Fund Options for Donors

Orange County Community Foundation offers a wide variety of fund options tailored to each donor’s specific giving needs and preferences, providing you the opportunity to make the maximum strategic impact on the community and experience great personal satisfaction.

All fund options can be endowed or non-endowed unless otherwise specified. The principal of an endowed fund remains at OCCF forever, with gifts to charities coming from the fund’s earnings. This ensures that the community continues to benefit from a donor’s philanthropy for generations to come. A non-endowed fund allows donors to make gifts from the fund’s principal in addition to its earnings.

When you are ready to give back to the community, the Orange County Community Foundation is here to help encourage and facilitate that process. Our quick reference guide shows the various options available to you as you make this important life decision. Below is a more detailed description of the many ways the Orange County Community Foundation can work with you—no matter what charitable giving path you choose.

Donor-Advised Fund
These funds are typically established by an individual or family who wish to create a fund in their name, serve as advisors, and grant funds. Please visit our detailed fund options page for a complete listing of Donor-Advised Funds.

Private Foundation Fund
Private foundations can easily meet distribution requirements by establishing a fund that can provide an array of tailored services, according to a donor’s needs, such as research and support for grantmaking, or establishment of scholarship funds.

Supporting Organization
This special type of organization allows an individual or family to enjoy greater tax benefits without the complex set of rules and regulations that govern private foundations, such as annual excise taxes on net investment income and mandatory annual distributions.

Field-of-Interest Fund
Donors can choose to address a specific area of interest, such as arts, education or the environment.

Designated Agency Fund (endowed only)
This endowed fund benefits a specific agency. Agencies can be assured that this fund is professionally managed and held for their benefit in perpetuity.

Scholarship Fund
Donors can design a scholarship program with the help of OCCF staff and become as involved in the selection process as they desire, or ask our staff to conduct the process on their behalf.

Unrestricted Fund
The Board of Governors directs grants from these funds to address the most pressing needs in Orange County.

Custom Fund
Orange County Community Foundation staff can tailor a fund to achieve your goals. Please contact us to explore your options.  

Establishing a Fund
Donors can establish a fund using cash, securities, closely-held stock, mutual fund shares, real estate, limited partnership shares, and many other types of assets. Please refer to our giving options page for more information.