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Donor-advised funds are usually created when a donor wishes to contribute a large amount in a single year, to be disbursed to conservation projects over one or more years in the future. The donor also may want INHF staff to help them identify projects worthy of support which match the donor's personal interests.
- INHF donor-advised funds must match INHF's mission and goals. Supported projects must be related to conservation or natural resource protection, and they should be focused on Iowa or its adjoining watersheds or viewsheds.
- All funds are disbursed at the discretion of the INHF board of directors. The donor may, however, recommend projects to support through the fund.
- To establish a donor-advised fund, a gift valued at $25,000 or more is required. The donor may make additional contributions to the fund over time. Disbursements from the fund must be $500 or more.
INHF and the donor sign a letter agreement when the donor-advised fund is created. This agreement outlines all the terms described above, plus terms or restrictions unique to that fund such as anonymity/recognition, intended duration of the fund, and the fund's purpose (geographic restrictions or specific types of projects to be supported such as trails, wetlands, water quality, environmental education).
To learn more about establishing a donor-advised fund for conservation at INHF, email Anita O'Gara, INHF Director of Development, or call her at (800) 475-1846. |
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Carole Reichardt / INHF
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Example: Gunderson Family Fund
Bob and Mary Lou Gunderson established their donor-advised fund at INHF to support permanent land protection and enhancements, with an emphasis on the Iowa River Greenbelt in Hardin County where they have been very involved for years.
Occasionally the Gundersons let INHF staff know about local projects that would be appropriate for support from the Gunderson Family Fund. In turn, INHF staff alert the family to projects we believe would be appropriate for fund support. Final decisions of use of the fund rests with the INHF board, but with good communication we can be sure the fund is used in ways that bring great satisfaction to their family.
The Gunderson Family Fund has often provided lead grants or challenge grants to new projects. This helps projects compete for competitive public grants and attract additional private donations. For example, the fund has provided key support for a 57-acre addition to Pine Lake State Park; the Eldora Rail Trail; and establishment of the Sac & Fox Overlook, a 160-acre blufftop on the Iowa River Valley just south of the Highway 20 bridge.
The fund has also supported projects at Pine Lake State Park, such as the “Wild Women of the Woods” environmental education programming, and INHF projects that align with the family's interests.
Bob and Mary Lou appreciate that INHF has access to good advice on investments which benefits the longevity of the fund. They recently made another generous contribution to the fund and extended its expected duration.
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