Start A Fund - ACT for Alexandria : ACT for Alexandria

HOW IT WORKS

Creating a fund at ACT for Alexandria is an easy and effective way to invest in the health and vibrancy of our community. In a few easy steps, you can begin to put your charitable dollars to work in the areas that are most important to you. We meet personally with prospective fund holders to help determine what kind of fund aligns best with your philanthropic goals.

Types of Funds

Donor Advised Funds

The most common type of fund at ACT for Alexandria, a Donor Advised Fund is a tax-advantaged vehicle for philanthropic giving. It’s like having your own charitable bank account. A Donor Advised Fund lets you set resources aside to use when you want to make a charitable donation. You decide which organizations to support as well as when and how much to give.

What Are the Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund at ACT?

Tax advantages. You receive an immediate tax deduction for the value of the assets you deposit into your fund. You also avoid capital gains taxes when you donate appreciated assets, such as publicly or privately held stock, real estate, mutual funds, or life insurance. All earnings in your Donor Advised Fund grow tax-free.

Simplicity and flexibility. Donor Advised Funds are simple to set up, require no annual tax reporting, have no minimum distribution requirements, and allow you to decide how and when to donate to causes important to you.

Ease of use. You have 24/7 online access to your Donor Advised Fund. You can submit requests for ACT to make donations from your account, set up recurring grants, or make direct donations to any 501(c)(3) organization you want, whenever you want.

Legacy of giving. ACT can work with you to establish a family giving plan and involve your children, grandchildren, and other family members in your philanthropy.

Catalyst Fund

Entrepreneurial Alexandrians have many ideas for programs and initiatives that address the needs of our community. ACT offers fiscal sponsorship services to support start-up efforts and allows new ideas to get off the ground quickly and efficiently.

What Are the Benefits of a Catalyst Fund at ACT?

Catalyst Funds utilize ACT’s tax-exempt status and administrative infrastructure to incubate and launch new initiatives and projects aligned with our mission. ACT offers donation processing, expense processing, and financial reporting at a reasonable fee for the first 3-5 years of the project’s life cycle. Catalyst Funds will transition from or sunset within 3-5 years of their establishment.

Community Initiative Fund

Community change often requires collaboration among partners who bring shared vision and long-term commitment to the challenge. ACT provides a home to emergent, community-led initiatives, and coalitions addressing the complex issues faced by Alexandria.

What Are the Benefits of a Community Initiative Fund at ACT?

Community Initiative Funds utilize ACT’s tax-exempt status and administrative infrastructure to collaborative, community-led projects closely aligned with our mission and priorities. ACT offers donation processing, expense processing, and financial reporting at a reasonable fee.

Designated Fund

Establishing a Designated Fund provides you a way to give back to one or more specific organizations that have touched your life.

What Are the Benefits of a Designated Fund at ACT?

Your gift provides more than just funding – your favorite organization will benefit from ACT’s investment stewardship, freeing the nonprofit to focus on its mission. And, in the event the organization you select ceases to exist or changes in mission, the fund can be redirected so that it continues to address your charitable intent.

Agency Fund

An Agency Fund helps nonprofits handle large and complex gifts while eliminating the administrative burden of managing an investment portfolio.

What Are the Benefits of an Agency Fund at ACT?

Offering low-cost investment options and professional third-party asset oversight, these funds allow nonprofits to focus on what is truly important – their mission

Field of Interest Funds

Are you passionate about a specific cause like the arts or the environment? If so, a Field of Interest Fund may be right for you. Field of Interest Funds are dedicated to a specific issue area, like the arts. The donor works with ACT to determine the fund’s priorities and grantmaking process.

What Are the Benefits of a Field of Interest Fund at ACT?

You can take advantage of ACT’s expert knowledge of Alexandria’s nonprofit community and tap into our grantmaking expertise in support of your passion and interests.

FEE STRUCTURES

Fund fees enable ACT to provide customized service to our fundholders and support the “behind the scenes” activities required for reliable and responsive fund management and oversight. Different fund types have different fees. Please contact Tricia Ritchie at Tricia.Ritchie@actforalexandria for more information.