FOR DONORS AND FUND STARTERS
Setting up a fund
Starting a charitable fund is simpler than most people expect. Here’s exactly what it takes—the minimums, the fees, and what happens after you reach out—so you can decide with confidence.
Step 1 · Choose a fund type
Fund types & minimum amounts
Every fund type has a different minimum to open. You can build to the minimum over time with a pledge, and funds can always grow from there.
Donor-Advised Fund
Recommend grants to the causes you care about, on your timeline, with our administrative support.
Minimum to open
$25,000
Scholarship Fund
Invest in local students. Set the criteria; we manage the application portal and awards.
Minimum to open
$25,000
Field-of-Interest Fund
Support an area—health, the arts, youth—and let our grantmaking find the best local impact.
Minimum to open
$25,000
Designated Fund
Provide reliable, ongoing support to one or more specific nonprofits you name.
Minimum to open
$25,000
Agency Funds
For nonprofits: a permanent fund we steward so you can focus on your mission.
Minimum to open
$25,000
Unrestricted Fund
Trust our board to direct your gift to the community’s most pressing needs, now and in the future.
Minimum to open
$25,000
Illustrative minimums for planning—final amounts pending board confirmation. Have something else in mind? Talk with our team.
Step 2 · Understand the costs
A plain-language fee structure
Fees are how we cover the administration, investment, and stewardship of your fund—and they stay in the community. There are no hidden charges and no surprises.
One-time setup cost
$0
There is no charge to establish a new fund with the Foundation.
| Fee | Rate | Applied To |
|---|---|---|
|
Administrative fee |
1% |
Annually, on fund balance—covers staff, compliance, grant processing, and reporting. |
|
Investment management |
0.63% |
Annually, charged by our investment managers based on the portfolio selected. |
|
One-time setup cost |
$0 |
No charge to establish a fund of any type. |
Example: a $50,000 donor-advised fund pays roughly $500/year in administrative fees plus a share of investment management—all reinvested in serving Clinton County.
Rates shown are illustrative and require committee sign-off before publishing.
Step 3 · The process
What happens next?
From first conversation to first grant, most funds are open and ready in about four to six weeks. Here’s the path.
Week 1
Reach out
A short conversation about your goals, the causes you care about, and your timeline.
Week 1–2
Choose your fund
We recommend a fund type and confirm the minimum, fees, and any tax considerations.
Week 2–3
Sign the agreement
We prepare a simple fund agreement naming your fund and its purpose for your signature.
Week 3–4
Make your gift
Fund with cash, appreciated stock, real estate, or a planned gift—whatever works for you.
Week 4–6
Start granting
Your fund is open. Recommend grants or begin awarding scholarships right away.
Common Questions
Yes. Most funds carry the name you choose—your family name, a loved one’s memory, or a cause. You can also remain anonymous.
Cash, appreciated securities, real estate, IRA distributions, and planned gifts through your estate. We’ll help you find the most tax-advantaged option.
Funds are pooled and professionally managed under the oversight of our investment committee, with options suited to your fund’s purpose and time horizon.
You can establish a fund with a pledge and build to the minimum over time. Talk with us—we’ll find a path that works.
Ready to Start a Conversation?
No pressure and no cost—just a friendly talk about your goals and the simplest way to reach them.