PrivateFoundationServices

Maximize Your Impact

Creating a private foundation is an individual's or family’s public affirmation of their giving spirit and commitment to their philanthropic passions.

However, many individuals establish private foundations only later to discover that the process of managing the foundation is not as simple as it once seemed and becomes a burden to maintain. It takes a lot of time, energy and resources. Stark Community Foundation offers several personalized services to address these concerns, and we work with donors and their advisors to determine which option is best.

Option 1: Administrative Services

If your private foundation needs specific services – strategy, grantmaking or support – Stark Community Foundation can easily assist you. Our knowledgeable and experienced staff can help guide your foundation’s trustees as they decide which organizations and programs to support. We can also share the pressing issues facing our community and organizations working strategically to meet those needs.

Some of our services include:

• Personal consultations on which local nonprofits are making a difference in the areas you care most about
• Complete tracking of grantmaking, from distributing and reviewing applications to collecting progress reports
• Coordination of site visits to potential, current or former grantees

Option 2: Supplement a Private Foundation's Work with a Donor Advised Fund 

Many private foundation trustees have difficulty meeting the annual 5% payout requirement, resulting in grants being made out of necessity. Since Stark Community Foundation is a public charity, we can assist by accepting contributions from a private foundation’s annual payout into a Donor Advised Fund. This option gives you more time to research the charities you want to support and the flexibility to give when the time is right for you.

Some of our offerings include:

• Research on your favorite causes and assistance with philanthropic strategy
• Strategic investment management as part of our more than $380 million diversified portfolio
• Quarterly financial statements and 24/7 access to our Donor Portal, a secure online fund management system

Option 3: Transition a Private Foundation to a Fund 

Transitioning your private foundation to a Donor Advised Fund or Supporting Foundation at Stark Community Foundation will alleviate administrative burdens and increase your philanthropic impact. No matter which option you choose, the new fund can maintain the same level of personalization as your foundation — name, identity, goals and vision. You can continue giving generously without the burdensome administrative costs, IRS requirements and excise tax payments associated with a private foundation.

Some of the benefits include:

• Not being bound by the annual 5% minimum payout requirement
• Eliminating annual excise tax on investment income
• Maintain control of your grantmaking

Option 4: Partnership for Private Foundations

While Stark Community Foundation offers alternatives to private foundations, we also regularly convene a group of local funders through our Partnership for Private Foundations to discuss an array of community needs and opportunities and share how we can work together to maximize our philanthropic impact.

Together, area foundations leverage their efforts to engage in local issues and collectively create lasting change in the community. As a member of our Partnership for Private Foundations, you will:

• Connect with local foundations at least twice a year
• Explore community needs and trends through community conversations
• Attend other educational events and seminars
• Access best-in-class philanthropic resources
• Learn about potential funding opportunities
• Discover tips and strategies for effective grantmaking through publications and emails

No matter what challenge you are currently facing, please know Stark Community Foundation is here to assist your foundation in a way that makes sense for you.

If you are interested in learning more about our personalized private foundation services, contact Bridgette L. Neisel, vice president of advancement, at 330-454-7992 or bneisel@starkcf.org.