CCGF is a tax-exempt public foundation created by, and for, the people of Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh counties. Community foundations enable people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support those interests.
Community foundations help individuals, families, and businesses establish charitable funds to which they may contribute a variety of assets (cash, appreciated stock, property, art, etc.). Those assets are managed, invested, and governed by a conservative investment policy as well as adopted and ratified by the Foundation's Board of Directors. Grants are then distributed from these funds to non-profit agencies meeting the charitable goals of the donor. Donors and their families are actively involved in the selection of the non-profit agencies, but may also lean on the Foundation's expert staff to help make these decisions.
Why Work With a Community Foundation?
Community foundations have in-depth knowledge of their communities and remain alert to emergent needs in order to respond quickly and effectively. CCGF convenes groups including donors, non-profit leaders and elected officials to work together on community problem-solving. By fostering greater giving and local volunteerism, community foundations have been a tradition since 1914 -- helping bring about thoughtful, effective change.
Advantages of Giving With a Community Foundation
- Greater tax benefits, including higher deduction limits for cash and appreciated assets
- Lower startup costs, with no legal or filing expenses required to establish a fund
- Reduced administrative burden, with no need to manage annual tax filings or compliance requirements
- Professional grantmaking support, including nonprofit vetting and insight into community needs
- Lower ongoing costs, with pooled administration instead of separate legal and accounting fees
Flexible giving options, allowing donors to recommend grants while the foundation handles processing and oversight
Community Foundations vs. Private Foundations
When you want to make a difference in your community by creating a private family foundation, consider using the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation instead. It will save you time and resources.
As a general rule, smaller private foundations can use a community foundation donor advised fund instead for the reduction of substantial administrative requirements. For larger private foundations, our community foundation has a separate supporting organization that is also a more efficient and economically effective option. Our supporting organization is a 501(c)(3) charity that is classified as a public charity rather than a private foundation. This is because it "supports" a public charity such as a community foundation or other types of public charities.
By working with a community foundation, donors also have the opportunity to create an endowment fund, allowing their charitable giving to make a lasting impact over time. Gifts are invested, and the earnings are used to support community needs now and in the future, creating a permanent source of funding for local causes.
If you have questions, please reach out to us!