About Silicon VAlley community FoundAtion
Silicon Valley Community Foundation makes all forms of philanthropy more powerful. We serve as a
catalyst and leader for innovative solutions to our region’s most challenging problems, and through
our donors we award more money to charities than any other community foundation in the United
States. As Silicon Valley’s center of philanthropy, we provide thousands of individuals, families and
corporations with simple and effective ways to give locally and around the world.
HeAdqUArterS:
2440 West el Camino real, Suite 300Mountain View, California 94040Phone: 650.450.5444Find out more at www.siliconvalleycf.org.
philAnthropic pArtnerShip opportunitieS
POSSIBILITIES START HERE 1WHY GIVE 3BENEFITS OF GIVING THROUGH SVCF 6CHARITABLE OPTIONS 7WAYS TO ESTABLISH FUNDS 10FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 11GETTING STARTED 14
1 SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 2
Silicon Valley Community Foundation advances innovative philanthropic solutions to challenging
problems, engaging donors to make our region and world a better place for all. SVCF is a comprehensive
center of philanthropy. Through visionary leadership, strategic grantmaking and world-class experiences,
SVCF partners with donors to strengthen the common good locally and throughout the world.
As one of the largest foundations in the United States and the world’s largest community foundation,
SVCF has the resources, experience and expertise to help you fulfill your philanthropic goals locally,
nationally and around the globe.
POSSIBILITIES START HEREHERE ARE SOME OF THE WAYS SVCF DONORS ARE
Making a Difference:Increasing affordable housing and improving regional transportation Strengthening early literacyConserving the environmentSupporting veteransProviding aid to global health needs, such as the fight against EbolaRedefining educational standardsGiving to those without food or shelterPerforming groundbreaking researchCaring for neglected youthStrengthening capacity for arts organizationsTaking care of animals
Possibilities start here.
3 SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 4
WHY GIVEMAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
Whether you hope to create a scholarship program, fund education reform, conserve natural
resources or support charitable efforts around the globe, SVCF can turn possibilities into reality.
In the process, we will help you improve the world we live in.
CREATE A LEGACY
Funds at SVCF can be passed on to future generations. Whether you decide to permanently endow
your fund or distribute your philanthropic dollars during your lifetime, giving is a powerful way
to create a lasting impact for generations to come.
DONOR PROFILE:
John Dawson & Jennie Savage
John Dawson and Jennie Savage have longstanding commitments
of their own to philanthropy. And for the past several years,
they’ve combined their charitable energies to bring the
transformational power of debate to students in some
predominantly low-income Silicon Valley high schools.
Years ago, as he realized financial success from a technology career, John created donor advised funds at both Community Foundation Silicon Valley and Peninsula Community Foundation, SVCF’s parent foundations. He wanted to connect with both organizations and get to know others who were dedicated to charitable giving, including to environmental and international causes.
Jennie began giving 10 percent of her income to local nonprofits when she was just out of college and working as a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. She comes from a family of social activists, she said, so helping her community is a central part of her life.
Now, John and Jennie are helping Silicon Valley youth who often lack a forum for their opinions. The couple are founding board members of the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, which has launched debate programs at Eastside College Preparatory School in East Palo Alto and Overfelt High School in San Jose — with more to come. SVUDL, as the group is known, is part of a nationwide network helping disadvantaged kids succeed academically and personally by mastering debate skills, including public speaking, critical thinking and teamwork.
“To have a more reflective democracy, you have to start when the kids are young, and tell them ‘We need all of what you have to say to be brought to the table’,” said Jennie, who credits high school debate with influencing her own professional life in government and education.
SVUDL students held a lively debate at SVCF in 2015 about ways to break the cycle of poverty. “We are so appreciative of SVCF’s support of the SVUDL event,” said John. For him, much of the satisfaction in charitable giving is “having a personal sense of accomplishment in helping philanthropic efforts.”
Jennie said SVCF’s Philanthropy Advisors embrace her passion for local giving, including to SVUDL. “It’s been great to share that sense of purpose. I automatically have a common language with the people at SVCF.”
BENEFITS OF GIVING THROUGH SVCFWhen you partner with SVCF, you receive cost-effective solutions, personalized service and professional advice.
5 SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
EASE OF ADMINISTRATIONSVCF handles all the reporting, accounting, audits and necessary paperwork to allow you the opportunity to enjoy your philanthropy.
WORLD-CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICESVCF prides itself on providing the highest level of customer service. By giving through SVCF, you benefit from highly professional and experienced staff. The SVCF team is available to answer any questions you might have, and can provide customized support based on your needs and interests. From developing a mission statement to identifying high-impact nonprofit organiza-tions around the globe, the SVCF team is ready to serve your unique needs.
ONLINE SERVICESSVCF provides an online resource that puts giving at your fingertips. Using your personal login, you can check your fund balance, view investment performance and even recommend grants 24 hours a day.
FLEXIBILITYOne size does not fit all. SVCF will work with you and your advisors to identify the best assets to donate and the perfect charitable solutions for you. SVCF’s flexible and comprehensive approach can support all of your philanthropic endeavors.
INTERNATIONAL GRANTMAKINGSVCF has extensive expertise that can be leveraged by individuals, families, nonprofits and corporations to support any qualified charitable cause around the world. SVCF maintains a master list of international organizations that grows on an annual basis, allowing for expedited grant processing for donors.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIPAs the world’s largest community foundation, SVCF is at the forefront of the philanthropic sector. Our expert staff are up to date on the latest research and trends in charitable giving and, together with our donors, help set the bar for others to reach.
TAX BENEFITSBecause SVCF is a community foundation and a public charity, you will receive the maximum tax benefits permitted by the Internal Revenue Service when you establish a charitable fund. Our philanthropic advisors can guide you through the many options available to you.
DONOR PROFILE:
Janet Lustgarten
After 20 years at the helm of a high-performance
database software company, Kx Systems, Janet Lustgarten
found herself taking stock of her life.
“I reached a point where I felt like I could share some of this financial success,” she said.
Lustgarten was passionate about supporting math education for young girls in the community where she grew up, in Barranquilla, Colombia.
“Education is what allowed me to build my company — in particular, education having to do with math,” Lustgarten said. “Math is a skill that is very marketable. I thought giving computers to the needy children in Barranquilla would help them be able to develop those skills.”
She came to Silicon Valley Community Foundation for expert guidance on how to achieve her goal — and because she had heard that working with SVCF made giving easy.
“I dislike paperwork very much,” Lustgarten said. A donor advised fund was the simplest charitable fund to create, so she established one with SVCF in 2011.
Lustgarten’s philanthropy advisors at SVCF worked closely with her to identify and review a nonprofit organization that provided computers to schools in Barranquilla. The nonprofit ensured that the schools had safe places to store the computers, because it wasn’t safe for the students to walk home with them.
Since establishing her fund, Lustgarten has given more than 1,000 computers to two different schools in Barranquilla. Grants from her donor advised fund also paid for teacher training, so instructors would be able to help the children use the computers effectively.
As one of the country’s leading international grantmakers, SVCF allowed Lustgarten to be certain that her donation was going to an institution that met the U.S. requirements for a tax deduction — a question that requires strict due diligence when the organization is in a foreign country.
Lustgarten has gone back to Barranquilla twice to see her gift in action since establishing her fund with SVCF. She has been honored with dance performances and appreciation from the children.
“All these little kids came to hug me,” she said. “It was very, very sweet.”
7 SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 8
DONOR ADVISED FUND
Allows donors to recommend grants to specific
charitable organizations and programs locally,
nationally and internationally. This is the most
popular option.
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION
This vehicle is for donors with complex philanthropic
goals and the desire to create a corporate entity
with its own tax identification number that will
perpetuate donors’ philanthropic legacy.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This vital resource can enable students to realize
their educational dreams. SVCF ensures compliance
with IRS regulations for this and all funds. SVCF
offers two types of scholarship funds — community
foundation managed and donor involved —
to give donors the right level of support for their
engagement in scholarship administration.
DESIGNATED FUND
This special fund helps donors endow their favorite
charitable organizations in perpetuity, or assist the
organizations over a prescribed number of years.
SVCF will ensure that donors’ instructions are
followed for generations to come.
FIELD OF INTEREST FUND
When donors have a passion for a cause but need
assistance to identify the best nonprofits working
for that cause, a field of interest fund can be a
great option. Inherently flexible, this type of fund
allows donors to identify and support a broad
charitable purpose or category of interest, such as
the arts, education or human services, or a particular
geographic area such as their hometown, all with
the expert philanthropic help of SVCF.
COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND
It is hard to know what challenges the future will
bring to our region. SVCF’s Community Endowment
Fund ensures there will be charitable resources
dedicated for San Mateo and Santa Clara counties
in perpetuity. When donors give to this endowment,
they help to meet the needs of this community
today and for years to come.
CUSTOMIZED PHILANTHROPY SERVICES
SVCF provides a variety of services designed to
support the needs of complex donor funds, private
foundations, corporations and nonprofit organizations.
Customized Philanthropy Services (CPS) offer
tailored solutions for donors’ unique needs and
help make their philanthropy as entrepreneurial as
they are. Examples of services include back-office
support, strategic grantmaking, board training,
hiring of dedicated staff and much more.
CHARITABLE OPTIONSEvery donor has unique interests and philanthropic goals he or she wants to realize. Therefore, SVCF offers you the broadest range of charitable solutions available, from establishing a donor advised fund or supporting organization to providing back-office services to your private foundation. SVCF will work with you and your advisors to identify the best option or options for you and ensure coordination among all your philanthropic goals. A few examples of the types of funds and services available to you are provided on the next page.
9 SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR PROFILE:
Frank Ghali
As managing director of a private wealth management
team at Goldman Sachs in San Francisco, Frank Ghali
has advised clients on all aspects of their financial
lives for the past 15 years.
“We provide education on financial structures, taxes and estate planning, as well as philanthropy,” he said. His team has a culture of nurturing philanthropy, he said, but they also seek expert advice from others as needed.
So in 2014 as he worked with several clients who were anticipating a “sizable liquidity event” after the sale of a company, SVCF was the perfect resource.
“The families that we were working with were new to the field of philanthropy, so while they had the innate desire to be charitable, their visions were not yet fully formed,” Ghali said. “We valued the ability of SVCF advisors to talk this through with them, step by step, and share their expertise. Our clients really felt they were hiring both a consultant and advisory team in SVCF to help build out their broader vision.”
Ghali said his clients’ access to dedicated philanthropic advisors sets SVCF apart from other services his clients could use. “More than a service that simply cuts a check, our clients want someone to answer questions and brainstorm ideas,” he said.
SVCF has also helped Ghali work with people who already have experience with philanthropy but are looking to improve on it. He shared a story about clients who created a private foundation, but grew dissatisfied with the experience: “They were looking for someone to unburden them from the administrative tasks and legal decisions associated with running the foundation, while allowing them to enjoy the philanthropic part. We realized that SVCF was a good solution. The clients could focus on providing resources to causes they are passionate about, while SVCF would cover the administrative aspects.”
The clients maintained their private foundation but also created a donor advised fund through SVCF. As Ghali put it, “SVCF has been a wonderful complement to clients’ existing philanthropic initiatives as they seek to have a more significant impact.”
WAYS TO ESTABLISH FUNDSCURRENT FUNDS
Cash
Appreciated stock
Closely held, restricted or pre-IPO stock
Real estate, partial interest in real estate or promissory notes
Transfer of a private foundation
Tangible personal property
Royalties and distribution rights
Partnership interests
Virtual currency
LEGACY FUNDS
Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT, CRUT or CRAT)
Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
Bequest
Is your asset not listed here?
Contact [email protected] to learn if SVCF can help.
SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 12
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the minimum donation to establish a fund?A donor advised fund at SVCF can be established
with $5,000.
Is there a minimum grant amount?The minimum amount for a domestic grant
recommendation is $200.
How do I recommend a grant?The easiest way to make a grant recommendation
is through SVCF’s 24-hour online system; however,
SVCF’s team of Philanthropy Advisors also can
personally assist you in this process.
How often are grant checks mailed out?Domestic grants submitted by noon on Fridays
are processed and mailed during the following
week if the grantee organization has met our
due diligence requirements.
How can I add to my fund?We make this process easy for you.
Contact your Philanthropy Advisor or
email [email protected] to get started.
Can I make a grant to an international organization?Yes. The minimum amount for an international
grant recommendation from an advised fund is
$1,000. If the grantee is already on our master list
of international grantees, your grant will be made
within two weeks. Otherwise, an international
grant takes longer to process. That is because
the IRS requires that SVCF verify that the
international organization is the equivalent of
a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity or government entity
(a process known as equivalency determination),
or verify that the purpose of the grant is
charitable in nature (a process known as expen-
diture responsibility). The time it takes to process
these types of international grants depends on
how long it takes the intended grantee to return
the materials required for verification.
Can I recommend an investment manager for the fund I advise?Yes. Fund advisors have the option to recommend
an investment advisor through SVCF’s Individually
Managed Fund program rather than using one of
SVCF’s investment pools to grow assets in a fund.
13 SVCF PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
GETTING STARTEDGet started in four simple steps:
1 Consult with your financial, tax or legal advisor.
2 Contact SVCF:
a. Email [email protected], or
b. Call 650.450.5444
3 Review and sign forms.
4 Contribute.
Possibilities start here.
About Silicon VAlley community FoundAtion
Silicon Valley Community Foundation makes all forms of philanthropy more powerful. We serve as a
catalyst and leader for innovative solutions to our region’s most challenging problems, and through
our donors we award more money to charities than any other community foundation in the United
States. As Silicon Valley’s center of philanthropy, we provide thousands of individuals, families and
corporations with simple and effective ways to give locally and around the world.
HeAdqUArterS:
2440 West el Camino real, Suite 300Mountain View, California 94040Phone: 650.450.5444Find out more at www.siliconvalleycf.org.
philAnthropic pArtnerShip opportunitieS
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