Foundation Management

Make your giving easier

Establishing a charitable foundation is a powerful and sustainable way for people to serve the communities and causes they care about. While private foundations are wonderful organizations, they can take a considerable amount of time and resources to maintain. Donor-advised funds and field of interest funds are effective alternatives to private foundations. They offer the same charitable giving benefits, and they provide easier management, improved tax deductions, grantmaking flexibility, and often a lower cost.

We take the administrative duties off your plate. You keep the name and recognition.

The Community Foundation of Abilene manages endowment funds for regional organizations and families interested in having the experience of their own family foundation without the administrative burden. Though CFA manages the fund, you can still name it in a way that honors the intent. Examples: Smith Family Foundation, Jenkins County Foundation, Garza Family Giving Fund.

For an alternative to family foundations, we recommend a donor-advised fund. Field of interest funds are good alternatives to regional foundations serving specified communities.

Benefits of establishing an endowment fund with CFA instead of a private foundation:

• Ease of giving with no separate tax returns, required payouts, or required board meetings
• Immediate tax deduction on contributions
• The flexibility to make grants to a variety of charities each year
• The ability to make grants anonymously
• Opportunity for advisors to manage charitable assets
• Access to CFA facilities for meetings related to grantmaking and other fund activity
• Opportunity for the CFA team to guide the grantmaking process and inform you about nonprofits
  
• A dedicated partner available to you and committed to stewarding your charitable legacy

Getting started is easy

We are here to guide you through the process. There are three basic steps to get started:

1. We'll have a conversation about your charitable goals to determine the best fund structure.
2. Make a gift to establish the fund. You can donate cash, appreciated stock, or other assets.
3. Map out and begin your grantmaking process.

It all starts with a conversation. We would love meet with you. Contact us a cfa@cfabilene.org or 325-676-3883.