We know you consider your charitable gifts to be an investment – in your community, your place of worship, your alma mater or whatever causes you select. Satisfaction comes from knowing that your contributions have been effective and have created positive change in your community. That’s why there are several types of charitable funds available to support your giving. Select the fund that best matches your personal approach to giving and your charitable intent.

Unrestricted Funds

These funds allow the Foundation to allocate the donor’s gift to support the unmet or future charitable needs of the Pinellas community. In 2009, the Foundation funded over 48 charitable organizations in Pinellas County. Services provided by these organizations included affordable housing, children and youth, elderly, health care, women, family services and animal welfare.

Designated Funds

These funds benefit charities specified by donors. In 2009, over 40 charities that were designated by donors received distributions from the Foundation.

Field of Interest Funds

Donors who create a field of interest fund name the cause or issue which they desire to support. The Foundation, through a competitive process, selects the organizations for grants from those funds. Currently, the Foundation has Field of Interest funds for the environment, public broadcasting, and social and human services.

Donor Advised Fund

The donor advises the Foundation about how distributions are to be made. The Foundation’s Donor Advised Funds are governed by an Agreement between the donor and the Foundation and by the Foundation’s Guidelines for Donor Advised Funds.

Scholarship Funds

In 2009, the Foundation administered eleven scholarship programs. and distributed over $151,000 for scholarships.

Agency Endowment Funds

These funds permit non-profits to create permanent revenue streams. Incomes from endowments allow them to weather unforeseen circumstances that might otherwise necessitate the curtailment of services. By placing endowments at the Foundation, these organizations have access to a level of expertise not readily available to other nonprofits. By working with the Community Foundation, these agencies safeguard their endowments forever.