Donors may choose to create an unrestricted fund to meet the changing needs of Arkansas, a fund benefiting specific communities or causes close to their hearts or a fund which operates like a private foundation while minimizing hassles and expenses.  Whatever the choice, funds remain in the family name of the donor permanently.

Unresticted Funds:  Donors allow ARCF to respond with maximum flexibility to changing community needs and opportunities, to support innovative responses to community problems, to leverage unique charitable opportunities, and to enhance the overall quality of life in Arkansas’s cities and towns.

Advised Funds: The Foundation offers active participation in the grant process by allowing donors to recommend charitable organization to receive gifts from their funds. Some donors ask ARCF to connect their charitable interests with a need in the community, while other donors simply request processing of grant recommendations and handling of all the administrative details.

Field of Interest Funds:  Donors have the opportunity to support a broad area of need or favorite cause without having to name a particular charity.  Whether donors have a special fondness for the arts or a passion for animal welfare, ARCF identifies local organizations that make the greatest impact and meet the most pressing needs within the chosen discipline.

Scholarship Funds:  The creation of a scholarship fund is attractive to many donors and can be structured to benefit students at any education level, or for a specific institution.  A scholarship fund can also be established to honor a loved one.

Some donors choose to stay involved through advisory relationships, while others name advisory committees to assist in the selection of recipients. Either way, our staff will handle the necessary paperwork and will ensure that scholarships are distributed in an equitable manner.

Designated Endowments:  Donors identify a specific charitable organization to receive financial support from their fund.  Should that organization ever cease to exist or should its mission no longer agree with the donor’s interest, ARCF would redirect the grants to organizations with similar purposes.

Organizational Endowments:  Nonprofit organizations protect their charitable dollars for the future through Organizational Endowments.  A nonprofit, whether large or small, can better spend its time pursuing its mission and fundraising, while leaving the management and investment of the endowment to ARCF.

Supporting Organizations:   Separate legal entities with their own board of directors, investment and grantmaking processes, Supporting Organizations avoid hassles through their affiliation with the Arkansas Community Foundation, which provides administrative, financial and grantmaking support.

ARCF Founders Endowment:  This fund provides ongoing support to the Arkansas Community Foundation so that it can continue to improve the quality of life for Arkansans today and for future generations.

A number of special funds are offered, such as:

• The Giving Tree Fund is an unrestricted fund which gives the Foundation’s statewide Board the flexibility to respond to ever-changing grantmaking needs throughout Arkansas.  By contributing to this fund, donors enable the Foundation to respond to unanticipated challenges and needs.  It does not require a minimum contribution and is a practical option for some individuals.
• The Youth Initiative funds a visionary program to engage Arkansas youth in learning about and helping to support programs for children and youth, promoting interest in charitable giving among the next generation.
• Family Gift Funds teach the habit of giving, while sharing with children and grandchildren the values and joy of helping others.
• Corporate Funds offer busy corporate managers and small business owners a partnership that provides assistance in fund management and effective grantmaking.

The Arkansas Community Foundation preserves and protects donors’ investments and charitable intentions forever.  The unique power of endowments means that as donors’ gifts grow, they continue to benefit the community now and in the future.  The funds will always be recorded in the name of the donor, a legacy of personal commitment to charitable giving.

Many options exist for creating an ARCF fund.  They include outright gifts of cash, real estate, securities and personal property; bequests by will of cash or property; memorials or honorariums in tribute to a friend or loved one, or private foundation transfers to ARCF while retaining the foundation’s original name and purpose.  For those who have chosen to leave a legacy through estate or financial planned giving, ARCF founded the Diamond Society to honor and thank these special donors.    

For more information about establishing a fund with ARCF email Heather Eason at heason@arcf.org.