>> Why Choose Us?
We Know the Valley
When you choose to invest in the future of our communities, you want to work with someone who knows the territory. The broad cross-section of leaders who guide our work lends valuable insight that will help your charitable giving achieve maximum results.
We Share Your Interests
We are here to help you become connected to the issues you care about most. Your charitable interests and priorities are important to us because committed, caring citizens are so important to our community's well-being.
We Care About the Future
By setting up a fund, you have the ideal opportunity to create a legacy for yourself and for our area.
We Help You Achieve Superior Tax Benefits
Since the IRS considers us a public charity, contributions are eligible for the highest available tax deductions. In most cases, these tax benefits outweigh using your assets to establish your own private foundation.
We Make Set-Up and Administration Easy
Establishing a fund can be done in less time than it takes to open a bank account. We take care of all the administrative and grantmaking activities, eliminating the need for you to set up a separate institution, formulate policies, file innumerable forms and monitor the status of grant recipients. We save you precious time and money.
Comparison of Community vs. Private Foundations
The Comparison of Community vs. Private Foundations is available on-line in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. To view/download the document, click on the link below. If you need the Acrobat viewer, it is available as a free download from Adobe.
[View Comparison of Community vs. Private Foundations]
Seven Steps to Philanthropy
1. Discuss your overall philanthropic goals with your family members and legal or tax advisors.
2. Decide how much you can afford to give.
3. Determine the causes/organizations that will use your donations to meet the goals you support.
4. Meet with us to discuss your plan. Ask questions, explore the different gift vehicles available to you and review the documents needed to implement your plan.
5. Share the documents with your family and your professional advisors.
6. Transfer your gift to us.
7. Review our confirmation of your completed gift and the ongoing progress of grants that are awarded from your fund.