The East Texas Communities Foundation is a collection
of individual philanthropic funds created by members
of the East Texas community for a wide variety of charitable
purposes. Many donors choose to give through the Foundation
because of the advantages a community foundation offers.
Flexibility
The Foundation can manage virtually any type of gift
for any charitable purpose. If you are a Donor Advisor
to the Foundation, click here to download a Grant
Recommendation Form.
Personalized Service
The Foundation is experienced in working with donors
to design grantmaking tailored to their values and
interests.
Simplicity
Through the Communities Foundation, donors can achieve
the satisfaction of creating their own philanthropic
fund while avoiding complex administrative burdens.
Most funds can be established through a simple one-page
governing document. Once a fund is established, there
is no separate tax return to file, no federal investment
requirements and no maximum distribution requirements.
All grant paperwork, auditing, accounting and government
reporting are handled for you by the Communities
Foundation.
Foundation Within a Foundation
Affiliation with the Foundation offers the advantages
of a private foundation without the attendant expense
and time commitment. We relieve donors of the complications
of administering their own foundations by assuming
full responsibility for the efficient, prudent management
of each fund entrusted to our care. Click here for
a comparison of a fund at the Communities Foundation
with the establishment of a private foundation.
Recognition or Anonymity
Funds may be established in the name of the donor,
the donor's family, a friend, a business, a charitable
purpose, or in the name of another organization,
creating a permanent legacy that will be remembered
for generations. All grants are made in the name
of the fund as a lasting symbol of a donor's caring.
Conversely, if the donor desires anonymity, the Foundation
will carefully protect the donor's identity.
Community Impact
East Texas is served by hundreds of charitable agencies.
The Communities Foundation is experienced in investigating
needs, designing solutions and targeting dollars
for the greatest impact.
Tax Benefits
As a public charity, a community foundation offers
the highest level of tax deductions for income and
estate tax purposes. Gifts of appreciated stock are
deductible at full, fair-market value and receive
100% avoidance of capital gains tax.
Geographic Flexibility
The primary focus of the East Texas Communities Foundation
is the East Texas area, where the Foundation has
particular expertise in assessing community needs.
However, donors may recommend that grants from a
fund they have established go to nonprofit organizations
in any community, provided that the Foundation can
confirm the charitable status of the beneficiary.
Prudent Investment and Careful Stewardship
Under the authority of the Board of Directors, responsibility
for Investment policy and manager selection rests
with the Foundation's Investment Committee. Click
here for detailed information on ETCF's investment
policy and the current allocation of assets to the
Foundation's investment portfolios. 
Annual reviews, through an independent audit, filing
of tax returns, public disclosure of all grant activities
and careful selection of Board members ensure continued
use of funds in the public interest.
