Great giving options. Choose the one that’s right for you.
The Community Foundation offers a number of types of Donor Established Funds, described below. Our staff are happy to help work with you to ensure your fund meets your charitable giving goals. If you are interestedDonor Advised Funds
A personal approach to giving ($10,000 minimum)
Establishing a Donor Advised Fund with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia allows you to make a tax-deductible gift to the Community Foundation, then remain actively involved in suggesting uses for your gift. You, or your established committee, can work with the Community Foundation’s professional program staff to suggest ongoing uses for the fund — targeting the issues you care about most. Grant awards are issued to charities in the name of the fund (or anonymously if you prefer). It’s a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.Learn More
Permanent Fund
Shaping the future of our region ($10,000 minimum)
The Permanent Fund is an endowment to shape our region’s future that responds to critical need, seeds innovation, and leads the community with thoughtful, effective philanthropy. It is the primary source of finding innovative solutions to complex issues, championing promising causes, and supporting our most vulnerable populations. Your contribution to The Permanent Fund creates a lasting legacy of giving to transform lives and strengthen Northern Virginia.Learn More
Field of Interest Funds
Connecting personal values to high-impact opportunities ($10,000 minimum)
By establishing a Field of Interest Fund, you can target your gift to address needs in an important area of community life. Arts. AIDS. Aging. At-risk youth. You identify your personal interest area when making your gift; our board awards grants to community organizations and programs that are making a difference in the area you select. Your gift stays flexible enough to meet community needs in your interest area — even as they change over time.Learn More
Scholarships
Investing in deserving students ($25,000 minimum)
In creating a Scholarship, you invest in your community’s future and show students you care. The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia provides the expertise to help you meet your personal goals and awards Scholarships to deserving students. Your gift can help students — from preschool to postgraduate — achieve their lifetime dreams.LEARN MORE
Memorial Funds
Honoring the memory and legacy of a loved one ($0 minimum)
Creating a Memorial Fund allows you to solidify the legacy of a loved one by supporting the causes they were passionate about. You can raise funds over time and request donations in lieu of flowers, which will be used to pour back into the community in memory of your family member or friend.Learn More
Designated Funds
Helping local organizations sustain and grow ($10,000 minimum)
Establishing a Designated Fund with the Community Foundation allows you to support the good work of a specific nonprofit organization — a senior center, museum, or virtually any nonprofit charitable organization. Because it’s given through the Community Foundation, your gift provides the organization you select not only funding, but planned giving, investment management services, and the power of endowment. Nonprofit organizations themselves can establish such a fund as an Agency Endowment to create sustainability for your organization.Learn More
Fiscal Sponsorships
Finding a home for your cause ($10,000 minimum)
Establishing a fiscal sponsorship arrangement with the Community Foundation offers a way for a cause or project to attract donors even when it is not yet recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). In essence the Community Foundation serves as the administrative "home" for your cause.Learn More
When my wife passed away in 2013, I felt a compulsion to do something to help others in a way that would honor her. We (Rachel’s mother and I) opened The Rachel Harrell Memorial Fund to benefit single mothers and their children, victims of domestic violence, abused and neglected children, child and youth development, children’s health, and other causes that help improve the lives of women and children. These were the causes that Rachel would have been (and was) particularly concerned about. In part, this is because she was a single mother herself and faced difficult times when her children were young. After her passing, we wanted to extend Rachel's reach and give her the credit. Also, having a named fund helped spur giving from those who knew and loved her.
I have enjoyed working with the Community Foundation staff. The Community Foundation’s donor advised funds offer a superior flexibility to giving, and the fund’s abilities to connect in a unique and personal way with the local community make them all the more special.
— Rod Harrell, Advisor, Rachel Harrel Memorial Fund
Ready to establish your charitable fund or have any additional questions? Complete this very simple questionnaire to provide basic information on your charitable intent, and our philanthropy team will contact you.
Questions?
Questions?
