We work with donors, and groups of donors, to best realize your charitable values. The possibilities are as varied as your wishes.
As an ongoing philanthropic resource to the state, OCF helps donors construct permanent funds. You can create a permanent named fund with a gift or bequest of $50,000 or more. An alternative approach is to build a permanent named fund over time, using a step-up fund, starting with at least a $5,000 contribution. OCF fund options include:
Donor Advised Fund
Fund advisors actively participate in grantmaking to nonprofit organizations. You may name successor advisors, such as your children, to carry on your family's giving legacy. We can also add a donor advisory aspect to other types of funds, such as unrestricted, field of interest, or scholarship funds. This agreement can require OCF to seek advice from the donor, or other people named by the donor, on distributions made from the fund. While advice cannot be binding on the OCF board, we certainly give your wishes full and careful consideration.
Field of Interest Fund
Many donors have deeply held interests and we help you direct grants to those causes. Our donors have targeted such areas as disadvantaged children, the elderly, the performing arts and other community interests. You can also make grants focused in a specific geographic area within Oregon.
Donor Designated Fund
If you have a specific charitable organization in mind, you may name the group to receive distributions from the fund. Should that group cease to exist, or the purpose it serves becomes obsolete, the OCF Board has the responsibility and authority to re-apply the distributions to a similar charitable organization.
Discretionary Fund
For donors wanting to make a broad impact and address prevailing needs, you can establish a fund that benefits our overall charitable mission. OCF makes grants from these funds to nonprofit organizations providing educational, health, human, and cultural services to Oregonians.
Endowment Partners Fund
When a charitable organization seeks to transfer all or a part of its endowment to the Oregon Community Foundation investment program, we simplify the process. In this collaborative arrangement, we assist and counsel endowment partners in securing major current or deferred gifts. We also invite our partners to annual endowment building workshops that are designed for both development staff and board members.
Pooled Funds
Administrative Fund
You can contribute gifts of any size to OCF’s Administrative Fund. The Administrative Fund enables us to promote, develop and increase philanthropy in every corner of Oregon.
Oregon Fund
You can also contribute gifts of any size to OCF's Oregon Fund. Our general charitable purpose fund makes grants throughout the state.
Oregon Scholarship Fund
If you are not ready to create your own scholarship fund, you may contribute to the Oregon Scholarship Fund. This fund awards more than 100 scholarships statewide each year to Oregon students attending Oregon colleges who demonstrate significant financial need, academic promise, and strong character. Volunteers from around the state review the applications and develop scholarship recommendations.