Donor FAQ

The Community Foundation is passionate about creating vibrant, thriving communities in Michigan's capital region. We work with donors to meet their charitable goals, support area nonprofits with grants and coaching, and lead innovative projects that drive community growth. We're also known as the Capital Region Community Foundation, and we are a tax-exempt public charity.

To lead philanthropic solutions that build vibrant communities in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties.

We derive our assets from many donors rather than one, have broad charitable purposes, and a demographically diverse, non-compensated board of trustees. Because we are a public charity, we receive more favorable tax treatment, do not pay excise taxes on income, and have more flexibility in our operating ability.

No, we are a resource for and supporter of them. We hold many endowment funds for local nonprofits, work to develop their assets, and grant to their organizations.

We have a variety of funds that enable you to start giving immediately or giving strategies that will make gifts to your fund later. You may also choose to do both.

We manage more than 560 funds and oversee more than $150 million in assets.

There are several fund types from which to choose. You may donate to an established fund or establish your own named fund with a donation of $10,000 or more, depending on the type of fund. Options include: field of interest funds; donor-advised funds; designated funds; and agency endowment funds. We also have high impact funds such as: Local Impact Investment; Leadership Fund; Community Needs Fund; and DEI Action Fund. We accept gifts of cash, securities, and real estate. Our full Gift Acceptance Policy is available upon request.

Bequests, retirement assets, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, and life insurance are all welcome gifts. We also offer Legacy (Testamentary) Funds that outline the donor's wishes when funded after their death.

Yes, your contributions qualify for the maximum allowable deduction for income, gift, and estate tax purposes since we are a 501(c)(3) public charity as classified by the Internal Revenue Service.

We manage all the administrative details, while offering you personalized service, networking events, and notice of funding opportunities that align with your giving preferences. We'll also keep informed of emergency and critical needs in the community.

Not if you don't want them to be. Stories of charitable donors can inspire others to give, although anonymity is also available if preferred.

Members of the Legacy Society have planned a future gift through a Legacy (Testamentary) Fund, bequest, trust, life insurance, charitable gift annuity, or charitable remainder or lead trust. We established the Legacy Society to honor those people now for what they're doing for our future.

Yes. We have great relationships with a host of local professional advisors and provide them with all the resources they need to get the process started.

Our Youth Advisory Council is a youth advisory committee to the Board of Trustees. These mid-Michigan teens represent approximately 16 school districts in the tri-county area and are committed to community service, philanthropy, and volunteerism. They are also grantmakers, giving over $66,000 in grants in 2023.