Community Foundation of Nova Scotia For Donors / Fund Options

Fund Options

Setting up a fund is simple. We offer different types of Funds to match a donor’s personal, financial and philanthropic goals. We encourage the use of endowment funds as they are permanent and provide for both a lasting legacy and organizational sustainability. However, other, shorter term fund options are available. Please read below for more information.

With a minimum donation of $25,000 over a period of two years, a fund can be established on your behalf, which may be named after yourself, a family or family member, a company or a valued friend. Funds may also be named for a particular community or region in Nova Scotia, or for a particular purpose, cause or project.

The following are the most common types of funds for donors to choose from:

Donor Advised Funds
Under this option, donors take a very active role in selecting the charities to be supported each year. Donors provide annual advice and recommendations to the Foundation about which charitable programs they wish to have their fund support. Indeed, a Donor Advised Fund offers much of the flexibility of a private foundation, with less cost and administrative work for the donor.

Donor Designated Funds
Under this option, donors designate exactly which charity or charities will benefit from their generosity. Donors may support one or more charities year over year while providing alternate directions in case the chosen charity or charities cease to exist or cease to carry on the charitable activities the donor wishes to support. Designated Funds are particularly appropriate for donors who would like to direct their philanthropy on an ongoing or permanent basis.

Discretionary Funds

Field of interest funds (e.g., Environment, Education, Seniors or Youth)
Nova Scotia Fund

Many donors prefer to leave the distribution of the income generated from their donations to the discretion of the Board of the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia. These grants are primarily distributed through a competitive application process vetted through a volunteer Grants Committee and approved by the Board.

Scholarship, Bursary and Award Funds
Donors are able to assist students attending a variety of educational opportunities in a number of ways. They may be designated, discretionary or donor advised.

You can name the fund after your favourite charity that you wish to support (e.g., The Boys and Girls Club of My-town Fund).
You can name it after your family to develop and encourage philanthropy in the family (e.g., My Family Name Fund).
You may wish to honour a special person (e.g., the Name-of-Person Memorial Fund).
You may wish to create a memorial to someone special (e.g., the Name -of-Person Memorial Fund).
You can then encourage friends to give to your fund in lieu of gifts for special occasions.

Named Funds
A named fund can be a donor advised, donor designated or discretionary fund. It creates a legacy that will continue to provide support for a charitable cause in Nova Scotia now and forever.

Other Funds

The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia strives to be flexible and accessible, creating a number of different fund options to meet the specific needs of the donor and the community. Flow through funding is also available to support projects with short-term cash flow needs. Please contact us to discuss this option further.

You may also wish to transfer an existing Private or Family Foundation to the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia it is cost effective and can ease your workload. Your public recognition can be as much or as little as you like and you can take advantage of our professional investment management, donor administration and grant making expertise.

Community Foundation of Nova Scotia
1888 Brunswick Street, Suite 806
Halifax, NS B3J 3J8

Tel. 1-877-999-5907 or 902-490-5907

Fax 902 490-5917