Types of Funds

ACT offers a variety of fund options to help you meet your philanthropic goals and respond to community needs. From donor-advised funds (which allow you to engage in active grantmaking) to Unrestricted funds (which rely on the foundation’s knowledge of the community for grantmaking decisions), our funds allow you to select the manner in which you want to invest in the Alexandria community and around the world.

Donor Advised Funds:

Donor advised funds are established by donors who wish to participate in the grant-making process. Individuals who establish a donor advised fund recommend charitable projects or organizations they want to support. It is easy to give to multiple nonprofits through a donor advised fund. Our ACT Advisory Board is legally responsible for approving all grants.

Designated Funds:

Donors who wish to support a specific agency or cause can establish a designated fund. If the original charity ceases to exist, becomes obsolete or is unable to perform their charitable purposes, the ACT Advisory Board of Directors is able to redirect the funds to an organization providing similar services without the cost of expensive legal action.

Many nonprofit organizations establish an endowment fund with us in order to grow assets to meet both current and future needs. They look to our Board for strong investment oversight services and ask our staff to manage all of the administrative details of the endowment. This can provide a relatively constant source of annual income and help maintain their mission in perpetuity. It also frees the nonprofit to focus on what they do best in the community.

Donors can created a new designated fund or contribute to an existing one.

Field-of-Interest Funds:

Field-of-interest funds are often established to support particular interest areas, specific program initiatives, causes or geographic areas. At the donor's request, use of the funds is restricted to a specific area of interest, but flexibility remains to meet changing situations.

Scholarship Funds:

The creation of a scholarship fund is attractive to many donors and can be structured to benefit students at any educational level, or for a specific institution. A scholarship fund can also be established to honor a loved one.

Some donors choose to stay involved through advisory relationships, while others name advisory committees to assist in the selection of recipients. Either way, our staff will handle the necessary paperwork and will ensure that scholarships are distributed in an equitable manner.

Partner with ACT on Strategic Initiative Funds:

ACT has created special funds designed to address vital issues facing Alexandria. Donors are invited to participate with ACT on major initiatives, such as the ACT Capacity Building Grant Program, ACT Now Fund, The Giving Circle of Alexandria, Give Back Alexandria, the Alexandria Council of Human Service Organizations, and Alexandria Board Leadership Exchange.

ACT Community Fund:

Donors can support changing community needs by providing unrestricted support. Donors may create separate funds or donate to the foundation's endowment, current and future. The foundation's board of directors will use the funds to address pressing needs in Alexandria.