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Establishing a Fund

The Community Foundation for Ireland makes it easy and cost-effective for you to create a fund with the flexibility to address both immediate and emerging needs in the community. Just as you would do if you had your own private foundation, you may identify the organisations you wish to support and grants will be made in your name, or any name you choose. If the organisation you wish to support should cease to exist at some future date, the Community Foundation for Ireland will redirect your gift to a charity that works toward the same goals.

Whether you are an established philanthropist or new to charitable giving and want the support of professional staff and investment managers, the Community Foundation for Ireland can help you endow a fund that meets your needs, your interests, and your goals for permanent charitable giving. Creating a fund at the Community Foundation can usually be arranged in a few short meetings. That means that while the Foundation takes care of all administration, including the ever growing compliance and reporting requirements (which also add to the burden and costs associated with running your own private foundation) you enjoy the satisfaction of giving to the cause(s) which you care most about. A fund at the Community Foundation offers the following benefits:

  • For good – and for ever. A gift given to the community through the Community Foundation for Ireland is given in perpetuity. As a permanent memorial in your name, or the name of someone you wish to honour, that fund enables you to achieve your charitable goals now and in the future. Your gift will never lose its power to drive your charitable goals and will always be managed in accordance with your wishes.
  • Tax Advantages. When you create a fund at the Community Foundation for Ireland, all the relevant tax benefits arise, as the Community Foundation (a registered charity) is an “approved body” for the purposes of section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act. This designation can help ensure donors maximise the benefits for their preferred cause(s), creating more resources to address community needs.
  • Modest costs – and we handle all compliance/regulatory requirements.
    Using the Community Foundation for Ireland is a cost effective way to make your generosity work harder for you. For most funds, the Community Foundation charges only a modest annual administrative fee of one percent of the fund's fair market value. Extraordinary expenses for legal, consulting, or program services are charged against the appropriate fund. So that ensures that your generosity is directed exactly where you want it to work most effectively.
  • Professional Management. All assets are professionally managed in accordance with the investment policies determined by the Board of Directors. Your fund benefits from being pooled and invested with the Community Foundation's €5.8m in assets.
  • Charitable Impact. The Community Foundation for Ireland can assist you in targeting your contributions where they will do the most good for your community or Ireland as a whole. Grants from your fund can often be combined with those from other funds to make even greater impact.