East Bay Community Foundation offers a variety of giving vehicles to ensure your philanthropic giving is as meaningful and values-aligned as possible.
Charitable Fund Types
Give now, grant later. Our most popular fund commonly used by individuals, families, and corporations. A DAF provides you with immediate tax benefits and the ability to support nonprofits you care about most. DAFs are one of the most efficient, flexible and cost-effective alternatives to private or family foundations.
Open a DAF by completing this fillable PDF and emailing it to dsas@eastbaycf.org.
Commonly established by 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Establishing an Agency Fund allows your organization to focus on your mission. We work with you to shape a grants program that meets your organization’s charitable objectives. Agency funds are also one way that nonprofit organizations plan gifts and build endowments to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
A Field of Interest (FOI) Fund supports a specific area of “interest” that you define. You identify an area of charitable interest — as broad or narrow as you choose — and we will find organizations that do the best work in the interest area and then make grants to those organizations.
A Supporting Organization (SO) is an alternative to a private foundation for philanthropically-minded individuals and families. As a supporting organization, your SO would have tax-exempt status as a public charity and operate under the umbrella of EBCF with a separate identity and its own mission and board of directors.
Legacy funds, also called Testamentary Funds, are commonly used by individuals and families who wish to establish a philanthropic legacy. Opening a Legacy Fund ensures that your philanthropic commitment will live on in the hands of a trusted partner, whether that’s EBCF or a successor advisory that you appoint. This fund type guarantees that your intentions are fulfilled after your death.
Compare Fund Types
Not sure which fund is right for you? Use these comparison charts (PDF) to help evaluate your options.
This chart describes the fund minimum, governance model, investment options, naming conventions, administration fees, advisory privileges, annual distribution requirements, for Agency Funds, Donor Advised Funds (DAF), and Field of Interest (FOI) Funds.
This chart describes the philanthropic benefits, tax advantages, and administrative fees for three different types of charitable giving vehicles.
Fund and Grantmaking Policies
Grants made from funds held at East Bay Community Foundation are governed by our grantmaking and fund policies. These policies ensure that the philanthropic impact of grants made by EBCF align with the values of social justice and racial justice. These policies are periodically updated. All fundholders should be familiar with these policies.
Start the Process
Our team is ready to help you get started. Contact our Development Team using the form below to start the conversation.