Opening a Fund

Start Your Impact Here

Explore a variety of fund types to meet your interests and financial planning goals. EBCF manages all administrative and reporting requirements.

Agency Fund

Commonly established by corporations, other businesses, and non-profit organizations. EBCF works with the entity to shape a grants program that meets the organizations’ charitable objectives and to evaluate the effectiveness of the grants. An Agency Fund is established by a tax-exempt nonprofit organization or “agency.” It allows the organization to focus on its mission rather than spend time identifying and supervising investment managers. It also helps nonprofits with gift planning and endowment-building to ensure their long-term financial sustainability. For more information, click here.

Donor Advised Fund

Our most popular fund: most commonly used by individuals and families. A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a giving vehicle that provides you with immediate tax benefits and the ability to support nonprofits you care about most. Donor Advised Funds are one of the most efficient, flexible and cost-effective alternatives to private or family foundations. For more information, click here.

Field of Interest Fund

A Field of Interest Fund (FOI) supports a specific area of “interest” that you define. You identify an area of charitable interest — as broad or narrow as you choose — and EBCF evaluates organizations that do the best work in the interest area and then makes grants to the organization(s). For more information, click here.

Scholarship Fund

A Scholarship Fund is established by an individual, organization, or corporation to support the educational pursuits of students at different levels of education. For more information, click here.

Supporting Organization - A Private Foundation Alternative

A Supporting Organization is an alternative to a private foundation for philanthropically-minded individuals and families. As a supporting organization to EBCF, this entity would have tax exempt status as a public charity with a separate identity and its own mission and board of directors. For more information, click here.

Testamentary Fund

Opening a Testamentary Fund at EBCF ensures that your philanthropic commitment will live on in the hands of a trusted partner. With a Testamentary Fund, you entrust the East Bay Community Foundation to fulfill your family’s legacy, and your philanthropic values. Commonly used by those who wish to establish a philanthropic legacy. Funded via a gift from your estate aimed at guaranteeing that your intentions are fulfilled after your death. EBCF works with you to write a fund agreement describing how the fund should operate, who will make decisions on its behalf, and what charities it will support. For more information, click here.

Comparison - Agency Fund, Donor Advised Fund, and Field of Interest Fund

For more information, click here.

Comparison - Donor Advised Fund, Supporting Organization, and Private Foundation

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Fund and Grantmaking Policies

Grant Due Diligence Policy

Grant Due Diligence Policy FAQ

Inactive Fund Policy

First, decide how you would like to make the contribution to establish the fund. You may contribute cash, securities, or other property valued at $10,000 or more.

  • Select a name for your fund. You might want to use your own name, the name of a family member or one which provides you with anonymity.
  • Designate current fund advisors, such as yourself and spouse, and successor advisors such as your children.
  • Choose an investment strategy for the fund.
  • Complete and sign a fund agreement.

Once your fund is established, you may:

  • Add to the fund at any time in any dollar amount.
  • Recommend distributions from your fund to charities locally, throughout the US or internationally. There is no limit to the number of grants you can award each year.
  • Specify how grant disbursements are to be acknowledged – whether in the name of the fund or anonymously.
  • Receive information from the Foundation about nonprofits that meet your philanthropic goals in your own community and beyond.

Once your fund is established, you may choose to partner with the Foundation on our “focus” issues of most pressing needs in the East Bay. Learn more.

Our staff is ready to assist you. For more information, please contact us.

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