When you set up a fund at London Community Foundation, you become part of an amazing network of dedicated local philanthropists and caring families. We make it easy to start your own Fund and give to the causes that are important to you.
We offer several flexible fund options that can be tailored to your personal philanthropic and financial goals, while taking on the administrative and compliance burden of managing your Fund.
Starting Your Fund is Simple
Establish your fund with any amount. You can contribute a lump sum – perhaps from an inheritance or higher than expected capital gains – or build it gradually with annual gifts. Gifts can be cash, cheques, electronic transfers, or share transfers. Family, friends, and colleagues can also contribute and receive tax receipts.
Contact
Speak with a member of our Philanthropy team about your charitable interests and financial goals to determine which fund options are right for you.
Define
Once you have defined the objectives for your fund, we will work with you to create an agreement for your fund that captures your intentions and reflects your personal giving style. There is no obligation during this process, we simply want to document your wishes and help you plan.
Build
Once you are happy with your agreement and your fund, it is time to make your initial gift and activate your fund. You can create an endowment with a lump sum or build it up over time, or combine endowed and non-endowed donations. Family and friends can contribute too – all donations are tax deductible.
Grant
When your fund is ready to grant, you choose the charities you want to support, and we handle all administration and CRA reporting while ensuring your gifts reach your chosen causes effectively. Your fund will grow over time, increasing its impact each year. We’ll connect annually, and you can reach out anytime with ideas or questions.
More Information
We work closely with you to find the perfect fit.
- Donor Advised: Operates like your own private foundation, you choose which charities to support each year.
- Donor Designated: Provides reliable annual support to specific charities close to your heart.
- Community Fund: Unrestricted dollars that support our broader community granting programs directed by our volunteer Grants Committee and expert staff.
- Field of Interest: Choose a topic, issue, or cause close to your heart, and the London Community Foundation team selects grants that will make the biggest impact.
Life happens. We understand that your interests, plans, and family dynamics change over time. You can make changes to your fund, at any time, to better fit your needs.
If you are a registered charity looking to establish an endowment fund, please contact us.
Endowed gifts are invested permanently, with earnings available for granting once your fund reaches the threshold and has been invested for 12 months. Each year, you are able to grant 5% of the value of your fund’s principal, drawn from investment income. Any excess returns are reinvested, helping your fund grow year over year.
Want to start granting right away? You can make non-endowed gifts alongside your endowed contributions, to support your chosen charities while building your permanent legacy – all in one Fund. Non-endowed gifts can be immediately disbursed to your charities of choice or held until you are ready. You’ll receive one tax receipt, while giving to multiple charities
Our Operating Endowment enables us to keep our costs and fees low. Depending on the type of Fund you choose, fees range from 0% – 1.5% and are drawn from investment income.We are transparent with our reporting and proud of our financial oversight, and our audited financial statements are publicly available.