Types of Funds

A nonprofit organization can work with us to establish a permanent source of funding to support its mission. The earnings from the endowment provide a steady stream of income while the principal is never invaded. We manage the administration and can help the nonprofit develop planned giving programs to grow the fund. View the list of our current Agency Endowment Funds.

The minimum gift to establish an agency endowment is $10,000. Start a Fund

A Business Advised Fund operates much like a corporate foundation, but without the need to create a new corporate entity. By partnering with the Foundation for MetroWest, you can draw upon years of Board and Staff experience. We are qualified to help you match your company's interests with the community's needs and opportunities. 

As a Business Advised Fundholder, you can: 

• Engage your employees in issues that they care about
• Direct nonprofit grantseekers to the Foundation
• Maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving
• Reduce administrative overhead associated with corporate social responsibility initiatives 

The minimum gift to establish a named Business Advised Fund is $25,000. Start a fund

With a permanently endowed designated fund, you can name one or more specific organizations or agencies to benefit from the fund. Your gift is invested for long-term growth and provides perpetual support to the organization(s) you choose. Your designation will be honored through the years. View the list of our current Designated Funds.

The minimum gift to establish a named designated fund is $10,000. Start a Fund

A Donor Advised Fund is our most flexible fund. You can use your fund to recommend donations to the charities to which you already give, and/or we will provide information on organizations or areas of interest to assist you in choosing your grant recipients. You also have the option to give anonymously if you choose. The Foundation for MetroWest manages all the administration. View the list of our current Donor Advised Funds.

The minimum gift to establish a named Donor Advised Fund is $10,000. Start a Fund

A Field of Interest Fund gives you the opportunity to target your contribution to one or more fields of interest that you care most about, such as homelessness or animal welfare, or within a specific geographic area. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff will use their expertise to identify, evaluate, and award grants to the most qualified and deserving organizations and programs in your area of interest. View the list of our current Field of Interest Funds.

The minimum gift to establish a named field of interest fund is $10,000. Start a Fund

Our grantmaking in MetroWest is funded primarily through our Giving Area Funds. The Foundation manages a competitive grantmaking process, distributing grants to nonprofit organizations that are addressing the most important issues in the region. The areas currently funded through our unrestricted Giving Area Funds include: Arts & Culture, Environment, Family Support, and Youth Development. The flexibility of Giving Area Funds enables the Foundation to respond to the community’s most pressing needs for today and tomorrow.

View the list of our current Giving Area Funds.

A Scholarship Fund allows you to help deserving students further their education. You can designate any level of education from preschool to postgraduate work, as well as a field of study and eligibility requirements. View the list of our current Scholarship Funds.

The minimum gift to establish a scholarship fund is $10,000. Start a Fund

Town Funds are established by local residents as a way to build a permanent endowment to strengthen their community. This option provides a steady source of funding for your town to support community needs and opportunities, and it provides ways for donors to give back or leave a legacy to their community. Each year, spending is limited to a designated percentage of the fund, leaving the rest to build for the future.

View the list of our current Town Funds.

Unrestricted funds are permanently endowed. They rely on the Foundation’s knowledge to direct support to critical unmet needs in MetroWest, now and forever.

The minimum gift to establish a named unrestricted fund is $10,000. Start a Fund