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Why Choose The Community Foundation

The Community Foundation administers charitable funds for individuals, corporations, area organizations, and for special community projects.  Many of these funds are “endowment funds” which are structured to serve their charitable purpose(s) in perpetuity.  Other funds are “pass-thru funds” which are temporary charitable vehicles that close upon the fulfillment of their purposes.  There are solid reasons why donors choose to entrust their charitable dollars with us.

Protection Of Fund Assets And Investments

  • The Community Foundation guarantees adherence to the original purposes of each of its funds.  Donors have the assurance that grants from their fund will be distributed in a manner consistent with the fund’s original intent.
  • The Foundation assumes the responsibility for the secure investment of all of its funds.  Within the broadly-designated guidelines suggested by donors, the Foundation strives to maximize annual income or to build fund principal, in accordance with the fund purpose.
  • Currently, the Foundation uses the investment services of five local financial institutions – BMO Harris Private Bank, Clear Perspective Advisors, First National Bank of Omaha,  Old Second Wealth Management, and Trust Company of Illinois.  Working with local institutions ensures careful attention to Foundation accounts.
  • We strive to offer a better investment return to each participating fund within the Foundation through (1) the pooling of assets, (2) the diversification of investments, and (3) the reduction of costs to any one fund through shared expenses.
  • If a non-profit organization maintaining a fund ceases to exist, the Foundation has the responsibility to redirect distributions from the fund for charitable purposes similar to those supported by the original organization.  Donors are assured that gifts given today will be available to serve compatible charitable purposes.
  • If the Foundation dissolves or ceases to be a charitable organization, the assets of each of its funds, after payment of any liabilities properly chargeable to the funds, will be distributed in accordance with the instrument which governs the administration of each specific fund.  The assets of funds without specific governing instruments will be distributed for charitable purposes in accordance with each fund’s original intent.

Administrative Services

  • The Foundation acknowledges all donations accepted for deposit in a fund in a timely manner.  All stationery supplies and postage expense are provided.
  • An accounting of all receipts and expenditures within a fund is furnished as requested.
  • A listing of all donors to each fund will be provided for recognition purposes.
  • Distributions are made in accordance with the terms establishing each fund.
  • Financial statements are sent to individuals and organizations maintaining funds.
  • All government forms and audits are completed by the Foundation for each fund.
  • The Foundation keeps current on changes in the tax laws and other legislation that affect charitable giving.
  • The Foundation works to attract additional support for all of its funds through its publications and press releases.
  • The Foundation office fields telephone calls and written requests for information on behalf of each individual fund.

Other Benefits

  • All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.  Through affiliation with the Foundation, each component fund affords its donors maximum tax advantages.
  • Foundation funds can be established for a wide variety of charitable purposes: (1) to one or more fields-of-interest, such as education, health, social services, environmental concerns, senior citizen needs, youth-related needs, etc.; (2) to one or more specific charitable organizations, such as a church, a nonprofit agency, a designated public or private school, a cultural institution, etc.; (3) for unrestricted purposes which authorize the Foundation to allocate grants for emergencies, for newly identified needs, or to current worthwhile community projects.
  • Banks are not receptive to managing individual accounts under $100,000.  Individuals and organizations with their own accounts must constantly monitor their returns, be aware of market trends and make investment decisions without the benefit of professional guidance. The Community Foundation is an efficient alternative.
  • As the Foundation grows, its ability to realize greater investment returns increases as well.  By investing in a pool of charitable capital which continues to attract additional participants, each individual fund should benefit accordingly.
  • By being a part of the Community Foundation, individuals and organizations receive the benefit of association with a well-respected institution which has served the Fox Valley area for over 70 years.

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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