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Start a Fund

As a single source of information about the needs of the community, we know which organizations can most effectively meet those needs, and where charitable contributions can have the greatest impact–while also being the most tax advantageous. We provide personalized service unique to a community foundation, as well as benefits that are typically found at commercial gift funds such as a diverse investment portfolio and low investment fees.

We look forward to discussing your goals and creating a plan that aligns with your charitable objectives and financial situation. We encourage you to include your legal and/or financial advisors in the conversation so your decisions about the fund integrate seamlessly with your financial and estate plans.

Fund Types

Donor-advised funds are a tax-advantaged, convenient way to organize your philanthropy, a great solution for:

  • Families looking for a way to engage multiple generations in giving
  • Securing a charitable deduction when you have a taxable event
  • People looking to keep their giving anonymous
  • People looking for informed and trusted guidance and advice to help direct their giving
  • People looking to have a greater impact in MetroWest
  • People looking to create an endowed fund to support the region for generations to come

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A Corporate Donor Advised Fund operates much like a corporate foundation but without the need to create a new corporate entity. By partnering with us, you can draw upon years of Board and Staff experience. We are qualified to help you match your company’s interests with the community’s needs and opportunities.

As a Corporate-Donor Advised Fundholder, you can:

  • Engage your employees in issues that they care about
  • Direct nonprofit grant-seekers to the Foundation
  • Maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving
  • Reduce administrative overhead associated with corporate social responsibility initiatives

The minimum gift to establish a named Corporate Donor-Advised Fund is $50,000.

Have questions? Contact Lee Gagen.

With a designated fund you can name one or more specific organizations or agencies to benefit from the fund. Your gift is invested for long-term growth and provides support to the organization(s) you choose. You may wish to permanently endow your fund so that the fund will provide perpetual support and your designation will be honored through the years. This is easy to set up, with a minimum opening gift of $10,000.

Have questions? Contact Mary Crowley.

A Field of Interest Fund gives you the opportunity to target your contribution to one or more fields of interest that you care most about, such as homelessness, or animal welfare, or within a specific geographic area. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff will identify, evaluate, and award grants to the most qualified and deserving organizations and programs in your area of interest. This is easy to set up with a minimum opening gift of $10,000.

Or, you can also contribute to the Foundation’s Giving area funds.

Have questions? Contact Mary Crowley.

Our grantmaking in MetroWest is funded primarily through our Giving Area Funds. The Foundation manages a competitive grantmaking process, distributing grants to nonprofit organizations that are addressing the most important issues in the region. The areas currently funded through our unrestricted Giving Area Funds include Arts & Culture, Environment, Human Services, Hunger Relief, and Youth Development. The flexibility of Giving Area Funds enables the Foundation to respond to the community’s most pressing needs for today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Have questions? Contact Lee Gagen.

A Scholarship Fund allows you to help deserving students further their education. You can designate any level of education from preschool to postgraduate work, as well as a field of study and eligibility requirements. The minimum gift to establish a scholarship fund is $10,000.

Have questions? Contact Mary Crowley.

Town Funds are established by local residents as a way to build a permanent endowment to strengthen their community.

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Unrestricted funds are permanently endowed. They rely on the Foundation’s knowledge to direct support to critical unmet needs in MetroWest, now and forever. The minimum gift to establish a named unrestricted fund is $10,000.

Have questions? Contact Mary Crowley.

A nonprofit organization can work with us to establish a permanent source of funding to support its mission. The earnings from the endowment provide a steady stream of income while the principal is never invaded. We manage the administration and can help the nonprofit develop planned giving programs to grow the fund. The minimum gift to establish an agency endowment is $10,000.

Have questions? Contact Mary Crowley.

A legacy gift is a charitable vision that serves as a permanent force for good for generations to come.

The MetroWest Legacy Society was established to recognize and honor those individuals during their lifetimes that have chosen to make an investment in the future of our communities through the Foundation for MetroWest. Members of our Legacy Society can rest assured that their original intent will be honored in perpetuity, keeping their name and fund protected and relevant to the issues and communities they support.

Becoming a MetroWest Legacy Society member is easy. All we ask for is a statement of intent to leave a gift to the Foundation through a bequest, life insurance, or another planned gift option. Your membership can be anonymous if desired.