Fund Types and Vehicles

Donors can select any of our fund types to establish a fund in their name, the name of their family or business, or in honour of any person or organization (some naming rules may apply). Depending on a donor’s philanthropic interests, funds can support the most pressing needs in the community, a specific focus area , or particular causes or organizations.

While most of our funds are endowed, donors also have the option to create term, spend-down or flow-through funds to meet their granting objectives.

Unrestricted Funds support the overall well-being of our community and respond to grant applications, emergency requests and emerging opportunities.

Field-of-Interest Funds allow donors to give the Foundation discretion over the allocation of grants according to a general theme or specific focus area.

Donor-Advised Funds are an ideal alternative to establishing a private foundation. These funds allow donors to advise which charities receive grants, either independently or by leveraging the Foundation’s expertise, while leaving financial and administrative management to the Foundation.

Designated Funds allow donors to specify charitable organizations as the ongoing beneficiaries of their fund.

Organizational Funds help registered charitable organizations benefit from the Foundation’s professional endowment management expertise and administrative assistance.

Regional Funds can be established by nearby municipalities that wish to support local charities and causes without incurring the costs and resources of establishing independent community foundations.

We offer a range of fund vehicles beyond the traditional permanent endowment, allowing donors to fulfill their objectives in a way that best meets their needs.

• Endowment: The traditional staple of community foundations, permanent endowments create a lasting legacy or tribute by ensuring that a donor’s named fund continues in perpetuity
• Term: A term fund allows a fund’s capital to be fully disbursed after an agreed-upon period.
• Spend-Down: This type of fund is invested in our investment pool with the intention of granting out the capital in pre-determined intervals until it is fully depleted. A spend-down fund may be suitable for donors with significant but uncommitted assets or wish to make grants primarily during their lifetimes.
• Flow-Through: Unlike endowed funds, a flow-through fund is not invested in our investment pool for annual earnings and allows for immediate disbursements at the donor’s discretion.

Any of these funds can be created in the donor’s name, the name of their family, business, or organization, or anyone they wish to honour (subject to naming guidelines).

All grants from our funds — both today and in the future — are awarded to qualified donees in the donors’ names as per their wishes.  This ensures that donors remain involved in and remembered for their community investment.

Funds can also be established and disbursed anonymously.