Why Work with the Lake County Community Foundation?

Our expert staff and informed advisors make charitable giving easy, effective and hassle-free. Other great reasons to work with the Foundation:

Simplicity

Depending on your charitable goals, you may establish a fund in one meeting with Foundation professionals. We take care of the paperwork, the research and the administration of your fund.

Greater Impact

The Foundation understands Lake County's unique needs and is familiar with the charitable organizations serving our area. With help from our experts, your charitable gifts will go farther and have a greater impact on the community than if you had to do all the legwork yourself.

Increased Tax Benefits

The Foundation is a public charity. Your contributions receive maximum tax advantages for income, estate and gift tax purposes. In many cases, the tax advantages of giving through the Foundation are higher than you could receive by setting up a private foundation or writing a check directly to a different charity.

Flexibility

We offer a variety of giving vehicles to meet your needs and interests and can even tailor a giving program for you using one or a combination of them. You may contribute all kinds of assets, including appreciated stock and property.

Objectivity

We're interested in facilitating giving and want to ensure that you support the causes and organizations you want to support.

Professional Management

Leading financial institutions provide the Foundation with prudent and cost-effective investment management. These investments are monitored by the Board of Advisors of The Lake County Community Foundation.

Recognition or Anonymity

You may establish a fund in your name and determine its purpose. Or, we can arrange for your charitable gifts to remain anonymous. It's your choice.

Large or Small Gifts

You may establish a donor advised fund with an opening balance of $10,000. Donors with $3 million or more in charitable assets may start a supporting organization as an alternative to a private foundation. If you have $500 or $1,000 to give, you can make a difference by contributing to the Foundation's unrestricted endowment.

Community

When you partner with the Foundation, you join a community of like-minded individuals who are concerned about the well being of all residents in the county. Educational forums sponsored by the Foundation and The Chicago Community Trust allow you to meet other concerned and charitably minded residents.