GIVING TOOLKIT
Endowments
A legacy of givingGiving is personal
Many people come to a point in their lives where they feel inclined to give back. They do so for a number of reasons, all very personal to them.
There are as many ways to give as there are motivations. The key to a rewarding giving experience is finding the best fit for your charitable priorities, financial goals and personal preferences.
The Saginaw Community Foundation, along with your professional advisor, can help you determine the custom giving solution that’s right for you.
What is an endowment?
When you create a charitable fund through the Saginaw Community Foundation, you’ll know that your gift will benefit the community forever. When a fund is endowed at SCF, earnings gained through investments are used to make grants that address needs in Saginaw County. Because of this, your gift, and all future earnings, become a permanent source of community capital, helping do good work today and in the future.
Legacy and stability
Donors who endow their gifts can make a difference in their community during their lifetime and, at the same time, provide a gift that lasts forever.
To ensure a gift lasts forever, we have implemented a 5% spending policy on endowed funds. Each year, we calculate the spendable portion of endowed funds by using a 12-quarter rolling average of the average fund balance. The amount is calculated by the beginning of November and available spendable dollars for grantmaking purposes are available in January the following year.
Grants then will continue to be made in the name of the fund you establish so that your charitable wishes are preserved, establishing a legacy for you and your family.
Leaders of a nonprofit organization also may look to the community foundation to hold their organization’s endowment because they know that having a constant source of funding helps them respond to emergency needs, plan for the future and sustain the good work they do.
Expert help
The Saginaw Community Foundation handles all of the administrative details for endowment funds. Additionally, when donors or nonprofit organizations work through the community foundation to achieve their charitable goals, they benefit from the expertise of experienced local program staff, community leadership and investment management.
Contact us at (989) 755-0545 or via email with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Download a PDF of our Giving Toolkit Endowments information sheet.