Restricted Funds
Whether restricted to a certain charitable organization, a special program or a single field of interest, restricted funds allow donors to make a targeted impact with their contribution.


Donor Advised Funds
These convenient, simple and flexible funds allow donors to make gifts at any time and advise the Community Foundation Board on the ways they would like to see the charitable earnings granted.

Example: The Green family established an endowed fund and every year at the holidays the family decides on the charitable organizations or programs to which they would like to recommend grants during the next year.  Family values are passed on to future generations as this fund continues to grow in size and importance.


Field of Interest Funds
These are funds that are designated to a specific giving area.  Grants from the earnings of these funds are determined by the foundation board, based on the greatest need or potential impact on that area at the time. 

Example: Martha gives to the Women's Fund.  Her gift, along with other donations are pooled and the Women's Fund Board makes recommendations on the projects/organizations that will best serve the needs of women and children in Central Wisconsin.


Specially Endowed Funds
With this kind of fund, a donor can identify a portion of an endowed fund that can go toward making an immediate charitable gift before the endowed portion of the gift has a chance to create earnings.

Example: The Gray family wants to establish an annual $500 scholarship in honor of a great community mentor.  They start the fund with $12,000.  Since that will take a while to start generating annual income, they identify $1000 of the total as available for immediate distribution.  They grant $500 the first two years, allowing the $11,000 endowed portion to grow.  Earnings will usually cover the annual grant from that time on.


Agency Investment Funds
Charitable community organizations may establish funds that are pooled with other restricted funds to generate long term growth for their organization in the future.

Example: The Goodness Society wants to gain the best interest earnings on some reserve funds they are holding.  They understand that unlike endowed funds, these resources can be withdrawn within 90 days if the organization needs special support.


Unrestricted Funds
Gifts that are unrestricted allow the Community Foundation Board of Directors to address the greatest community needs at any point in time based on their discretion.

Example: Bill and Lois Jones name the Community Foundation as beneficiaries of  a portion of their life insurance.   Pooled with other unrestricted dollars, these earnings will continue to  impact the community's greatest needs in the future. 


Seed-a-Future Funds
For those unable to endow a fund immediately ($10,000 to reach endowed status), donors can start growing a fund for as little as $600/year.  If the market performs as expected, the fund will become endowed in less than ten years and will then give forever.

 Example: The Smiths love the community and want to give back.  They set aside $50/month and make a $600 annual contribution to the Smith Family Fund.  When endowed, they feel good knowing that they will be giving to the community long after they are gone.


Special Project Funds
From time to time, special projects of great importance to the community may utilize the services of the Community Foundation to collect tax-exempt donations for that project until it is completed.  The fund is dissolved when completed.


Keystone Fund
This is an endowed fund where interest earnings go to support the on-going operational needs of the Community Foundation organization.  This allows the Foundation to extend additional services as the Foundation grows.

Example: The XXX Business makes a significant donation to the Community Foundation's Keystone Fund over a five year period, knowing how important the contributions of the Community Foundation will be to Central Wisconsin in the future.