A field of interest fund is one type of charitable fund managed by the Otsego Community Foundation. By establishing a field of interest fund with the OCF, you can target your gift to address needs in a specific area of community life that matters most to you, such as arts, environment, literacy, health, etc. You get to choose.
In August of 2020, the Quaal family established the Stephanie J. and Brian L. Quaal Mental Health Fund. “We wanted to make a difference in our community while remembering my brother and sister,” said Regan Quaal. “Both of my siblings suffered from mental illness. It’s very meaningful to have a fund in their names that offers assistance to others with similar struggles. “
“The fund is not even two years old and has already awarded grants to train counselors in parent-child interaction therapy, promote mental health through physical fitness, assistant those struggling with addiction by connecting to a community navigator, brought a nationally known speaker to present to area youth, and, most recently, to help build a behavioral health center,” said OCF executive director, Dana Bensinger. “Field of interest funds are precious community resources as they allow the donor to focus on an area they love while providing flexible funding as specific needs within the area change over time.”
Our program experts award grants to nonprofits and programs that are making a difference in the area you select. Your gift stays flexible enough to meet community needs in your interest area—even if those needs change over time.
- You identify an area of personal interest as broad or narrow as you wish.
- You make a gift to the community foundation during your lifetime or through a bequest in your will. You can give cash, appreciated stocks, real estate, or other assets.
- We set up a special fund in your name, in the name of your family or business, or in honor of any person or organization you choose. You may receive tax benefits in the year your gift is made.
- We evaluate needs and award grants in the name of the fund you establish (if you prefer, grants can be made anonymously).
- We handle all the administrative details.
- Your gift can be placed into an endowment that is invested over time. Earnings from your fund are used to make grants addressing community needs. Your gift—and all future earnings from your gift—is a permanent source of community capital, helping to do good work forever.
OTHER ADVANTAGES
Our professional program experts continually monitor changing community needs so you can be sure grants made in the name of the fund make the most impact in your field of interest and support your personal legacy of giving.
You can add new gifts of any amount to the field of interest fund you establish at any time—and so can others who share your interests in the community. Endowed gifts become a permanent community funding resource.
To learn more about field of interest funds and other charitable funds, call the OCF at 989-731-0597 or email us at info@otsegofoundation.org.