What is a Seed Fund?
We believe that philanthropy is for donors of all means, and that small donations can make significant positive impacts in our community. A seed fund allows donors to contribute smaller amounts of money over time to reach the $10,000 that is required to establish a named endowment fund.
How Does It Work?
A seed fund may be established with an initial tax-deductible donation of any amount. Donors may then make regular tax-deductible contributions to the fund at any time through a variety of methods: general donations, required minimum distributions, LANL payroll deductions, etc. Donors have five years to reach the $10,000 needed to establish a regular endowment fund that may be named for a special interest, cause, organization or person. Once the endowment is established, annual distributions based on our endowment spending policy will support the causes that you find meaningful.
If you are unable to reach the minimum endowment requirement within five years, your donations will still make a difference in our community by becoming a permanent part of the Los Alamos Endowment Fund to support local nonprofit organizations.
Benefits
- Contributions are allowed over five years to meet the endowment goal.
- You may model philanthropy by encouraging friends and family to give to support your fund in lieu of birthday, anniversary, or holiday gifts.
- Philanthropy can become a family affair by teaching children to give and watching the family fund grow over time.
- All donations (whether you reach your goal or not) become part of an endowment fund that will benefit the community in perpetuity!
For more information and ideas on ways to integrate your financial planning with charitable giving, ask your financial or estate advisor and contact Executive Director Liz Martineau at 505-661-4420 or director@losalamoscf.org.
To learn more about the foundation and its work in the community, contact any of LACF’s board members, advisors, or staff.