Start Your Own Fund
What to Expect
This application collects all information needed to open your Donor Advised Fund with the Community Foundation or one of its affiliates (Gloucester, Mathews, or River Counties). Please review the Fund Options and our Policies. We recommend that you review all of these before proceeding with your application.
Note: To establish a Fund online, you must be at least 18 years old and make a minimum irrevocable contribution of $5,000. If you are interested in opening a Fund in person or need a consultation before proceeding, please contact us. All Fund applications are subject to verification and approval by the Community Foundation.
Step 1: Complete Your Application
You will be guided through an easy 5 step process that will take approximately 10-12 minutes to complete. Your information is saved as you proceed, so if you need to pause and come back, the form will pick up where you stopped.
Step 2: Sign Funding Agreement
A final Fund agreement will be created for your signature. We will send you the agreement electronically and you will be able to print, electronically sign, and mail the agreement back to us.
Step 3: Initiate Your Contribution
After completing the application, you will be able to initiate a contribution of at least $5,000 to open your Fund. When your application is approved, the contribution will be considered irrevocable. If for any reason the application is not approved, the initial contribution will be returned to you. Instructions for contributions.
Step 4: Contact with a Philanthropic Advisor
After signing and submitting the application, you will be contacted by one of our expert Philanthropic Advisors. They will confirm the receipt of your application, identify any questions or clarifications, and finalize your application and your final contribution details.
Step 5: Grant Requests and Recommendations
Once your Fund is active, you can make grant recommendations through the Fund Advisor Portal.