• You make a gift to the Topeka Community Foundation — you can give cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or other assets.

• You sign a simple letter of direction, which establishes the fund, and choose a name for the fund. It may bear your name, the name of your family, the name of another person, or be a reflection of something that is important to you.

• You receive tax benefits in the year your gift is made.

• You recommend grants to support the causes and organizations you care about most, within and outside Topeka and Shawnee County.

• Your suggestions are presented to our board of trustees for approval.

• We handle all the administrative details and distribute grants to charities in the name of the fund you establish (if you prefer, grants can be made anonymously).

• An excellent alternative to starting a private or family foundation

• Gifts can be made when it is most convenient to the donor

• Donors may advise on the use of the gift

• Grant recommendations can be made at any time to public charities

• A variety of assets are accepted

• Donors receive maximum tax advantages under federal law

• Donors may recommend the investment advisor to fund

• Distributions to any organization if not for a charitable purpose

• Grants to individuals

• Grants that directly benefit the donor

• Legally enforceable pledges to organizations

• Payment or reimbursement of expenses

• Personal delivery of payment to grantees

• Maintaining or accepting receipt of holdings in a "business enterprise" to extent that such holdings constitute a violation of the "excess business holdings rule" of the IRS