Natural habitat preservation. Supporting the arts. A child’s education. Perhaps your passion exists in the disciplined eyes of a ballet teacher who taught you elegance in dance...or maybe your passion remains on the enchanting beaches you have strolled with your grandchildren...

The truth is, passion exists where someone or something has made a difference in your life. Make a difference in the lives of others. Endow your passion by creating a fund with JCCF . It makes a difference close to home...today and tomorrow.

Establish a Fund

With JCCF you can create a unique charitable fund that reflects your interests and passions — and then watch your investment go to work in our community.

You can support a specific nonprofit or a broad range of interests, make grants in the name of your fund or anonymously. Whatever your choice, it’s easy and rewarding — we’re here to assist you with these options.

• Area of Interest Funds
  Support a broad charitable interest
• Designated Funds
  Support one or more specific nonprofits of your choosing
• Agency Endowment Funds
  Established by a nonprofit to build organizational capacity
• Donor Advised Funds
  Actively involve donors in grantmaking
• Scholarship Funds
  Support targeted education opportunities
• Giving Circles
  Engage donor members in collaborative grantmaking
• Legacy Giving
  Carries a donor’s gift into the future

Types of Funds (PDF)
Fund Matrix (PDF)
Gift Acceptance Policy (PDF)
Privacy Policy (PDF)

Why a Community Foundation versus Private Foundation?

* Flexibility. Some donors have non-cash assets that they would like to convert to charitable use, either during their lifetimes or by charitable bequest. Community foundations can accept securities, including closely held stock, mutual fund shares, IRAs, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, life insurance, land, charitable lead and remainder trusts, and private foundation assets. Commercial gift funds cannot necessarily handle the same array of assets.

* Donor intent. Giving through a community foundation, a donor can support a specific cause, a favorite nonprofit organization, an educational institution, or a religious entity. A board of directors provides legal oversight for all grants. At JCCF, donors may support organizations within Jefferson County or outside the area.

* Professional assistance. Any community foundation, ours included, welcomes the opportunity to work with a donor's attorney, CPA, or other financial advisor to facilitate the donor's desired legacy. This is a mutually beneficial partnership.

* Tax deductions. Gifts to community foundations qualify for higher deductions compared with private foundations: up to 50 percent of adjusted gross income on gifts of cash, compared with 30 percent for private foundations.

* Flexible grant payouts. Private foundations are required to pay out 5 percent minimum of net asset value annually. In contrast, a community foundation consults with each donor to determine the size and frequency of grant payouts.

* Ease. Giving through a community foundation, a donor has none of the hassles of a private foundation: start up costs, excise tax, tax returns, accounting. Investments are handled with highest degree of professionalism;JCCFs assets are managed by the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.

* Grantmaking expertise and due diligence. For donors concerned with local issues, JCCF helps to identify and assess grantees, provide input on community needs, and ensure that recipients are qualified and effective. The Foundation can help donors identify a grantmaking strategy and leverage their gifts with the resources of others to address Jefferson County needs. Commercial gift funds do not typically offer such personalized advice. Private foundations must arrange and support their own grantmaking.

* Acknowledgment or anonymity. Gifts made from donor advised funds can be made privately or publicly, as desired.