Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Community Foundation?

Amador Community Foundation (ACF) is a tax-exempt, independent, publicly supported, philanthropic organization established and operated as a permanent collection of endowed funds for the long-term benefit of a defined geographic area.

When was the first Community Foundation started?

In 1914, Fredrick Goff, a Cleveland, Ohio attorney and president of the Cleveland Trust Company, started the first community foundation as a component of his bank. He had two goals: to create a philanthropic vehicle to facilitate donor’s charitable intentions in perpetuity even if their original purpose became obsolete (variance power); and second, to establish a system whereby people of modest means could also engage in large scale philanthropy if they pooled their contributions.

Who runs Amador Community Foundation?

ACF has an independent governing body representing the broad interests of the community with members of the board serving limited terms. The board is responsible for seeing that a reasonable rate of return is achieved on all funds entrusted to the foundation.

To whom is the Community Foundation accountable?

A community foundation files an annual return with the IRS which is a publicly available document. In addition, most states require a state information return which is also publicly available. The foundation is primarily accountable to the people of the area it serves.

Who invests the Foundation’s money?

ACF has established a philosophy and policies for investments. Currently, the investment portfolio is managed by the Finance and Investment Committee comprising the Treasurer, Vice President, other Board members and local financial professionals. Edward Jones provides outside professional advice.

How does the Foundation obtain funds?

ACF actively seeks contributions of permanent endowment funds from a wide range of donors who are generally residents of the area and provides assistance to those donors in fulfilling their philanthropic interests. The Foundation may also write grants for funds from private and family foundations. For example, Amador Community Foundation was awarded a matching grant from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. For every endowment dollar raised the Packard Foundation matched it one for one.

Who receives grants from a Community Foundation?

ACF has established guidelines and processes for distributing grants. Unrestricted funds are awarded in a competitive process and restricted grants are awarded to organizations or areas of interest designated by the donor. Grant guidelines and application are available at our website or from the foundation.

What happens if the Community Foundation ceases to exist?

The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the Community Foundation all remaining assets will be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.

What’s the difference between the United Way and a Community Foundation?

Amador Community Foundation uses the funds donated by individuals, associations or businesses to support all areas of the local community – arts and culture, education, health and human services, recreation, civic affairs and others.

The United Way typically serves only its member agencies, a small percentage of the total health and human services organizations in our community.

How long does it take to establish a fund?

It is a simple process involving a meeting with a representative of the foundation and the donor to review the fund agreement form and determine the donor’s desires and the most suitable way to accomplish them. Once the donor and other appropriate counselors of the donor approve the fund agreement form, the initial contribution is made and the fund is established. Generally, the fund needs to be approved and accepted by the board of the foundation at its next meeting.

How much needs to be donated?

ACF does not require a minimum amount to be donated. However, a minimum fund balance of $5,000 should be obtained within five years of fund initiation or the individual fund may be rolled into the unrestricted community fund.

Must all gifts be cash?

No. The foundation is able to accept gifts of appreciated securities/closely held stock (which are particularly advantageous to the donor), real property, or in some cases personal property, and insurance proceeds. In addition, the foundation can be named as the beneficiary in a will or trust. The community foundation offers the maximum charitable deduction allowed by law for estate, gift planning and all other donations.

Will the Foundation ever change the donor’s instructions?

A common governing instrument called a fund agreement covers all gifts and funds in the foundation. This agreement includes a “variance power” to modify the use of restricted funds if such restrictions become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community served. Those are the only conditions under which a foundation modifies the terms of a gift.

Do I need a lawyer to talk to a Foundation?

The fund agreements that establish donor-named funds in the foundation are made available to each donor during preliminary conversations with foundation staff. It is always recommended that the donors’ individual counselors review charitable gift plans.

How would I use my local Community Foundation?

A family may choose to establish a fund that bears their family name and continues their community giving in perpetuity. A community group may decide to establish a fund in honor or, in memory of, a friend or loved one. A business may choose a community foundation to help with its grantmaking, thus saving time and personnel for the business, yet assuring support for their selected charitable interests. Some donors choose to make their community philanthropy anonymous and the foundation is a perfect partner to help them. Nonprofit agencies often establish their endowments within a community foundation to guarantee their endowment donors that the principal of the gift is never disturbed and the earnings will forever come to the agency.

How does a Community Foundation help its community beyond making grants?

A community foundation also provides leadership on community issues by serving as a facilitator, convener or mediator around significant community discussions. If it has the staff capacity, it may also provide technical advice to community organizations in the grant preparation process.