Establish a Fund
Establishing a fund at the Arizona Community Foundation is an easy, effective way to invest in your community. Focus on specific issues, regions, or organizations, or create a fund with a flexible purpose.
We can help you achieve your charitable goals. Get started in as little as one meeting with one of our professional staff.
We can help you achieve your charitable goals. Get started in as little as one meeting.
- Email us info@azfoundation.org
- Call us 602.381.1400
- In Person Find your local office.
Types of Funds
We have many fund types for you to choose from, depending on your charitable goals and level of giving. Many of these fund types may either be spendable or endowed.
Donor Advised Fund
You want to benefit from being part of a public charity and playing an active role in grantmaking without the high overhead of a private charitable organization.
Scholarship Fund
You want to invest in students pursuing their education. Choose different levels of involvement depending on your interests and goals.
Field of Interest Fund
You select a focus area and let ACF manage competitive grant cycles and award funding to qualified organizations and programs.
Designated Fund
You select one or more nonprofit organizations that will receive a reliable annual income stream, and leave the rest to us.
Collaborative Fund
A group contributes to a single fund and grants are recommended by a committee, often supporting a common cause or jointly funded program.
Supporting Organizations
Involve infinite generations of family members while enjoying the public charity tax benefit and administrative support provided by ACF.
How to establish an ACF fund
What will happen when you get in touch with us? We’ll walk you through a few simple steps and get your charitable fund started right away. Explore each step below.
Step 1
Define your charitable and financial objectives.
- What's your passion?
- What do you envision for your community?
- What level of tax benefit do you seek?
- Would you like to involve the next generation of your family?
- What's your passion?
- What do you envision for your community?
- What level of tax benefit do you seek?
- Would you like to involve the next generation of your family?
Step 2
Determine the fund's giving strategy.
- To support the broadest range of local needs.
- To support a variety of organizations within a particular field, for example: music education, the environment, or affordable housing.
- To support various organizations, at your recommendation.
- To benefit one or more specific charitable organizations.
- To support students seeking higher education through scholarships.
- To support the broadest range of local needs.
- To support a variety of organizations within a particular field, for example: music education, the environment, or affordable housing.
- To support various organizations, at your recommendation.
- To benefit one or more specific charitable organizations.
- To support students seeking higher education through scholarships.
Step 3
Choose a type of fund.
Available options will be driven by decisions made in steps 1 and 2.
Available options will be driven by decisions made in steps 1 and 2.
Step 4
Determine the timing and amount of your gift.
Do you want to:
- Create a fund during your lifetime?
- Create a fund through your will or trust?
Do you want to:
- Create a fund during your lifetime?
- Create a fund through your will or trust?
Step 5
Determine what assets to contribute.
Options include:
- Cash equivalents
- Publicly-traded and privately-held securities
- Full or partial business interests
- Real estate, including land and personal property
- Life insurance policies
- Pension fund assets
- Retirement account assets
Learn more about what assets we accept >
Options include:
- Cash equivalents
- Publicly-traded and privately-held securities
- Full or partial business interests
- Real estate, including land and personal property
- Life insurance policies
- Pension fund assets
- Retirement account assets
Learn more about what assets we accept >
Step 6
Consider your income needs.
Are you interested in making a charitable gift and receiving income for the remainder of your lifetime or a set period of years? Both are possible with a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust.
Are you interested in making a charitable gift now, but preserving some wealth for your heirs after your lifetime? You may be interested in a charitable lead trust.
Are you interested in making a charitable gift and receiving income for the remainder of your lifetime or a set period of years? Both are possible with a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust.
Are you interested in making a charitable gift now, but preserving some wealth for your heirs after your lifetime? You may be interested in a charitable lead trust.
Step 7
Name the fund.
Funds can be named for you, your family or to memorialize a loved one.
Or, you may choose anonymity and select a name that reflects your charitable intent.
Funds can be named for you, your family or to memorialize a loved one.
Or, you may choose anonymity and select a name that reflects your charitable intent.
Step 8
Sign the fund agreement.
You’ll work with our professional staff to complete and sign your fund agreement. Once complete, you will be assigned a relationship manager who will provide ongoing support for your fund, help you think through charitable strategies, and assure your philanthropic wishes are met in perpetuity.
You’ll work with our professional staff to complete and sign your fund agreement. Once complete, you will be assigned a relationship manager who will provide ongoing support for your fund, help you think through charitable strategies, and assure your philanthropic wishes are met in perpetuity.
Ready to start your fund?
Administrative Fees