Permanent Guardianship of Gifts
A gift to the Foundation may establish, or be added to, an endowment fund in which only the income is distributed. The principal of each endowment gift is permanently retained to provide a continuing stream of charitable income for the future. Donors appreciate knowing that their contributions will extend beyond their lifetimes and will be carefully safeguarded to serve the community as originally intended.

Maximum Tax Deductibility
Yolo Community Foundation is classified as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This status affords donors tax deductions for income and estate tax purposes to the maximum extent permissible under current tax law.

Special Tax Benefits
Donors contributing appreciated assets to the Foundation receive the following benefits: (1) capital gains taxes will not be levied on the donated property, and (2) an income tax deduction can be taken on the full, fair market value of the gift. These advantages apply if the assets have been owned for the requisite period of time (currently for at least one year and a day).

Tax-Sheltered Growth of Funds
Contributions to charitable funds within the Foundation grow tax free. This means that donors are able to build charitable reserves in their names without incurring additional taxes.

Choice of Charitable Beneficiaries
Donors are able to realize most charitable intents by designating the organizations or the philanthropic purposes to be served by their fund. Through the Foundation, donors have the freedom to structure funds to accomplish their charitable objectives.

Economies of Scale
We strive to offer a better investment return to each participating fund within the Foundation through: (1) the pooling of assets, (2) the diversification of investments, and (3) the reduction of costs to any one fund through shared expenses.

Recognition
Funds may be established in the name of the donor, the donor’s family, a friend, a business, a charitable purpose, or another organization. Those establishing endowment funds are guaranteed perpetual recognition through publications and through the annual distributions of grants in the name of the fund. Conversely, the Foundation understands and respects a donor’s wish for anonymity and will administer such gifts accordingly.

Flexibility
The Foundation carefully adheres to the terms of all gifts entrusted to its care. If the original purposes of a fund become obsolete or incapable of fulfillment, the Foundation has the power to redirect the fund to other related purposes. That power is used sparingly and donors may rest assured that the spirit of their charitable objectives will be represented in perpetuity.

Accountability
Annual reviews through an independent audit, filing of tax returns, public disclosure of all grant activity, and careful selection of board members ensure continued use of funds in the public interest.

Foundation within a Foundation
Affiliation with the Foundation offers the advantages of a private foundation without the attendant expense and time commitment. We relieve donors of the complications of administering their own foundations by assuming full responsibility for the efficient, prudent management of each fund entrusted to our care.