Racine Community Foundation: What is a Community Foundation?

What is a Community Foundation?

What is a Community Foundation?

Community Foundations are non-profit organizations established to do three things:

Provide a way for individuals, families and companies to make a charitable investment in a community or cause.

Award grants from established charitable funds to support charitable programs.

Lead community conversations regarding emerging needs.

There are over 2,000 Community Foundations worldwide serving a variety of communities, from rural areas to large cities. Community Foundations provide donors with charitable giving tools to make a lasting difference.

We make charitable giving easy – and effective. When you make a gift to a Community Foundation, your donation receives maximum tax deductions, outstanding investment management and very low administrative costs.

Gifts made through a Community Foundation are a cost-effective, high-impact way for residents who love a community or a cause to make a lasting difference.

Why Use a Community Foundation?

When you decide to support non-profit organizations in your community, a Community Foundation can offer many benefits to you as well as to the recipients of your generosity.

Funds given to the Racine Community Foundation are immediately tax deductible as charitable gifts, to the full extent allowed by law.

Gifts can be made well in advance of the actual grant-making decision(s) to achieve “up front” tax deductions.

The Community Foundation handles administration and investment of charitable funds, so you can relax knowing that your fund is expertly managed and professionally invested.

Grants are made over time, in accordance with the wishes of the donor. Depending on the type of fund you choose, you can either be involved in grant-making decisions or let the Community Foundation choose grant recipients for you.

Smaller contributions invested over several years can grow to substantial grant-making funds.

The Community Foundation understands the community’s needs and has the experience to determine how your funds can best help our community thrive.

The Community Foundation can link non-profit organizations with similar goals, providing networking and relationship-building opportunities within the community.