Community Foundation match program available for new named endowment fund

As Ashland County Community Foundation celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, it also reaches the milestone of having given back $30 million to the community in the form of grants, scholarships and distributions.

To mark the occasion, ACCF is offering 30 one-time 30th Anniversary Grants to encourage individuals, families, organizations and businesses to take the next step in charitable giving.

Grants will be awarded in the form of $5,000 matches to create a new endowment fund or donor advised fund at ACCF. The offer is open to anyone with whom the foundation does not already have a personal, named fund relationship.

This anniversary program underscores the community foundation’s mission to encourage thoughtful giving and effective grantmaking for the benefit of Ashland County, said Jim Cutright, ACCF president/CEO.

“As a community foundation, we believe that philanthropy is not just for the wealthy, but for everyone,” he said. “A $5,000 boost toward creating a new fund opens up possibilities for charitably-minded people who want to make a lasting positive impact in their community, as well as, perhaps, a more attainable entry point for younger donors.”

Available types of funding

To get the match, donors may choose any of the following fund types:

• A Donor Advised Fund, which is like having a personal grantmaking fund, and has a $10,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $5,000 to get the match.
• A Community Grants Fund, where annual distributions are pooled with many other named funds, in support of the Community Grants reactive grantmaking program, which also has a $10,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $5,000 to get the match.
• A Donor Designated Fund, which provides annual distributions in support of a nonprofit of choice, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.
• A Field of Interest Fund, which provides annual distributions in support of a particular area of interest of the donor, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.
• A Scholarship Fund, which provides an annual scholarship award to students in pursuit of higher education/training, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.
• An Unrestricted Fund, which provides the foundation board and staff total flexibility to meet needs as they change in the community, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.

The grants also are open to nonprofit organizations that do not yet have an Agency Endowment Fund at ACCF and who wish to begin building sustainability for their organization by creating a source of annual endowment income.

Donors may complete the fund immediately or pledge to make contributions over a period of five years. No distributions can be made until the minimum threshold is reached and the endowment is fully funded.

“If this offer is something that appeals to you, please reach out to me. I’d love to discuss it with you in greater detail,” Cutright said. “It expires June 30, 2025, or when we have reached a total of 30 new funds.”

Cutright can be reached at 419-281-4733 or cutty@ashlandforgood.org.