Types
of Funds
Choose the Fund That Fits Your Giving Goals
La Crosse Area Community Foundation offers several types of charitable funds to help you support the causes and communities you care about. Whether you want ongoing involvement in recommending grants, prefer to support specific nonprofits, or hope to create a lasting legacy through an endowed fund, we can help you choose the option that best aligns with your values and financial goals. The table below provides a quick overview of how each fund type works.
(If you’re looking for a cause to support right away, you can also browse our funds to explore existing giving opportunities.)
| Fund Type | Best For | How it Works | Why Donors Choose it | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) | Donors who want flexibility and ongoing involvement | You make a charitable gift and recommend grants over time | A flexible, meaningful way to stay engaged in your giving, without the administrative burden of a private foundation |
 | Designated Fund | Donors who want to support specific nonprofits year after year | LACF makes regular distributions to the organizations you select | Peace of mind knowing your chosen organizations receive steady, ongoing support |
 | Field-of-Interest Fund | Donors passionate about a cause or issue area | You define the focus area; LACF identifies nonprofits working in that space | A thoughtful way to provide timely support to a cause you care about while trusting local expertise |
 | Scholarship Fund | Donors who want to support students | You set the criteria; LACF administers the scholarship | A meaningful way to honor someone or help students pursue education |
 | Named Unrestricted Fund | Donors who want to meet changing community needs | LACF uses the fund to respond to emerging community priorities | A flexible way to support the community as needs evolve over time |
| Community Impact (Unrestricted) Fund | Donors who want to support the community’s most pressing and emerging needs | LACF directs grants to address evolving priorities and opportunities | Your gift has the broadest possible impact and responds where support is needed most |
 | Agency Endowment | Agency Endowment Nonprofits seeking long-term sustainability | A nonprofit entrusts assets to LACF for investment and long-term stewardship | Professional management that helps nonprofits build long-term stability |
 | Supporting Organization | Donors who want hands-on philanthropy without private foundation burdens | Donors who want hands-on philanthropy without private foundation burdens Donors stay actively involved in grantmaking while LACF handles administration | Donors stay actively involved in grantmaking while LACF handles administration Hands-on involvement paired with simplified governance and oversight |
How to Choose the Right Fund Type
Choosing a fund often starts with a few simple questions:
1
How involved do you want to be in your giving?
- High involvement: Donor-Advised Fund
- Moderate involvement: Field-of-Interest or Scholarship Fund
- Low involvement: Designated or Unrestricted Fund
2
Do you want to support specific nonprofits or a broader cause?
- Specific nonprofits: Designated Fund
- A cause or issue area: Field-of-Interest Fund
- Community-wide needs: Unrestricted Fund
3
Is your goal long-term sustainability or immediate impact?
- Long-term: Endowed funds (can apply to most fund types)
- Immediate or flexible: Non-endowed funds
If you’re unsure where to start, our team is always happy to help you talk through the options.
When you’re ready to take the next step, learn how to start a fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Browse Our Funds
Search by name or area of interest to support causes that matter to you.
Community / Unrestricted Giving
Allow your gift to respond to changing local needs, today and in the future.
Start a Fund
Learn how to start a charitable fund at La Crosse Area Community Foundation.
Endow a Fund
Enter a gift amount and time horizon to see projected fund growth and annual charitable distributions.