With MCF by your side, you can do more good with less effort.

In just a few minutes, you can create a fund that streamlines and simplifies your giving instantly while preserving charitable dollars for your favorite causes in perpetuity.

6 Types of Charitable Funds

Start a charitable fund with just $2,500, except for Scholarship Funds, which need $10,000 to begin. Once established, add assets anytime, with no minimum requirement. You can even schedule recurring gifts.

Unsure which fund suits you best? Contact us and we'll help you find the perfect fit for your goals.

For many nonprofit organizations, an Agency fund equals stability. Our pooled structure provides access to lower investment fees and our services are provided free of charge. We can accept even the most complex gifts and handle the acknowledgment process.
A Designated Fund is an ideal choice when you want to support one of more of your favorite nonprofits in perpetuity. Once you designate a charity, we automatically issue the grant check each year. When you endow your designated fund, your giving will provide a lasting legacy to sustain the nonprofits you select. Should any of your designated nonprofits cease to exist or change its mission, the Community Foundation will ensure that the funds are redirected to a similar organization that meets your charitable intent.
Donor Advised Funds are an easy and cost-effective way to support your favorite nonprofits anywhere in the country, at any time you choose. Gifts to your fund qualify for an immediate tax deduction, regardless of when you decide to recommend grants. Community Foundation staff will confirm that your recommended charities meet IRS requirements and then issue grant checks to the organizations. The donor retains an advisory capacity in recommending grants from the fund which is individually named and identified with reference to the donor(s) or donor family members.
A Field of Interest Fund allows donors to specify an interest area, either broadly or narrowly defined. The Foundation has discretion to make grants within the donor's interest area. Funds can be endowed, or principal may also be available for grants depending on donor intent.
A Scholarship Fund lets you help students realize their educational dreams, or you can support the schools and universities of your choice. You determine the criteria for selection of scholarship recipients, and we administer the entire process of making the awards.
An Unrestricted Fund is an ideal choice when you want to give where the need is the greatest at any point in time. Grants from these funds help communities and residents throughout Washington County overcome obstacles, seize opportunities and thrive. You can establish and name an endowed unrestricted fund during your lifetime or create one through an estate plan. The Community Foundation has complete discretion in grant making.
Starter Funds offer a special opportunity for donors to embark on their philanthropic journey with a donor-advised fund, even if they are not yet ready to meet the standard $2,500 minimum balance. This option is designed to make philanthropy accessible and flexible for individuals and families who wish to gradually build their Fund over time. Click here to read a sample agreement.
Key Features of Starter Funds:
- Flexible Fund Establishment: Begin your philanthropic journey with a minimum contribution of $1,000 or $500 with monthly payments, committing to reaching the $2,500 minimum balance within 36 months.
- Incremental Contributions: Embrace a gradual approach with contributions at least once every 12 months, including the option for monthly installments.
- Seamless Activation: Once the minimum balance is achieved, the Starter Fund is eligible for grant disbursement.
- Closure with Grace: Should the minimum balance not be reached within 36 months, the existing balance transfers to the Friends of the Foundation Fund, with no further obligation for donors.

Ample Benefits

Your donation can go further when given through a charitable fund at Marietta Community Foundation. Our unique approach ensures that your generosity is best utilized to satisfy the greatest needs in our area and your desired impact.

The expertise of our esteemed Board of Directors and staff is at your disposal. This includes security, investment, management, distribution, marketing, and many other facets.
To get in touch, simply call 740-373-3286, send an email, or stop by our convenient location in downtown Marietta.
Our board and staff exercise proper due diligence to verify that every grantee organization is in good standing with the I.R.S., is in good financial health, and is well-managed.
Our investment strategies provide a stable resource for our region that responds to today’s needs while also preserving and enhancing the real value of funds for future needs. Component funds are invested in one of two investment portfolios and are pooled with other assets to achieve greater investment diversification.
Our objective is to retain — and wherever possible, to increase — the purchasing power of the funds, in addition to producing a reasonable return for distribution.
We take away any hassle associated with giving. We ensure the integrity of your fund remains intact, take care of the paperwork, and distribute funds to the appropriate parties.
When you prefer anonymity, your identity or donation will be concealed.
Additionally, your personal information is never shared without your permission, as the Foundation also serves as a buffer between you and grant-seekers.
When you give through your fund, you can turn multiple gift receipts into just one.
By investing your assets in a fund, you can receive an immediate tax deduction upfront and then grant to your favorite organizations throughout the year. Think of your DAF as a “Charitable Checking Account.”

When Does Creating a Charitable Fund Make Sense?

When you would like to simplify your charitable giving and have the minimum $2,500/$10,000 to donate immediately

When you’re about to sell your business, have received a considerable inheritance, or have appreciated assets like stocks or real estate and may face significant tax consequences

When you have a private foundation that is costing too much or taking too much time to administer

When you’d like to honor or memorialize a family member, friend, or colleague

When you wish to provide steady support to your favorite organization(s)

Help Your Funds Flourish

Dive deeper into the fund creation process by exploring our Fund Agreement For Donor Advised Funds Template.

Good News!

You Can Get Started Right Now.

A charitable fund at Marietta Community Foundation can be started with as little as $2,500, with the exception of Scholarship Funds, which require an initial gift of $10,000. If you are looking to establish your fund with a gift of stock or other planned gift or would like more information, please contact Heather Allender, President & CEO, at heather@mcfohio.org or 740-373-3286.

Please note: By completing this form, you are initiating the process of starting a fund. Your fund will be officially established once your fund agreement has been finalized and signed.

Step 1.) Tell us about you & your new fund.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone

(###)

###

####

Desired Fund Name

Please Note: All funds require a $2,500 minimum donation to be established, with the exception of Scholarship Funds. Scholarship Funds require $10,000.

What type of fund are you starting?

Unrestricted / Board Directed Fund: I’d like the community foundation to use my fund to meet the community’s most pressing needs.

Donor-Advised Fund: I’d like to recommend which charities to support and when at my discretion.

Designated Fund: I’d like to support one or more specific charities in perpetuity.

Agency Fund: I’m a representative for a nonprofit and would like to create a perpetual stream of income for my organization.

Field-of-Interest Fund: I’m interested in supporting one or more causes (e.g. health care, youth development, etc.)

Scholarship Fund: I’m interested in providing scholarships to students.

Step 2.) Make your initial contribution.

Click here to be directed to PayPal, a safe and secure platform for making online donations, to take the next step toward finalizing your fund agreement.

Please note: PayPal assesses a nominal processing fee. While you will be able to claim the full amount of your donation for tax purposes, the full amount will not be deposited into your fund. We suggest opting to cover PayPal fees to avoid your fund falling below the minimum balance.
Please note: For tax purposes, the date of your donation is the day you submit payment online or your mailed contribution is postmarked.

Submit Payment

Step 3.) Finalize your fund & begin granting!

As soon as you complete Step 1, our staff will jump into action preparing your fund agreement. Soon we will touch base to finalize the details and demonstrate how you can begin utilizing your new fund.

We’re here for you every step of the way.

Should you have any questions or concerns, we’re just a phone call or email away. You can also visit our office, conveniently located in downtown Marietta.