“The ability for one’s legacy to impact so many others is awesome”
~ Anthony S., scholarship recipient
“The ability for one’s legacy
to impact so many others
is awesome”
~ Anthony S., scholarship recipient
Build Your Legacy through the Power of Giving
The Bucks County Foundation is a tax-exempt, charitable trust created to serve the Bucks County community. BCF helps individuals who love this community and want to support it in perpetuity by establishing a named fund, leaving a bequest in a will, or supporting an agency endowment. Working with the Foundation, donors can arrange ongoing financial support for a favorite organization or general field of interest. Or gifts can be designated to meet needs across Bucks County.
As a public charity, BCF serves you, the donor, by offering you maximum tax advantages while supporting your interests. BCF is a permanent legal entity dedicated to community betterment through philanthropy. BCF is permitted to receive a wide range of gifts and can assist a donor with a variety of tax-planning, estate planning and planned giving options.
Establishing a fund within the Foundation is a simple way for you to leave a legacy and make an investment in your community’s future. All gifts to the Bucks County Foundation are tax-deductible.
SERVING WITH COMPASSION THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES
We realize that a donor’s gift may be inspired by a personal loss or tragedy. We work with the highest level of professionalism, responsiveness, and compassion in helping to carry out your wishes. As your giving partner, we are here to help make philanthropic decisions and transactions go smoothly. We’ll provide the education, guidance and support you need to feel comfortable and informed throughout the donation process.
BCF offers donors peace of mind in knowing that the intent of their charitable funds will be honored in perpetuity.
Foundation Services
A named fund enables you to channel your philanthropy in multiple directions from one source. Any individual, family business, private foundation, or organization can create a fund by making a contribution of cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, or mutual funds.
Unrestricted Funds
These funds, also called discretionary funds, provide the greatest flexibility to the Foundation in its goal of responding to the changing needs and emerging opportunities for Bucks County. These funds are used to support our grantmaking.
Donor Advised Funds
A donor advised fund is a flexible giving vehicle that offers immediate tax benefits and allows donors to support the charities of their choice on their own schedule through grant recommendations. Donors’ charitable priorities may change from year to year.
Donor Designated Funds
Donor Designated funds benefit the nonprofits you designate with an annual gift in perpetuity.
Field of Interest Funds
Field of Interest funds support areas of special concern to the donors. Donors can request the Foundation to award grants within defined spheres of interest such as the arts, education, environment, animals, or health.
Scholarship Funds
A scholarship fund helps students pursue their higher education goals. Donors can establish scholarship criteria or leave it to the discretion of the Foundation.
Agency Endowment Funds
Agency Funds are established by nonprofit organizations to provide perpetual income for their financial future. The Foundation handles all administrative and investment responsibilities, freeing the organization to pursue its charitable mission.
Fiscal Sponsorships
A community foundation fiscal sponsorship provides organizations or projects, which might not have its own nonprofit status, with financial management, administrative support, and tax-exempt status under the foundation’s umbrella, allowing them to focus on their mission-driven work.
Other types of funds available
Create a fund for your charitable intent
- Memorial Funds
- Corporate Advised Funds
- Supporting Organization Funds
- Temporary/Pass-through Funds
- Fiscal Sponsorships
- Operating Funds
- Transfer of Family/Private Foundation
PLAN TODAY – GIVE TOMORROW
Planned Giving
Legacy giving, or ‘Planned Giving’ offers a way to make a difference far beyond the measure of one lifetime. It allows you important estate and financial advantages — allowing you to give most effectively and beneficially. Donors may make planned gifts to the Bucks County Foundation through bequests, trusts, life insurance policies, and charitable gift annuities. We work with you and your advisor to create your personal legacy.
Legacy giving, or ‘Planned Giving’ offers a way to make a difference far beyond the measure of one lifetime. It allows you important estate and financial advantages — allowing you to give most effectively and beneficially. Donors may make planned gifts to the Bucks County Foundation through bequests, trusts, life insurance policies, and charitable gift annuities. We work with you and your advisor to create your personal legacy.
Getting Started
SETTING UP A FUND. The Bucks County Foundation believes that the process to establish to a fund should be straightforward for the donor. In fact, it’s one of the biggest advantages of donating to the Foundation. When you’re ready to begin, simply contact us and we’ll walk you through the following steps:
Choose When to Give
You can create a fund during your lifetime, in your estate plan or through a trust arrangement that benefits your family and favorite charities. Tax deductions are earned at the time of the gift, while grant making continues into the future.
Choose What to Give
You can start your fund with almost any kind of asset: cash, publicly traded securities, closely held stock, interests in limited partnerships, real estate, or tangible property. Gifts of long-term appreciated property earn tax deductions for their full present market value.
Choose a Name
Every grant from your fund carries its name. Many people choose to name their fund for the donor, for the donor’s family, or as a memorial to someone special. Of course, you can also remain anonymous. The Foundation will be happy to work with your or the professional advisor of your choice to develop an effective structure for your philanthropy.