Personal Stories

Belinda Juran and Evan Schapiro: Helping to Maintain and Grow the Merrimack Valley’s Rich Cultural Tradition

As residents of the Merrimack Valley for the past 25 years, Belinda and Evan often took advantage of the rich and diverse cultural opportunities that the region offered. Unlike Boston, where the scene is dominated by large cultural institutions with a large donor base, the Merrimack Valley's arts scene typically consists of a more diverse group of smaller and less well-known organizations. So, Evan and Belinda were especially surprised to learn that the Merrimack Valley did not have a permanently endowed Arts Fund dedicated to the support of local cultural organizations. MORE

Peter S. Stamas: Dedicated to Education in Lowell for 17 Years

Peter’s Passion: Education and civic involvement.
As headmaster of Lowell High School for 17 years, Peter shaped the minds of Lowell’s future leaders and led by example. He believed community services was the way to better our region’s quality of life. More...

Types of Funds

How to Design Your Fund

A charitable endowment provides support now and for the future by giving through the Community Foundation to the community.

The First Step

The first step in gift planning is to select the type of fund that best meets your charitable interests. You may establish a fund with a one-time gift or multiple gifts, or even a deferred gift that creates a fund later. Each fund option below can be personalized to suite your charitable intents, including the naming of your fund in honor a special person, to memorialize an important event, or to perpetuate an important cause.

Discretionary Fund

These funds strengthen nonprofit organizations through competitive grants recommended by its Distribution Committee, which is composed of community members from all walks of life. Discretionary funds can address unforeseen needs, emergencies and new challenges.

Field of Interest Fund

This fund can reflect your own general interests and concerns and supports organizations that benefit, for example, a town’s civic activities, the arts, economic development, youth, the environment, human services or other important goals.

Advised Fund

Donors who wish to be actively involved prefer this fund. Advisors and their family members make grant recommendations. Read more (W

Scholarship Fund

This fund can support a wide variety of educational needs and honor a family member, educational leader or friend.

Agency and Designated Endowment Funds

These funds help nonprofit organizations stabilize and secure the future of their services. An agency endowment fund ensures that bequests or gifts benefit one specific nonprofit organization. Designated funds benefit two or more organizations. The Community Foundation’s staff is available to help organizations build these endowments by offering expert advice to Boards, staff and potential supporters. Read more (pdf document)

Supporting Organization

This is an attractive alternative to funding a private foundation because it offers superior tax benefits. While the Community Foundation appoints most of the Board members, the donor can serve and appoint Board members too, and can name the fund, propose grants and review requests.