Types of Funds

Each donor that approaches the Grand Rapids Community Foundation is unique. We embrace the philanthropic goals of our donors and are pleased to offer these types funds to help meet your needs and desired outcomes.

Named Fund for the Community Good

This type of fund allows you to use the full resources of our professional grantmaking staff to direct grants to areas where they will do the most good in our community, now and in the future. As community needs change, so will the programs that your fund supports.

Field of Interest Fund

Again, your fund will benefit from the full resources of our grantmaking staff but you provide an area of interest to focus their efforts. Grants from your fund will be used to benefit causes you care about such as the arts, children and youth, or the environment.

Donor Advised Fund

These funds are started by an individual, family or business. Much like private foundations, advised funds allow you to direct grantmaking to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit while relieving you of the administrative burdens of running a private foundation.

Check out our Donor Advised Fund Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here.

Scholarship Fund

With this fund, you will help set the scholarship criteria and the Community Foundation's staff will manage the program on your behalf. Each year, a volunteer committee reviews applications for the scholarship and selects the most worthy student recipient(s). If you choose, you can be part of the selection process.

Nonprofit Fund

This type of fund can be established by an individual, family, business or a nonprofit itself. It provides permanent endowment support for the organization. Each year, a grant from the fund can be distributed to the nonprofit or retained for a future larger disbursement, according to the organization's needs.