Overview of Funds

Donors to the Lincoln Community Foundation may direct their gifts to several different types of funds.

Lincoln Forever Fund

This is the Foundation’s primary unrestricted endowment fund. It helps meet the needs and future opportunities of the non-profit organizations throughout our community. Memorial and Honorarium gifts to the Lincoln Community Foundation also support this fund.

Lincoln Community Foundation Endowments

You may contribute to funds that help sustain the work of the Lincoln Community Foundation:

  • Lincoln Community Foundation Fund
  • Lincoln Community Foundation Building Fund
  • Foundation Garden Fund

Donor Named Funds

You may establish a fund in your family name or in honor of a loved one to support the charities and causes you care about. Your instructions and intent will be documented in a Fund Agreement prepared by the Foundation.

  • Donor Advised Funds – You or your family members remain actively involved by making grant recommendations for your selected causes or charities. Advised funds are an attractive alternative to a family foundation and can be used like a “Charitable Checkbook” to simplify giving and recordkeeping, and to plan the timing of tax deductions. View a comparison of a Donor Advised Fund and a Private Foundation.  Additional information on Donor Advised Funds is covered under Charitable Checkbook.
     
  • Donor Specified Funds – These funds are managed by the Lincoln Community Foundation once you establish the direction and intent of your charitable gifts in your Fund Agreement:
    • Unrestricted - These endowments support the ever-changing and pressing needs of the Lincoln community with an unrestricted gift.
    • Field of Interest - Donors specify an area for their gift to benefit such as arts and culture, children and youth, basic needs, family issues, environmental enhancement, human diversity, older adults, capital improvements, and military support.
    • Designated – Donors create an endowed fund to benefit one or more specific nonprofit organizations.
    • Scholarship – Donors create a scholarship fund to benefit students graduating from a Lincoln area high school.