Planned giving does not require a large income or vast estate, but only a thoughtful intention to make a difference in your community. Many of our legacy donors have created bequests, charitable trusts, or gifts of life insurance to the Foundation, and we’d be happy to help you navigate that process alongside your professional advisor.
Leaving a legacy and becoming a member of our Hitchings Legacy Society can be as simple as informing Triangle Community Foundation of your intention to make a gift.
If you are interested in making a legacy gift or if you have already promised a legacy gift to the Foundation through your estate planning, please contact Carla Abramczyk to discuss how we can assist with your philanthropic values and goals.
The How and Why of Endowment
An Endowed Fund is a permanent fund. The assets are managed with the goal of preserving and growing the principal in perpetuity. Only the “spendable amount” is available for distribution each year toward the charitable goals of the donor. The spendable amount is a percentage calculated against the fund’s average balance. Our Board of Directors sets the spending rate or percentage for the Foundation’s endowed funds; currently, the spending rate is 4.0% on all endowed funds.
Donors should choose an endowed fund only if they wish to preserve the principal of the fund for future generations to enjoy or benefit from. A minimum gift and fund balance of $50,000 is required to establish an endowed fund at the Foundation.
Alternatively, a non-endowed fund is not a permanent fund. The full balance of the fund – principal and income – are available for distribution each year toward the charitable goals of the donor. Non-endowed funds allow the donor maximum flexibility in the amount of grant distributions from the fund. A minimum gift and fund balance of $10,000 is required to establish a non-endowed fund at the Foundation.