FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is The UPLIFT Community Foundation?

Founded in 1986, The UPLIFT Community Foundation is a tax-exempt 501©(3) charitable and educational organization that provides grants and the implementation of programs designed to improve the social and economic status of diverse communities. However, the foundation's mission grows out of a sense that the improvement of any community automatically improves the quality of life for all of our communities and its citizens, regardless of race creed or color. The foundation is supported by individual donors who contribute to or establish individual named or separately named endowment funds to help improve the quality of life in the community, as well as prepare for their community's future.

What does The UPLIFT Community Foundation do?

The UPLIFT Community Foundation professionally manages and distributes grants from charitable gifts and bequests in a manner consistent with the donors' specific and general interest. Through its competitive grant cycle, the Community Foundation funds qualified nonprofit organizations that are actively maintaining the educational, social, cultural, environmental and civic resources within their communities.

What is the Major Role and mission of Community Foundations?

Community foundations have traditionally had two major missions: (a.) to stimulate the establishment of endowments to serve communities now and in the future; and (b) to realize the intent of donors, carrying out their charitable intentions while reserving the right to modify those intentions as the community's needs evolves.

What is the philanthropic Role of the UPLIFT Community Foundation?

The Community Foundation's philanthropic role as a community foundation is to leverage funds from national foundations, major corporations and the local and federal governments for worthy community projects. Community foundations receive challenge grants from these public and private entities for sub-granting to other local nonprofit 501-(c)(3) organizations with modest budgets. Community foundations serve as the eyes and ears for these national and local public founders that would not otherwise have the capability to evaluate small grants on a local or national level.

What "community" does the Community Foundation serve?

The UPLIFT Community Foundation has the capabilities to serve the entire United States through its Field of Interest Fund and its affiliates development program. The community Foundation's donors stretches across the country and its services are available to a wide range of communities. However, the foundations heaviest concentration of services and support are in the Metropolitan Washington, DC. communities. In the future, the foundation hope to extend its out reaches development program by establishing affiliates through out the United States. These affiliates will be a structural part of Uplift.

What are some of the goals of the foundation?

The UPLIFT Community goals are (a) to sponsor and implement programs that will motivate and encourage minorities and women to become more socially aware and financially responsible for their lives and the future of their communities. (b) to support and sponsor impact initiatives that will encourage the formation of public and private partnerships, coalitions and community networks that aid in combating some of the social and economic problems that are devastating our communities. (c) to address health issues that affect the well being of communities by sponsoring and hosting educational and research programs. (d) to serve as a facilitator for social and economic change and to foster the importance of improved communications between different races and cultures and their need to co-exist as a matter of survival.

What type of programs are offered and sponsored by the foundation?

The foundation sponsors and utilizes public seminars, forums and conferences as a means of distributing information to the communities. (b) Provides direct scholarship grants and a scholarship referral service as a means of assisting high school and college students in reaching their educational goals. See (insert educational link). (c) The foundation makes available a clearinghouse for scholarships, grants, internships and fellowships offered by other foundations, corporations and community organizations. (d) and provide a central Job Bank referral service for those persons seeking jobs.

Who governs the UPLIFT Community Foundation?

A board of directors governs The UPLIFT Community Foundation, which oversees the management and policies of the community foundation. In addition, their own staff and a local advisory board manage each affiliate.

Is this a national or a local group?

The UPLIFT Community Foundation is a national foundation, which has local affiliates that is completely autonomous with decisions made locally. The foundation has an advisory Board, which serves as a resource on policy, legal and tax questions, monetary and in-kind contributions as well as experts in related disciplines. There are more than 500 community foundations nationwide. UCF represents one of the more proficient segments of philanthropy, in the United States.

Which organizations are helped by the Community Foundation?

The community foundation supports a number of nonprofit organizations. Grants are made to a variety of organizations serving communities across the country, such as education, jobs, issues of aging, child welfare, mental health and other health issues, housing and employment services and more.

How is The UPLIFT Community Foundation different from United Way or any other community organization?

All are important resources to the community. However, some have described UCF as and additional organized link in the community that enhances other organizations rather then competing with them. The Uplift Community is more like a savings account, distributing funds in perpetuity and initiating a broad scope of programs, including education, scholarships, jobs the arts and human services designed to improve the quality of life within the communities it serves.

Who are The UPLIFT Community Foundation's donors?

The foundation's donors are individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and charitable organizations with a common goal. Donors make a big difference by contributing to causes that improve the quality of life and make our communities better places to live. Donors range from people of relatively modest means to those with substantial financial resources. By establishing a charitable fund with the Uplift Community Foundation, you can contribute gifts of cash and appreciated property toward a permanent, named endowment. This enables you to make a long-term impact. Many donors are interested in planned giving and have named the foundation in their wills or trusts.

Why should I become a donor of The UPLIFT Community Foundation?

The foundation helps to make a difference in your community. You benefit from the speed, flexibility, economy, and efficiency of the community foundation. Because the legal apparatus as a public charity is already in place, existing forms are available so that a fund can be established and the maximum tax advantages secured, in a very short time. Also, long-term giving opportunities allow you to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve now and on the future.

What are the financial benefits and tax advantages of gifting through The UPLIFT Community foundation?

The UPLIFT Community Foundation's approach to charitable giving offers donors a number of important financial benefits. Because we manage many funds, administrative costs and service fees for your fund are minimized, this means less overhead cost to you. Another important advantage is that the Federal tax code provides significant incentives for contributions to a community foundation.

What services do I receive as a donor?

The Community Foundation provides the IRS reporting, fund accounting, investment management, and financial accountability for funds. The foundation's volunteer distribution program committee, panel of experts, staff and board member committee review all competitive grant requests, go on agency site visit and work with donors on grant requests. The foundation assures that all grant and scholarship recipients meet the IRS criteria for tax-exempt status. Where appropriate, the community foundation help advise recipients of the donor's intent to solicit proposals or fund certain categories of interest. Donors are kept informed of special community needs, grant opportunities, and high quality organizations.

What tax benefits can the Community Foundation offer me?

Gifts to the community foundation during your lifetime are deductible to the maximum extent permissible under current tax laws for gifts of cash that's 50 percent of adjusted gross income. For more information contact us.

How do I set up a fund with The UPLIFT Community Foundation?

You can create several types of funds within the Uplift Community Foundation. You can set up an unrestricted fund to help meet a variety of needs within the community, or specify a purpose or area of concern to support. Some donors identify a single charitable organization to support in perpetuity. You also can name the fund you create -for yourself, a spouse, family members, or a friend. UCF@upliftfoundation.org to contact us for more information about setting up a fund. Gifts may also be contributed to an existing fund.

How are Community Foundation's funds invested and managed?

A Volunteer Investment Committee of respected professionals from leading financial institutions, brokerage houses and investment firms wisely guides the board of Directors in maximizing short and long-term investments of the funds.

How much must I contribute to set up named fund with The UPLIFT Community Foundation?

Named funds usually start at a minimum of $2,000, which may be added to at any time.

Can I give anonymously?

Yes, The Community Foundation can act as a buffer between you and charitable organizations.

How do I apply for a Scholarship or grant?

Please contact The UPLIFT Community Foundation's program department at (202) 291-4688 or ucf@upliftfoundation.org to ask for a formal scholarship or grant application. In our competitive grant cycle, the Community Foundation funds are awarded on a competitive basis.

How can I help increase the existing funds or endowments with The UPLIFT Community Foundation?

You can help increase the existing funds or endowment with the Foundation by becoming a donor and getting your friends to join you. As more donor funds are created and existing funds are increased with UCF, grants and scholarships will continue to increase, touching the lives of thousands of people throughout our communities.

Are there other ways I can contribute to the Foundation?

Yes. There are several ways you can contribute to The UPLIFT Community Foundation. You can donate in-kind contribution such as volunteering, serving as a panelist, special events planning, computers, software, and many other ways. Please contact our office for further information.

What is an advised fund?

An advised fund held by a community foundation is where the donor, or designees, may recommend eligible charitable recipients for grants from the fund. The Community foundation's governing body must be free to accept or reject the recommendations. This is a flexible fund for donors wishing to remain involved in the grant making process. This fund is an excellent alternative to a private foundation because the community foundation takes care of the administration so the donor can concentrate on grant-making.

Can I set up a fund to be established after my death?

Yes. That process is called a bequest where a sum of money is made available upon your death as designated by your will.

What is a challenge Grant?

A challenge grant is a grant that is made on the condition that other monies must be secured, either on a matching basis or via some other formula, usually within a specified period of time, with the objective of stimulating giving from additional sources.

How does a community foundation become a charity?

In its traditional legal meaning, the word "charity" encompasses religion, education, and assistance to the government, promotion of health, relief of poverty or distress and other purposes that benefit the community. The community foundation, like Nonprofit organizations, is organized and operates to further one of these purposes generally is why community foundations are recognized as exempt from federal income tax under Section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable gifts.

What is an Endowment fund with The UPLIFT Community Foundation?

An Endowment is a fund established with the UCF by a bequest or gift, which allows the foundation to invest the principal in order to create a source of income for the foundation.

What meant by In-Kind Contributions to The UPLIFT Community Foundation?

In-Kind contributions to UCF are donations of goods or services given to the community foundation rather than cash or appreciated property.

What is a Pass-Through Fund with the Community Foundation?

It is a fund that receives monies and makes distributions to recipients of donations, with little or no principal remaining with the foundation.

How does The UPLIFT Community Foundation come under the category of a Philanthropy organization?

Philanthropy is defined in different ways. The origin of the word philanthropy is Greek, means love for mankind. Today, philanthropy includes the concept of voluntary giving by an individual or group to promote the common good. Philanthropy also commonly refers to grants of money given by foundations to nonprofit organizations. Philanthropy addresses the contribution of an individual or group to other organizations that in turn work for the causes of poverty or social problems-improving the quality of life for all citizens. Philanthropy giving supports a variety of activities, including research, health, education, arts and culture, as well as alleviating poverty.

If you need more information, contact The UPLIFT community Foundation for answers. 202/291-4688 or email us at uplift@upliftfoundation.org.