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learn more about the
community foundation & endowment funds

An Endowed Fund can sound complicated.  It is actually relatively simple, and we have created a simple flow chart depicting how your donation moves from a gift to a grant or scholarship.

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how it works

1. Your donations are directed to an Endowed Fund.

 

​2.  The Endowed Fund is invested in a variety of ways and managed by local advisors.​

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3.  Gains from the investments are used to make annual distributions.

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4.  Grants and Scholarships are presented to recipients.

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It's that simple.  Your gift enters into an endowed fund that never goes away, creating a lasting legacy in our community.

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25% Tax Credit

The Community Foundation of Des Moines County is a qualified community foundation that provides access to Endow Iowa Tax Credits. Endow Iowa allows taxpayers to receive a 25% Iowa tax credit, in addition to normal federal charitable income tax deductions, for gifts made to permanent endowment funds that benefit Iowa charitable causes.

legacy & planned giving

​There are many different ways to make a gift to ensure the future of your community. Explore this section about planned giving options that take into consideration your personal circumstances and the needs of your family. Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit your community after your lifetime, you can find a charitable giving option that lets you provide for your family and support your community. 

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Beneficiary Designation (Retirement Asset)

One of the easiest ways to leave a charitable gift is to designate the Community Foundation as the beneficiary of an IRA, annuity or a retirement plan. A retirement plan is one of the best types of assets to transfer to the Community Foundation because it produces taxable income. Beneficiary proceeds directed to us are not subject to income and estate taxes. When you name the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of specific assets, you enjoy some flexibility and simplicity in giving including the ability to change the designation during your lifetime; designate all or a portion of the asset; or designate the charity as a beneficiary without the help of an attorney.

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Charitable Gift Trust

A Charitable Remainder Trust is a contractual agreement between donor(s) and the Foundation under which the donor(s) makes an irrevocable contribution of cash, securities or property to the Trust.  In exchange for the property, the Foundation agrees to provide income for a specific period (the donor(s) lifetimes or for a period not to exceed 30 years).

 

Giving through a charitable remainder trust allows you to place cash or property in a trust that pays annual income to you (or another designated beneficiary) for life. After your death, the remainder of the trust transfers to the Community Foundation and is placed in a charitable fund in your name or one that you have chosen. You receive income tax benefits the year you establish this trust.

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The Foundation may administer the trust or have a second party administer the trust. The Foundation’s legal counsel will review the proposed trust and make a recommendation to the board for approval, including the fee structure if a second party is recommended.  Such fees will be deducted from the earnings of the fund or the fund corpus, and not from the payment to the beneficiary(s).

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Bequest

A charitable gift made through an Estate Plan or ‘Last Will and Testament’ which is revocable during the donor’s life and receivable only upon the donor’s death.  A bequest can be for a specific gift, a specific asset or property, or a specific percentage of the donor(s) estate.

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Life Insurance & Life Insurance Beneficiary

These primary means by which donor(s) may give a life insurance policy:

 

1. Irrevocably assign a paid-up life insurance policy to the Foundation, naming the Foundation owner and beneficiary of the policy.

 

2. In some cases, donor(s) may irrevocably assign a whole life or a term policy to the Foundation and continue paying the annual premiums until the policy is paid-up.

 

3. Name the Foundation as primary beneficiary, but retain ownership of life insurance policy. The donor may reserve the right to revoke the beneficiary designation should family circumstances necessitate.

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Meeting Room

corporate giving

Join the Community Foundation of Des Moines County as a corporate partner to engage, lead and transform our community. They can provide expert philanthropic guidance to your business and can help you create and manage a corporate giving program that meets your needs

 

Whether your business is just beginning to consider how to give or you’re already operating a corporate foundation, the Community Foundation can help you further your philanthropic mission. 

 

Why Choose the Community Foundation for Your Charitable Giving?

  1. Giving becomes easy. Charitable giving through the Community Foundation is a seamless means of outsourcing your corporate giving program. The Community Foundation can provide expert guidance on structuring your company’s giving plan as well as behind-the-scenes fund administration support.

  2. Tax benefits. Your company will receive immediate tax benefits at the time a gift is made to the Parks Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation, even if the funds are distributed at a later date.

  3. Cost-effective and efficient. Giving becomes more organized. Your business will receive regular reports showing the charities you are supporting and the amounts given. The Community Foundation staff can assist with the multiple requests you receive for contributions.

  4. Strategic philanthropy. We can help you design and implement a philanthropic approach that meets your company’s needs and achieves your desired objectives in the community.

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Corporate Giving Options

Corporate Donor-Advised Fund – Giving through a corporate donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation allows you and your employees to remain actively involved in making grant recommendations to causes you care about whenever it is convenient. Grants can be made to local, national and international organizations.

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