Donor Advised Funds:

Donor Advised Funds enable donors to have an active role in the grant making process by selecting the beneficiaries of their fund. The Foundation manages the administrative details while allowing donors to recommend which charitable programs and organizations they wish to support. The Foundation Board of Trustees must approve the recommendations prior to any distribution.

Community Foundations offer a variety of vehicles to help donors meet their charitable goals. Establishing a donor advised fund, contributing to an agency fund or arranging for a planned gift such as real estate, life insurance, IRA assets, tangible personal property are just some of the means to realize a charitable goal. Please contact the ACCF for more information on how we can help you meet your charitable goals.

For Non-Profit Organizations:

A major goal of the ACCF is to help non-profit organizations plan for their future financial needs. That's why the ACCF provides non-profits with the opportunity to establish 'agency funds' within the ACCF. Such funds are permanently endowed (meaning the principal is held to create ongoing investment income).

If you manage a nonprofit, read on to discover the many advantages of creating an agency fund within the ACCF!

Donor tax advantage
Because gifts to agency funds are endowed, donors may be eligible to receive the Michigan Tax Credit, available only to certified tax credit organizations (like the ACCF). Individual and business donors can receive a state credit of 50% (up to $400 for married couples and $10,000 for businesses) along with a federal tax deduction.

Expertise
The ACCF has nearly $12 million in invested assets under management by professional managers, so you'll know your agency's funds are being wisely invested for long-term support.

Increased visibility
The ACCF's publications give agency funds prominent recognition. Our relationships with professional advisors and donors also exposes your organization to more, and perhaps different, donors than those on your current donor list. The established reputation of the ACCF lends added credibility to your agency.

Permanence
Many donors (especially those making large gifts or planned gifts) want to be certain that the principal they contribute will not be used to meet an agency's short-term needs. In addition, if an organization should dissolve, the donor is assured that the endowed funds within the ACCF will remain to benefit the community, enabling you to assure your donors that a program is in place that will safeguard their gifts.

Accountability
The ACCF contracts with a certified accountant to provide all necessary accounting needs. The ACCF will provide you with the accounting and financial reporting required by the state and federal government.

Financial considerations
All gifts to your fund are restricted for your agency's use only, as your fund enjoys the advantage of being invested in a large pool of assets, which can lead to greater growth, greater income, and lower investment fees.

Other advantages

• By working with the ACCF, smaller organizations are able to offer donors more sophisticated planned giving devices such as charitable remainder and lead trusts, gift annuities, life estate gifts, and more.
• Foundation staff will acknowledge and receipt all gifts to your endowment fund and provide you with a written list of donors for your own gift appreciation follow-up.
• Your agency fund does not preclude you from applying for grants from the ACCF.
• A library of fund-raising materials and donor programs is available to you at no charge from the ACCF office.

For more information about establishing an agency fund, or to schedule a presentation, contact the ACCF at 269-673-8344. Click here to donate to an agency fund.

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