How to start a fund
Create a meaningful philanthropic legacy for you and your family start a fund
Calgary Foundation pays for service and investment management fees by recovering costs from all our Funds.
The recovery of costs is calculated and charged monthly on the prior month’s ending market value. Policies regarding cost recovery are subject to ongoing review and change by The Foundation’s Board of Directors.
NOTE: Permanent Endowment Funds are Funds wherein CF retains all capital contributions in perpetuity.The President has the authority to allow a Fund to be created with less than the fund minimum provided the donor has a plan in place to grow the Fund to the required minimum.
Types of Funds
Creating a Fund at the Calgary Foundation helps philanthropists, and their families, achieve their charitable goals.
While most Funds at the Calgary Foundation are endowed, it is also possible to create non-endowed funds to allow for more immediate giving.
Donors place no restrictions on the use of the contributions and entrust Calgary Foundation with the task of identifying community priorities and the charitable organizations best able to meet them.
Donors can direct their charitable giving to a general area of interest. Calgary Foundation makes grants to the charitable organizations best able to meet needs in the chosen field.
Donors are actively involved in recommending support for organizations and causes that matter to them. Family succession is extended to two consecutive generations beyond Founding Donors.
When exploring structures that support your strategic giving options, it is helpful to be aware of the similarities and differences between various providers. In addition to start-up costs and administrative requirements, tax reporting and resource needs, Calgary Foundation can educate you about leading community issues, and help you navigate complex issues like multi generational giving. Read our ‘Comparing Your Options‘ guideline.
Established to support specific charitable organizations. If a designated organization merges or ceases to exist, the annual distributions are redirected to the successor entity, failing which to an organization with a similar mission.
Donors can establish a Fund to receive a bequest left in their Will(s) to Calgary Foundation. Direction provided may be amended by the Founding Donors during their lifetime.
Created by donors to commemorate a person, family or important event. Initially, these Funds are deemed ‘Donor Advised Flow Through’ until the family’s readiness to confirm direction and structure after which the relevant documentation is formalized.
Designated Student Award Fund
Donors establish a Fund designated to a specific educational institution that selects deserving individuals pursuing education or training.
Donor Advised Student Award Fund
Calgary Foundation administers the Fund by creating and distributing applications and disbursing funds to the institution the selected recipient is attending.
Cost Recovery Structure
Permanent Endowments – $10,000 Minimum
Annual Cost Recovery % Applied to Each Tier
- 1st tier: 1.25% up to $1 million
- 2nd tier: 1.00% on the next $5 million
- 3rd tier: 0.90% on the next $14 million
- 4th tier: 0.80% on the next $30 million
Flow-Through (Non-Endowed) Funds – $10,000 Minimum
- 1.00% of the total gift amount up to and including $1 million OR
- 0.75% of the total gift amount if over $1 million and up to and including $10 million OR
- 0.50% of the total gift amount if over $10 million
- AND income and realized gains, net of realized losses, earned on the fund balance
Charitable Organization Permanent Endowment Funds – $10,000 Minimum
Annual Cost Recovery % Applied to Each Tier
- 1st tier: 1.25% up to $1 million
- 2nd tier: 1.00% on the next $5 million
- 3rd tier: 0.90% on the next $14 million
- 4th tier: 0.80% on the next $30 million
Charitable Organization Funds Administered for Others – $250,000 Minimum
Annual Cost Recovery % Applied to Each Tier
- 1st tier: 1.50% up to $1 million
- 2nd tier: 1.25% on the next $5 million
- 3rd tier: 1.05% on the next $14 million
- 4th tier: 0.85% on the next $30 million
- For Cost Recovery beyond these tiers please contact Vice-President, Donor Engagement.
NOTE: Funds Administered For Others are Funds owned by other Charitable Organizations and pooled with Foundation assets for investment purposes.
Student Award Donor Advised Permanent Endowment Fund – $25,000 Minimum
Annual Cost Recovery % Applied to Each Tier
- 1st tier: 1.25% up to $1 million
- 2nd tier: 1.00% on the next $5 million
- 3rd tier: 0.90% on the next $14 million
- 4th tier: 0.80% on the next $30 million
Term Funds – $100,000 Minimum
Annual Cost Recovery % Applied to Each Tier
- 1st tier: 1.50% up to $1 million
- 2nd tier: 1.25% on the next $5 million
- 3rd tier: 1.15% on the next $14 million
- 4th tier: 1.05% on the next $30 million
For Cost Recovery beyond these tiers please contact Vice-President, Donor Engagement.
Have questions about starting a fund?
Contact Leah Johnson-Clark, Donor Relations Advisor
Connect with Leah