It’s a Pleasure to Give—We Just Make It Easier

June 2025 – Generosity CORNER – As individuals, families, and businesses become more involved in charitable giving, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the numerous options for supporting favorite charities. Additionally, it can be challenging to determine what truly makes a difference.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation is here to help make charitable giving easy, flexible, and effective. Our team loves hearing comments that often reflect pleasant surprises when people get started working with the Community Foundation to make a difference in our region’s quality of life.

It’s what we do!

The Community Foundation makes charitable giving straightforward and impactful for donors by providing guidance, streamlined processes, and a high level of flexibility.

1. Start Simply, Give Meaningfully
   Setting up a Fund is simple and done at the pace of the donor.

2. Real People, Trusted Guidance
   Real people, real answers—we are here to help every step of the way.

3. United for Local Good
   Join a community of donors making a collective impact throughout DeKalb County.

We Handle the Details:

One of the most significant ways we simplify the giving process is by handling all administrative and tax-related details. For example, when you make a single contribution of appreciated stock to a Donor Advised Fund to support all your annual giving, you receive a single tax receipt for the gift, regardless of how many grants are made from that Fund to various nonprofits throughout the year. This eliminates the need for multiple receipts, simplifying tax reporting and making it easier for you to document deductions and keep your records organized. Additionally, we provide written acknowledgments for gifts and handle all necessary IRS documentation, further reducing the administrative burden on you and your family. 

Gift Acceptance:

Another key advantage is the Community Foundation’s ability to accept a wide range of assets as charitable gifts, including not only cash or marketable securities but also complex assets such as real estate, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and even agricultural assets. This flexibility helps ensure that you can support your favorite causes in the most tax-efficient way possible.

Ready When You Are:

Whether you are considering a new Fund, planning a legacy, or simply seeking advice on maximizing the impact of your philanthropy, the DeKalb County Community Foundation provides ongoing support and local knowledge. We simplify the legwork so you can focus on the joy and meaning of giving, as well as the positive difference you’re making in the lives of others.

We’re here to help! Please feel free to reach out to Executive Director Dan Templin if you’d like to talk about the best options to meet your charitable goals. 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

Philanthropy comes in many forms, and every act of generosity makes a difference. In these Generosity CORNER articles, we’ll share ideas for giving, smart strategies for maximizing your charitable impact, and tips on tax-wise giving, legacy planning, and family philanthropy. Whether you’re a charitable estate planning advisor, a longtime donor, or just beginning your giving journey, this space is for you. Inform and inspire!

Together, we can make a lasting difference—one generous act at a time!