The first step in gift planning is to select the type of fund that best meets your needs in order for you to receive the greatest income and tax benefits and create the maximum impact with your gift. You may establish a new fund at the Maine Community Foundation or give to an existing fund. Below are descriptions of the types of funds available for individuals and families. All funds can memorialize an individual or family. (MaineCF also manages endowment funds for nonprofits.) For more information about how these funds are used to make grants, see the Grants section.

Advised Fund
A donor advised fund allows you to maintain active involvement in the distribution of your gifts. When you establish a donor advised fund with the Maine Community Foundation, you reserve the right to make grant recommendations to support charitable organizations and activities that interest you. The advised fund is especially useful if you want to take a charitable deduction one year and make distributions over several years, or if you wish to involve family members in your ongoing charitable giving.

County Fund
Each county in the foundation's County Program has a permanent fund restricted to grant making in that county. Established by individuals, businesses and foundations, each permanent fund is a source of charitable capital that will strengthen the communities in that county for generations to come.

Discretionary Fund
These funds give the foundation grantmaking discretion to strengthen nonprofit organizations and address unforeseen needs, emergencies and challenges that arise. These funds enable the foundation to respond to applications from nonprofit organizations, emergency needs and changing community priorities. We use these funds to address projects that will have the greatest impact, now and in the future. ( Recent Grants)

Designated Fund
One or more nonprofit organizations or public agencies identified by you can benefit through a designated fund. Your designation will be honored through the years.

Field of Interest Fund
A field of interest fund supports organizations in a general area of charitable interest. They include funds that support health, social services, the arts, environment, education or a geographical area. These funds give the foundation grantmaking discretion within the specified area of interest. Click here to find descriptions of some of the field of interest funds at the Maine Community Foundation.

Nonprofit Endowment
Establishing an endowment fund at the Maine Community Foundation helps nonprofit organizations stabilize and secure the future of their services. These funds ensure that bequests or gifts benefit one specific nonprofit organization. The Maine Community Foundation's staff is available to help organizations build these endowments by offering expert advice to boards, staff and potential supporters.

Scholarship Fund
This fund can support a wide variety of educational needs and honor a family member, educational leader or friend. Scholarship funds range from those that support graduates of specific high schools to statewide programs for special groups such as Vietnam Veterans.

Supporting Organization
This is an attractive alternative to funding a private foundation because it offers superior tax benefits. While the Maine Community Foundation appoints most of the Board members, the donor can serve and appoint others, name the fund, propose grants and review requests.