Types of Funds

Unrestricted.

These funds support critical needs in Abilene, as determined by our staff and Board of Trustees. The minimum gift to establish a named, unrestricted fund is $10,000.

Field of interest.

These funds support a personal area of interest or address an important area of community life. Foundation staff and Board of Trustees identify specific grantee organizations.

Designated.

These funds provide gifts in perpetuity to any qualified charitable organization you designate.

Scholarships.

More than 70 scholarship funds currently help build a brighter future for our community. Scholarships may be either field of interest (to support students in specific communities or areas of study) or designated (for specific high schools or colleges or universities.)

Donor advised.

These funds allow you—and the people you name—to recommend grants and give you the flexibility to change the organizations you support through the years. We can make grants to nonprofit, 501(c)(3)-qualified organizations anywhere in the United States.

Supporting organization.

This is an appealing alternative to private foundations. A supporting organization has its own board, and qualifies for the preferential tax treatment afforded community foundations. The purposes of a supporting organization must be compatible with the Community Foundation of Abilene, and a majority of its board (not necessarily its officers) must be appointed by the Foundation.

Agency endowment.

Nonprofit organizations and their donors create these funds to protect their charitable dollars and ensure a source of annual support for their programs and operations.

Learn more about how to start a fund here.