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What is a Community Foundation?
A Community Foundation is a tax-exempt charity that exists to receive and manage a collection of funds that are donated by people who care about the future of that community. |
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What makes a Community Foundation different from other charities?
The Foundation allows you to designate your funds for a specific organization or project, give to the general fund to meet community needs as they arise, or a combination of the two. |
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Who can give to the SACF?
Anyone can give. The Foundation receives donations and gifts from Individuals, Businesses, Other Foundations, Estates and Corporations. Gifts both large and small are pooled together to use for offering grants to eligible community organizations. |
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Why give to another organization THROUGH the SACF?
The Stoughton Area Community Foundation is an established 501(C)3 non-profit organization with tax-exempt status, so your donations are tax-deductible. Through us, all money designated for eligible organizations goes directly to them, and the Foundation does not charge any fees for their services. Since the Foundation is now dealing with a larger pool of funds, it allows us, SACF, to apply for larger grants from other foundations to add to our growing pool for providing community grants. |
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Will the end recipient know that the donation came from me, and NOT the SACF?
Yes. Donations made to the SACF with another organization designated as the desired beneficiary are sent with a letter noting the name of the gift donor. |
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Who oversees the Foundation?
Our volunteer Board of Directors consists of eleven community members who oversee the operations of the Foundation. They are community leaders, longstanding members of the community, or those who have particular skills and/or knowledge useful in promoting, managing and protecting the assets of the Foundation. |
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Where does the money go? How does it get used?
Gifts to the Stoughton Area Community Foundation are used each year to provide grants to meet community needs. Grants are offered twice a year to eligible local charities in the areas of Education, The Arts, Children/Youth, Community Development, Health, Historic Preservation, Senior Programs and Community Wellness. |
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What is a "pass-through"?
A pass-through allows various non-profit community organizations/projects to accept tax-deductible donations through the SACF. All money designated for these organizations goes directly to them; the Foundation does not charge any fees for their services. A "pass-through" is a win-win situation where the SACF manages all of the funds and provides the legal means for other organizations to receive donations. Since the Foundation is now dealing with a larger pool of funds, it allows us, SACF, to apply for larger grants from other foundations to add to our growing pool. |
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After making a donation, am I required to file any reports or do any paperwork?
After taking your initial charitable tax deduction for your gift, you have no other reporting obligations. |
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What size gifts does the Foundation accept?
Gifts and donations of any size are accepted at any time by the Foundation and can be made in cash, stock, personal property, life insurance, IRA's and real estate. No gift is too large or too small! |
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Where Does the Money Go?
The Stoughton Area Community Foundation's main purpose is to offer grant money to area non-profit and not-for-profit organizations and projects. Notices are published in the local newspaper, offering information about the grant application process. The Foundation has an established set of criteria that must be met when offering grants for projects that will enhance the lives of the people living in the greater Stoughton area. |
