Steps to Starting a Fund
The decision to start an affiliated fund typically happens for two reasons: A donor has announced an intention to make a gift of cash or a planned gift; or, local leaders realize that their hometown needs a community foundation fund.
This illustration describes a sequence of steps to follow during the first year. The steps represent work that must be done by affiliated fund leaders. The banister represents NCF support and points at which NCF staff can provide on-site assistance.
| Step 1: | Host an Informational Meeting A local leader organizes the initial informational meeting. Fellow community volunteers are invited to meet with a development staff member from the Nebraska Community Foundation. NCF staff educates citizens regarding the benefits and process of starting a community or organizational affiliated fund. Projects/Flow-Through Accounts Many affiliated funds are created to accomplish a particular project. Often a “brick and mortar” project like building or remodeling a library, community center, swimming pool, playground equipment, etc. Endowments The most successful Fund Advisory Committees decide early in the process to start building a permanent endowment. |
| Step 2: | Recruit Group of Core Leaders The outcome of the initial meeting is usually an agreement to recruit other interested citizens and meet again. Decision to affiliate usually takes 2-3 meetings and several phone calls/e-mails with NCF staff. A core leadership of 5-7 people is recruited to serve as the initial Fund Advisory Committee. |
| Step 3: | Raise $500 for NCF Start-up Fee Money has to be raised to pay NCF’s $500 start-up fee. Often the group decides to raise the $400 annual maintenance fee at the same time. Many times, local leaders get out their checkbooks and are the first donors to contribute to the cause. |
| Step 4: | Submit Affiliation Documents Core leaders sign the NCF documents and submit to the NCF office along with a payment of $500. |
| Step 5: | Organize Fund Advisory Committee
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| Step 6: | Promote and Market
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| Step 7: | Make Personal Fundraising Contacts
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Other Resources
Once your affiliated fund agreement has been signed you will be given login information to access the “member only” section of this Web site. The “Tools, Techniques and Forms” section of this site has numerous resources to help you every step of the way.
More Information
If you would like to speak with one of our development staff members please contact us at our Lincoln office.
We look forward to helping you develop your new affiliated fund!
Aiming High
In April 2010, the Shickley Community Foundation Fund announced its semi-annual grant awards. The Fund provided nearly $7,000 to 10 area nonprofits. What makes this last round of grantmaking special in this town of about 350 people is that the Fund has now surpassed the $100,000 mark in community reinvestment, the majority of that occurring in the last 10 years. Most of those grants have been made from earnings on the Fund’s endowment account.
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