As the end of the year approaches, there is no better time to share your passion cause areas with loved ones and to discuss family legacy, values, and giving back. Communities Foundation of Texas is here to help individuals, families, and businesses easily put their core values into action through charitable giving.

Nonprofit organizations across North Texas are in need this holiday season, especially with inflation rising.

“In the last six to nine months, our nonprofit partners have experienced an increase in client needs that surpasses the early days of the pandemic. With inflation hitting our community hard, people are in great need, which makes your year-end gifts even more crucial than in previous years,” said Monica Christopher, senior vice president and chief giving and community impact officer at CFT. “We are counting on our collective community to support North Texas nonprofits by giving what they can.”

CFT is the largest community foundation in Texas, managing more than 1,200 charitable funds and stewarding more than $1.5 billion in charitable assets. For those who partner with CFT, opportunities for end-of-year giving are endless.

“CFT can work with you and/or your accountant or tax advisor to think through the wisest charitable options related to tax deduction opportunities,” said Jeri Chambers, CFT’s senior donor engagement officer in Collin County. “What we treasure most though is connecting people’s passions with the nonprofits working in those areas. We love participating in conversations with families and businesses around the holiday season to spark joy and generosity.”

“A sense of purpose coupled with a passion for helping others is an incredibly powerful thing. We hope people find that Communities Foundation of Texas is where passion meets purpose. Whatever your philanthropic passions are, our team is here to help you give with purpose to the causes that matter most to you,” said Christopher.

Popular charitable giving tools at CFT include donor-advised funds and business-advised funds, which can be opened with $5,000 and are available to access 24/7 via an online portal. Givers use these funds to make contributions and grants to nonprofits of their choosing. CFT does all the work in vetting the nonprofits and distributing the grants and is always available for advice and consultation.



“Not knowing what 2023 will bring, this is a great year to create a donor advised fund, which allows you to make a gift now and continue giving to nonprofits through your fund into the future, especially during times of economic uncertainty,” Chambers said.

Individuals can also create a charitable fund specifically for a beloved organization or even a scholarship fund to support students. Some givers establish a field of interest fund for a passion area or an unrestricted fund, which allows CFT to award grants toward pressing needs and promising opportunities as they arise in the community. Another option is to establish charitable funds through will and estate plans, which allows for the next generation to participate in a legacy of giving.

“Start a conversation with CFT, and I bet we can find a connection point or a way to achieve your giving goals,” Chambers said. “If you’re looking to give your time, talent or treasure, we’re here to serve as a guide in connecting you with nonprofits that align with your passions.”

In Collin County, residents can give back through the Collin County Impact Fund, an endowed fund focused on supporting Collin County needs and opportunities. Anyone can give to the fund in any amount to support Collin County nonprofit organizations in perpetuity. The goal is to create meaningful impact where support is needed most for generations to come.

Collin County organizations assisted by the fund apply through a letter of inquiry process and qualify for funding consideration if 75% or more of the organization’s clientele are Collin County residents. This year, Collin County givers have the chance to see their gifts make an even larger impact, as Katherine and Craig Hall made a $500,000 commitment to the fund with an expectation that others will match it.

“As people are looking for their donations to go further, this generous matching opportunity from the Hall family is a great opportunity for people to double their impact,” Chambers said. “For first-time givers who don’t know where to give or how to make an impact, this fund is a great way for people to know that their gift is one that will continue giving year after year. And just like with all of our charitable fund offerings, people can gift cash, credit card, stock, IRA, and a variety of complex assets that make the most tax-wise sense for them to help their giving go even further. We’re very serious about growing this fund. The larger the fund grows, the more we’ll be able to grant dollars to the nonprofits that have the greatest impact on the greatest need.”

No matter which route one takes for their end-of-year donation, CFT experts are ready to help givers find joy in charitable giving. To learn more about Communities Foundation of Texas and plan your end-of-year gift, schedule a complimentary conversation with one of the organization’s experts at 214-750-4226 or visit their website at www.cftexas.org.



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