Flexible Giving Choices

GCF offers donors four different types of funds, depending on the degree of involvement the donor wishes to retain with respect to grantmaking from the fund.

Donor Advised Funds Donor advised funds allow donors who want to be involved, during their lifetime, in the grantmaking from the fund. Donors may suggest grants from the fund to any U.S. public charity. To meet IRS regulations, GCF's Governing Board must retain the right to review and approve donor grant suggestions and is not legally bound by these suggestions. Please see Frequently Asked Questions About Donor Advised Funds for more details.

Restricted Funds Restricted funds allow donors to provide lasting support for specific charities or causes. Restricted funds include:  Designated funds, which name one or more specific organizations to receive distributable income year after year.  Organization endowment funds, established by nonprofit organizations to create a permanent endowment at the Foundation that will last for all time. Scholarship funds, which make awards based on criteria selected by the donor.

Field of Interest Funds Field of interest funds are suited for donors who want to benefit a particular interest area (for example, art education, children’s issues, or senior services) but do not want to designate the specific nonprofit organizations that will receive grants.

Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted funds are ideal for forward-thinking individuals who know that the needs of the community are constantly changing and who want their charitable dollars to be responsive to such ongoing change. Unrestricted fund donors entrust to the Foundation’s Governing Board and staff the responsibility to identify and address evolving needs in the Greater Cincinnati community by making grants to worthy local nonprofit applicants.

GCF staff is happy to discuss these fund options with you and to assist in determining which fund type is most appropriate to the fulfillment of your charitable goals.