“At its core, the role of a community foundation is to create pathways that connect our community and its many different individuals, groups, and organizations to the resources needed to flourish.”
Jennifer Owens, Arlington Community Foundation President & CEO
When it comes to making the most out of your charitable giving, the best pathway may not always be clear. Whether you’re a new or experienced donor, an individual or a corporation, there’s no shortage of questions to consider along the way: “Where will my donations make the most impact? How do I know my dollars are being used effectively? What types of assets can I donate? How can I maximize the tax benefits of giving?”… the list goes on…and on.
That’s where we come in. Answering these questions is what we do. We take the time to understand what’s important to you, so that we can provide you with customized service for your giving through a number of giving tools and fund types. If you’re looking to make a one-time donation to support affordable housing in Arlington, we’ve got you covered. If you want to start a legacy fund that will continue to support youth education and refugee families for generations to come, we can help you with that, too.
Working alongside our philanthropy team is our team of programmatic experts who intimately understand the social and economic challenges in Arlington and have deep relationships with the nonprofits and policymakers that are most effectively tackling those challenges. We constantly ask the questions about effective and maximum giving impact so you don’t have to (of course, you still can).
If you’re reading this, you’ve already made a big step on the pathway to highly personal, flexible, and rewarding giving. We invite you to explore this page to learn more and to meet a few of your neighbors who already give through the Community Foundation. But more importantly, please know that you can reach out to us at any time to talk about your own giving journey.
Photos [Top to bottom]: Presenting a grant from the After School Enrichment Matters fund; Culpepper Garden, grantees of our annual Holiday Wish Catalog; A 2023 scholarship recipient with his family.
We offer a variety of giving opportunities, so your charitable investments and impact are as unique as you are: from easy one-time donations that support the greatest needs in Arlington to long-term funds and planned gifts (and everything in between). Our funds allow donors to be recognized or to remain anonymous should they choose, and our fund administration fee is invested right back into the community.
Click the images and contact us to learn more about these popular giving tools (and others) to see which is right for you.
Support charities in Arlington and beyond, maximize your tax savings while minimizing paperwork, and get back to the joy that comes from supporting the organizations and causes you care about, whether it’s art classes for Arlington’s youth, support for local animal welfare groups, or funding for parks preservation. You can use cash, stock, real estate or other assets to fund the gift and will receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction.
Did you know: Not all DAFs are created equal. Check out this DAF Comparison Chart to learn more about the ACF Advantage.
In the past decade, Arlington Community Foundation has awarded more than $5 million to Arlington students attending college. Generous individuals, families, companies, and organizations fund the scholarships, and each has its own unique eligibility criteria established by the funder, such as 1st generation Americans, LGTBQ+ students, and those entering the medical field.
To provide substantial and sustainable assistance for these students, all new scholarships must be renewable and a minimum of $1,500 per year.
Legacy gifts are a unique expression of generosity, oftentimes highlighting the causes and charities donors connect to most during their lifetimes. Planned gifts can offer important estate, financial and personal advantages – allowing you to give in the most effective and beneficial manner. Whatever your inspiration for giving, your legacy gift is an enduring testament to the causes you hold dear.
Quick tip: Making a bequest – of any percentage, part, or component of estate or trust assets – in a will or revocable living trust to Arlington Community Foundation is a simple way to donate, and it can also help to reduce inheritance taxes. Check out this sample bequest language to see how that looks.
These funds help the Foundation support long-term solutions; respond quickly to emergencies; and meet changing social, arts and cultural, educational, health and human services, or environmental needs in our community. Donations can be made securely online, and all gifts are tax-deductible.
Donors have a variety of giving options to choose from when creating a new giving fund or adding to an existing fund. In addition to cash, we accept a range of assets to make giving convenient and highly impactful while maximizing your tax savings. Accepted assets include (but are not limited to):
– Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds (read: tax-savings of appreciated stock gifts)
– Life insurance and retirement accounts (read: QCDs from IRAs)
– Charitable bequests (read: sample bequest language)
– Real estate (read: flexible real estate giving tools)
– Cryptocurrency (read: charities and cryptocurrency)
Keeping in mind your unique interests and means, our team is here to help you plan the giving options that are best for you. With our support, you can ensure that your gift meets your objectives and makes a real difference.
Assets under management of the Foundation, including cash, stocks, retirement plans, mutual funds, real estate, and other asset types.
Scholarships awarded to Arlington students. Each scholarship has unique eligibility requirements determined by the fundholder such as area of study, graduating high school, and extracurricular activities, among others.
Funds managed by the Foundation, ranging from memorial funds, to donor advised funds promoting cycling, to $2 million nonprofit reserve funds, and much more in between.
Grants awarded to nonprofits in Arlington and beyond, including Prompt Response grants, STEM Fellowships, education grants, and many more.
We love meeting new people. So no matter what your charitable/community questions may be, we’re happy to help! Send us an email at giving@arlcf.org or call 703-243-4785 to discuss your needs and find out how we can get started on your giving journey together.
