Thanks to the generosity of our community, Berks County Community Foundation now manages nearly 400 funds totaling over $140 million. Since we were founded in 1994, donors have worked with us to establish these funds to support the causes and organizations that are most important to them. Are you interested in giving back to your community? Sparking change in Berks County starts with defining your charitable goals. We can help you achieve those goals, no matter the cause or motivation. Let us help make a difference to what matters most to you.
One way to spark change is to determine how you want to support the community. What causes interest you most? We have created a short questionnaire to set your journey of generosity in motion. The questionnaire starts by asking, “What do you hope to achieve with your fund?”
Different funds fulfill different charitable goals. When you create a fund with Berks County Community Foundation, do you want grants from your fund to support:
- A variety of community needs as determined by the Community Foundation
- A specific organization (or multiple organizations)
- A cause I care about, not a specific organization
- Different nonprofits that I select each year
- Individuals seeking an education
- Individuals who excel at something
Once you’ve narrowed down your goals, it’s time to talk to us. We will work with you to draft a fund agreement which details your wishes and eligibility parameters for future grant recipients from your fund.
In this three-part series, we will explore endowment funds, sparking change, and grantmaking. At Berks County Community Foundation, we do all three. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, philanthropist, or community advocate, this series will provide insight into how strategic funding can shape a better future.
If you have questions, please email me at mollyr@bccf.org or call 610-685-2223. I look forward to hearing more about you and how you would like to spark change in our community.
Did you know that August is Make-a-Will month in the United States? While preparing a will might be a task that most dread, it is important for those left behind. A will is a document usually prepared by your attorney to ensure your final wishes are established. Preparing a will can provide peace of mind for you and for your family.
Berks County Community Foundation can help to ensure that your charitable goals are met after you’re gone. Working with the Community Foundation offers a unique and powerful way for individuals to make a lasting impact in their community by creating a charitable fund through their will.
For three decades, staff members of the Community Foundation have had the honor of meeting with individuals and families as they prepare their wills. Participating in these discussions includes learning about each person or family and the causes most important to them.
An easy and meaningful way to support those causes and organizations that align with your values and passions is by establishing a fund with the foundation. This can be done by including a provision in the will that directs a specific asset or portion of your estate to the Community Foundation, which will be used to establish a named fund in your memory or in honor of a loved one.
The process of creating a fund through a will is simple. You can work with your attorney to include language in your will that directs assets to the Community Foundation. You can also consult with our staff to determine the most appropriate type of fund for your charitable interests and goals. Once the will is executed, we will work with your executor or personal representative to establish the fund according to the instructions provided in the will.
Creating a fund at the Community Foundation through your will not only provides a way for you to make a lasting impact in your community, but also offers a range of giving options. Funds may be established to respond to the most pressing needs in the community, to support a general field of interest, or to benefit a specific organization or multiple organizations.
Knowing that you have a plan in place can provide significant peace of mind. Creating a fund ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It can also be a way for you to make a difference in the lives of others, even after you are gone.
In honor of Make-a-Will month, feel free to contact us with any questions about your estate plans by emailing give@bccf.org.
