Support the Causes that Matter Most 

The Cleveland Foundation offers a variety of fund options to help you meet your philanthropic goals and respond immediately to community needs.

Cleveland Foundation Fund Type Comparison

TYPE OF FUND WHAT IT IS ADVISOR MINIMUM AMOUNT TO ESTABLISH
NAMED FIELD­-OF-INTEREST FUND

A permanent fund that names a specific area of interest, such as education or the arts, as the recipient of grants from the fund.

The donor relies on the Cleveland Foundation to distribute money from the fund to institutions within that area of interest.

$10,000 for testamentary gifts;

$100,000 for inter vivos gifts

NAMED DESIGNATED FUND

A permanent fund that names a specific charitable institution as its beneficiary. Designated funds are a great vehicle for supporting students with higher education attainment and honoring alma maters.

The donor has indicated the beneficiary in the fund agreement.

$10,000 for testamentary gifts;

$100,000 for inter vivos gifts

DONOR-­ADVISED FUND

A fund offering the ability for donors to make suggestions on which charitable causes are supported from the fund each year.

Donors are permitted to make grant recommendations. This right may also be extended to children of the donor.

$10,000

ORGANIZATIONAL FUND

A fund providing stable, predictable sources of income and future financial security to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The organization specifies representatives who are permitted to request distributions from the fund in accordance with the provisions of the fund agreement.

$100,000

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION

An alternative to a private foundation that has its own board of trustees and grantmaking identities, but enjoys public charity status.

The board of directors of the supporting organization makes its own grantmaking decisions.

$5,000,000