Start a Fund - Humboldt Area Foundation

Donor Advised Funds and other Fund Types

For those who would like to start a fund, HAF+WRCF offers a variety of fund types to meet the charitable and financial goals including Donor Advised Funds, Opportunity (unrestricted) Funds, Scholarship Funds and more. The first step in establishing a new fund is to meet with our staff who will listen to your philanthropic and financial goals and help determine which fund type will best fit your needs.

If you are interested in starting a fund, please contact our Donor Relations team at donorservices@hafoundation.org or dial (707) 267-9903

Getting Started

Our staff will help guide you through the many choices you have when establishing a new charitable fund. Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions are below.

What is the first step in establishing a new fund?

The first step is to contact our Donor Relations Team at donorservices@hafoundation.org or 707-267-9903 to schedule an appointment where we will discuss your needs and goals and begin the fund set up process.

How long does it take to set up a new fund?

The process can take as little as two weeks from the first meeting to the new fund being fully set up and ready to make grants or scholarships. However the timeline is largely determined by the donor, depending on readiness to move forward, complexity of the gift, and other factors.

Is there a minimum amount required to establish a fund?

No. There is no required minimum, however we generally recommend endowed funds start at at least $10,000 to support impactful grantmaking. Donors also have the option to establish a fund with the intent to build up the balance over a period of years, rather than with a single establishing gift.

What types of funds does the Foundation offer?

Donor Advised, Scholarship, Field of Interest, Designated, Opportunity (unrestricted), Agency and Organizational Co-Investment Funds. Click here to learn more about each of these fund types.

What is the difference between an endowed and an expendable fund?

The annual amount available to spend (in the form of grants or scholarships) from an endowed fund is limited to ensure the fund will continue on in the long term. This amount is determined by the Total Spending Policy, which currently is 4.5% of the average fund balance over the previous 16 quarters. Expendable funds are not limited by the Total Spending Policy, and may grant out any amount in a given year, up to the total fund balance.

What are the fees?

The Foundation charges an administrative fee to all funds to support administration and fiscal oversight, donor services, and grantmaking processes. The fee for most funds is currently 1.75% of the fund balance. Scholarship funds are 2% due to the additional administrative work of coordinating the scholarship application, review, and award process. Agency and Organizational Co-investment Fund fees are tiered, starting at 1.5% and going down for funds with balances of $1M or more. An additional fee is charged by our professional investment advisors and is reflected in investment returns which are posted net of fees. This fee is approximately .61% but varies depending on the investment pool selected.

Planning for the Future

Many donors choose to include their fund in their estate plans by directing an additional contribution to the fund via their will or trust. Click here to learn about legacy gifts.