When you establish a fund for a cause you care about, you make it possible for the rest of the community to show that they care too. Whether you’re memorializing a loved one, funding a community group, trying to inspire good in others, or something else entirely, there’s no cause too large or small to be worth caring about.

Types of Funds

Undesignated Funds

This is a fund for the greater good, meaning the funds may be used for any purpose. As the name implies, there are no restrictions on the way the money can be allocated, making it ideal for a fund with broad philanthropic interests. Undesignated funds will be managed by the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation in order to properly distribute support to projects and organizations that can best make use of it.

Designated Funds

The opposite of an undesignated fund, this option allows ongoing support for specific charitable organizations. When establishing a designated fund, you’ll be able to choose one or more organizations to automatically receive annual grants from your fund in perpetuity.

Donor-Advised Funds

While this style of fund shares the broad nature of an unrestricted fund, it differs in one important way — it allows you to have an ongoing say in suggesting ways your gift should be used to benefit the community. This makes donor-advised funds a highly personal and flexible way to impact the community.

Field-of-Interest Funds

Unlike a designated fund that selects one or several individual organizations to support, a field-of-interest fund provides the flexibility to support many organizations under a focused area of impact. The benefit of this style of fund is that it focuses on supporting a cause instead of a specific organization, ensuring that no matter who is making breakthroughs in the area you’re passionate about, you will be able to support them.

Scholarship Funds

While other types of funds invest in causes and organizations, a scholarship fund allows you to invest in people, providing the community’s students with the support needed to achieve. These funds can be designated from preschool all the way up to postgraduate studies as you see fit, and are often established to memorialize a loved one.

Agency Funds

You align your charitable organization with the CPCF. Instead of having to establish their own foundation, charitable organizations can establish an agency fund under the CPCF umbrella. This ensures long-term funding and alleviates often complex administrative duties.

Create your fund in four simple steps.

Pick the type of fund you’d like to establish.

Not all funds are created equal. The type of fund you create will depend on the goal you’d like it to achieve. If you’re having trouble finalizing your vision or selecting which type of fund is most appropriate, we’re always available to help.

Name your fund.

Choosing a name is an important step. Not only is it a chance to honor someone, but it is also your first opportunity to communicate your vision to potential donors. There’s no wrong answer, but changing the name can be tricky, so take your time and pick one that feels right.

Make a contribution.

Now that your fund exists, it’s time to give it a financial start. Gifts of cash, stock, or other assets are tax-deductible in the year they are given out, so larger donations can be beneficial both personally and for the purpose of helping your fund succeed.

Make a difference!

This is your opportunity to start making a difference in the community. You can begin enabling groups to make an impact in their communities and start the journey to achieving the goals of your fund.

Ready to get started?

Fill in your details below and we can begin the process of establishing your fund.