One of the things I love about working at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation is that I get to spend my days in conversation with generous people — many of whom, I’m proud to say, are my colleagues. We’re not just your philanthropic advisors. We’re donors, too! Over the past few years, members of our team have opened charitable funds, contributed to our Giving Circle Funds, or became members of the Impact Collaborative.
In fact, recently, my wife and I opened a Donor Advised Fund to organize and guide our family’s giving, so trust me when I say we’ve asked the same questions you may be asking: What feels flexible enough? What feels lasting enough? What aligns with how we want to give?
Here’s a straightforward breakdown of our most common fund types of charitable funds for individuals and families:
Donor Advised Fund (What I Chose): For my family, flexibility mattered most. A Donor Advised Fund allows you to contribute when it makes sense — cash, appreciated stock, or other assets — receive the charitable deduction in that year, and then recommend grants to nonprofits over time. It gives us one organized place for our giving and the ability to respond to emerging needs. For many donors, it’s a strong anchor fund.
Designated Fund: If there are specific organizations that have shaped your life, a Designated Fund provides ongoing, predictable support to those nonprofits. It’s steady and focused.
Field of Interest Fund: If you care about a cause — like education, the arts, or emergency assistance — but not just one organization, a Field of Interest Fund allows you to name that focus area. Our team then directs grants to the strongest organizations working in that space, adapting as needs evolve. Plus, you can be involved in selecting the recipient if you’d prefer us to host a competitive grant.
Unrestricted Fund: Some donors want to support the community’s most pressing needs, wherever they arise. An Unrestricted Fund allows the Foundation to deploy resources where they’re needed most — whether responding to emerging challenges or investing in long-term solutions. Many of our staff support unrestricted giving through the Impact Collaborative, pooling resources to strengthen our region in flexible, responsive ways.
Giving Circle Funds: Giving Circles bring people together to pool contributions and make collective grant decisions. Many of our staff belong to one of our Giving Circle Funds because they’re relational, educational, and community-centered. It’s philanthropy as shared experience.
Legacy Funds: Legacy Funds carry forward your values beyond your lifetime. They can support specific organizations, a cause, or the community’s greatest needs for generations to come. A number of my colleagues have Legacy Funds, which will be activated through their estates. You may also include legacy instructions on other types of funds, like a Donor Advised Fund, that is active now.
Many donors build a thoughtful portfolio of funds over time — perhaps a Donor Advised Fund for flexibility now that will continue on after your lifetime, a Field of Interest Fund to receive Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA, and a Giving Circle membership for community learning. There’s no perfect formula! There’s simply what fits your values, your family, your business, and your season of life.
If you’re curious, we’re always glad to share what led us to our own decisions and help you think through yours.
Your Philanthropy Team
We’re here to help you give with confidence.
