Support Options for Your Favorite Community Causes –

Immediate and Long-Term

October 2025 – Generosity CORNER – At the DeKalb County Community Foundation, we work with individuals, families, and businesses to make a difference in the causes they care about most. Many donors have a vision for the kind of community impact they want to achieve when they first establish a Fund.

If you’ve already created a Donor Advised Fund or another type of Fund at the Community Foundation—or if you’re considering doing so—you likely have a list of favorite charities or priorities in mind. We can help you achieve those goals by supporting the organizations you already value and introducing you to new opportunities that align with your interests.

Thinking About Time Horizons in Giving

An important question to consider as you plan your philanthropy is this: How long would you like your charitable dollars to be at work? The Community Foundation can help you explore this part of your giving strategy.

Here are a few key questions to help develop your charitable giving plan and Fund structure:

1. 1. Are the causes that matter most to you focused on immediate needs or long-term priorities?
   2. Would you like your children, grandchildren, or other loved ones to help guide your Fund in the future?
   3. Do you want to see the results of your giving during your lifetime, or would you prefer to create something lasting beyond it?
   4. If you’re interested in both immediate and lasting impact, what portion of your Fund would you like to see spent down versus preserved in perpetuity?

We can provide helpful resources and examples to guide your decisions, whether you prefer short-term giving, long-term legacy planning, or a combination of both.

Blending Strategies for Greater Impact

Many donors choose to combine strategies, creating a portfolio of charitable giving vehicles that address multiple goals.

For example:

• • A Donor Advised Fund to organize annual giving to favorite charities, including the use of “bunching” techniques to maximize charitable deductions.
  • A Designated Fund to provide lasting support for a specific organization, ensuring stability even in challenging times.
  • Annual gifts to the Community Foundation’s Endowment Fund to help address emerging community needs for generations to come.
  • Beneficiary designations on retirement plans or other assets that direct proceeds to both a Donor Advised Fund and the Community Foundation’s Endowment Fund.

This approach allows donors to meet immediate needs while building a legacy that supports DeKalb County far into the future.

Let’s Build Your Plan Together

At the Community Foundation, it’s all about Generosity Across Generations—supporting you in making a meaningful impact today and for years to come.

Our team is here to help you think through your favorite charities, your philanthropic values, and your goals for impact. Together, we can design a charitable giving plan that reflects your vision, whether that means making a difference right now, creating something that lasts forever, or both.

Contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org to start a conversation about building a giving plan that honors your generosity today and inspires future generations tomorrow.

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!