Ways to Give

The Community Foundation offers an ideal way to support the issues in Southeastern Massachusetts that mean the most to you. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern-- improving the quality of the life in Southeastern Massachusetts . Individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help our region meet the challenges of the changing times. The foundation invests and administers these funds. We then use the distributions to award grants each year to many of the humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations in this remarkable region we call home.
Using CFSEMA is like having your own foundation without the paperwork or the expense.

Deciding when to give? You can create your fund now, establish it in your will, or create it through a trust arrangement that benefits your family as well as charity. You may give in honor of an anniversary, to celebrate a special event or to support a cause. Tax deductions are earned at the time of your gift, while grants awarded from your fund will continue into the future.

Deciding what to give? Almost any kind of asset can be used to start your fund, such as cash, publicly traded securities, real estate, life insurance, tangible personal property and private foundation assets. We can also discuss other options with you, such as bequests, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts, charitable lead trusts, charitable gift annuities, life income and deferred charitable gift annuities.

Choosing the name for your fund? Most of our funds are named for the donor's family or as a memorial to someone special. Every grant from the fund will carry the name; If you prefer anonymity, you may choose a name that reflects your fund's charitable purposes.

Choosing a type of fund? We offer a variety of funds listed below that are flexible to meet our donors' different charitable interests.

 

Reasons to Establish a Fund

Flexibility The Community Foundation's goal is to match the donor's philanthropic wishes with the needs of the community. Donors can choose a fund's charitable purpose and level of involvement.

Low cost Funds enjoy the advantages of minimal administrative, investment and service feels because of the economies of scale gained by being part of the portfolio of the Community Foundation. The Foundation pools its endowment funds for investment purposes, allowing more efficient investment and greater protection against fluctuation than if the fund were invested separately.

Alternative to family foundation Donors can involve family members in the grants program.

Maximum tax deductibility The Community Foundation is a public charity, all contributions qualify for maximum available charitable deduction to the extent of the law.

Recognition of confidentiality Donors can elect to remain anonymous.

Permanence Donors who endow funds enjoy knowing that their gift will support, in perpetuity, their favorite charities or issues.

Investment Management Your funds get the benefit of some of the best professional investment managements with continued oversight by the Foundation's staff, the Board's Investment Committee, and the Board of Director. We are happy to provide you with additional details.

 

Our Funds

Individual named funds may be established within the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts and are designed to accomplish the objectives of the individual, family, corporate, or organizational donors.  For more information about a specific type of fund and an example of an agreement for that fund, please click on thy type of fund that interests you.

Unrestricted Funds offer the broadest giving option, allowing grants to be made by staff and volunteers to meet our communities greatest needs.

Field of Interest Funds create grants that meet needs in a particular field or geographic area that is of interest to you. 

Designated Funds let you support specific organizations while we make sure that grants to these groups remain relevant over time and responsive to changing circumstances.

Donor Advised Funds enable you to recommend specific organizations to receive grants.

Scholarship Funds help students pursue academic goals.  You may define guidelines for candidacy, the advisory committee, the school, and the award itself.

Organizational Endowment Funds  are established by non-profit organizations to provide income to them.  We handle all administrative and investment responsibilities, freeing the organization to pursue its charitable mission.

By establishing a fund with us, you'll know your gifts are in good hands.  Our staff can help you identify where your gift will best benefit the community.  The result is a lasting legacy that addresses the needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow, establishes a tradition of philanthropy and ensures that your fund will develop community capital to improve the quality of life now and well into the future.

To learn more about establishing a fund, please contact Craig J. Dutra, President of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.  We are available to work with you, your attorney, your trust officer, or other financial advisor at any time.