Designated endowments allow a donor to provide ongoing financial support to one or more of their favorite nonprofits. This endowment option offers an excellent solution for donors who wish to provide a long-term continual benefit to one or more charitable organizations, but who prefer not to give the entire amount directly to the charity at once.

What is an endowment?

An endowment is a permanent fund designed to grow over time, returning an ever-increasing amount to the organization as a growing and reliable source of additional income each year. The bulk of the fund remains invested, and only a portion is ever distributed.

NCCF invests designated funds so that a sustainable portion of the fund’s balance (typically around 5 percent) can be paid to continually support the operations of the named charity or charities.

As a donor, you might wish to consider creating a designated fund if:

• You or your family have been touched by a particular organization
• You know which organization you want to support but wish to turn over the annual grantmaking responsibility to a third party
• You wish to benefit many different nonprofits in an organized and efficient way
• Your chosen charity lacks the size, experience or expertise to administer a sizeable fund
• You want your preferred charity to benefit from the professional services of the NCCF

How can you begin a designated endowment? 

A minimum gift of $25,000 and a simple legal agreement are the first steps. After the initial gift is made, additional gifts may be made in any amount, at any time. At the time the fund is established, NCCF will obtain a resolution from the charity’s board agreeing to the establishment of the fund.