ASHLAND – There is still time to take advantage of Ashland County Community Foundation’s one-time “30th Anniversary Grants.”

ACCF initially offered 30 one-time “30th Anniversary Grants” this year to mark this important milestone.

After quickly reaching the goal, and seeing the promotion’s popularity (with nearly 50 matching grants awarded), ACCF has extended this offer until Dec. 31 to help individuals, families, organizations and businesses to take the next step in their charitable giving.

Grants are awarded in the form of $5,000 matches to create a new endowment fund or donor advised fund at ACCF.

The offer is open to anyone with whom the foundation does not already have a personal, named fund relationship.

Whether you are a first-time donor or seasoned donor, ACCF invites you to consider setting up a fund and making an investment in the future of Ashland County.

 “A $5,000 boost toward creating a new fund opens up possibilities for charitably-minded people who want to make a lasting positive impact in their community, as well as, perhaps, a more attainable entry point for younger donors,” said Jim Cutright, ACCF President/CEO.

“As we enter a season of giving, consider setting up a fund in your name or a loved one’s to benefit a cause in Ashland for which you (or your loved one) are passionate.”

A range of fund types are available to meet the needs and desires of potential fund holders:

  • A Donor Advised Fund, which is like having your own personal grantmaking fund, and has a $10,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $5,000 to get the match.
  • A Community Grants Fund, where annual distributions are pooled with many other named funds, in support of our Community Grants reactive grantmaking program, which also has a $10,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $5,000 to get the match.
  • A Donor Designated Fund, which provides annual distributions in support of a nonprofit of your choice, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.
  • A Field of Interest Fund, which provides annual distributions in support of a particular area of interest you may have, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.
  • A Scholarship Fund, which provides an annual scholarship award to students in pursuit of higher education/training, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.
  • An Unrestricted Fund, which provides the foundation board and staff total flexibility to meet needs as they change in our community, and has a $15,000 minimum threshold, now only requiring $10,000 to get the match.

Nonprofit organizations without an Agency Endowment Fund at ACCF are also able to utilize this offer to begin building sustainability for their organization by creating a source of annual endowment income.

Donors may complete their fund immediately or pledge to make their contributions over a period of five years. No distributions can be made until the minimum threshold is reached and the endowment is fully-funded.

“As a community foundation, we believe that philanthropy is not just for the wealthy, but for everyone,” Cutright said.

This opportunity ends Dec. 31, so if you or someone you know is interested in setting up a fund, Cutright can be reached at 419-281-4733 or cutty@ashlandforgood.org.