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General Information

The Community Foundation of Burke County provides you a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving. We offer a variety of giving tools to help you achieve your charitable goals. You can make a gift of cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, or other assets to your community foundation. Most charitable gifts qualify for maximum tax advantage under federal law.

Each donor has a unique giving experience, tailored to suit his or her situation and goals. Here are the basics — how you can create a fund at the Community Foundation of Burke County. For details, contact Caroline Avery.

• You may contribute any amount to one of the Community Foundation's existing endowments that benefit a broad range of issues and organizations. Make a gift to an endowment that supports a cause you believe in - there are many to choose from in our list of endowments to the right.
• You may make a gift of cash, appreciated stocks, real estate, or other assets to establish an endowment fund. The minimum amount to establish most endowments is $10,000.
• We set up a special fund in your name, in the name of your family or business, or in honor of any person or organization you choose.
• You receive tax benefits in the year your gift is made.
• Based on the type of fund you establish, you may be able to stay involved in the good works your gift makes possible. You can recommend an area or organization you’d like your gift to support, or rely on the community foundation’s experienced staff to determine and address the areas of greatest need in our community.
• Our board issues grants in the name of the fund you establish (if you prefer, grants can be made anonymously).
• We handle the administrative details.
• Your gift can be placed into an endowment that is invested over time. Earnings from your fund are used to make grants addressing community needs. Your gift – and all future earnings from your gift – is a permanent source of community capital, helping do good work forever.

Opportunities

• A family value
• Companies giving back
• Year-end tax planning
• Simple alternative to private foundations
• Strategic giving
• Sale of a business
• Closely held stock
• Preserving an estate

A family value: Opening a Donor Advised Fund allows you to pass along the value of giving to your family. By choosing a Donor Advised Fund, your family can make a gift to your community foundation, then remain actively involved in suggesting uses for the fund.

Companies giving back: Looking for an easier, more effective way to give and gain a higher return on your investment in charity? Establish a Donor Advised Fund and a team of your employees can meet regularly to review local need and recommend grants. It's a better approach.

Year-end tax planning: Just earned a large bonus, but no time to decide on the most deserving charities? Establish a Donor Advised Fund for an immediate tax deduction, and stay involved in your gift for years to come.

Simple alternative to private foundations: Thinking about establishing a private foundation, but looking for a better, simpler way? Establish a Donor Advised Fund and stay personally involved with the distribution of gift dollars. Use community foundation grant expertise for greater impact.

Strategic giving: Passionate about meeting a specific community need and want to make a meaningful gift? Community foundation uses expertise to recommend ways to make the greatest impact.

Sale of a business: Own highly appreciated stock in a company that is about to be acquired? Structure a charitable gift of stock before the company is sold to reduce capital gains and increase charitable deductions. Establish a Donor Advised Fund so a once-in-a-lifetime event can help you do good, forever.

Closely held stock: Is your personal net worth tied up in a closely held company, but you want to give back? Donate a portion of company stock to the community foundation; company may buy it back for fair market value. Establish a Donor Advised Fund or planned gift; donor is eligible for a tax deduction at the fair market value of appreciated stock (less any planned gift value).

Preserving an estate: Your estate planning identifies significant taxes going to the IRS, but want to keep tax dollars local. Reduce taxable estate through charitable bequest or other planned gift. Create personal legacy in community that stays true to your charitable intent forever.

Learn more about Charitable Funds - great giving options.

Learn more about Bequest by Will - how you can give.

Learn more about Charitable Assets - what you can give.

There is so much more we’d like you to know. For more information and ideas on ways to integrate your financial planning with charitable giving, ask your financial advisor or contact us.