How you can contribute to the

greater Viroqua area

The Viroqua Area Foundation accepts gifts in many forms.  Popular forms of tax deductible contributions include:

• Cash
• Real Estate
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Other Property

Other popular methods for contributing gifts are

• Charitable Remainder - A Charitable Remainder Gift provides a life income to your or another beneficiary, and upon your death, the balance in the fund is transferred to the Foundation.

• Life Insurance - Life Insurance by means of small annual contributions. You take out a life insurance policy and designate the Foundation as the owner and beneficiary.  Your premium contributions are made directly to the foundation as a tax deductible contribution and the Foundation then pays the insurance premium.

• $10 per Year - You make a contribution (during your lifetime, or in your will) worth $10 per year of your life.  For example, if you live to be 89, a contribution of $890 could be made.

The key to the acceptance of any gift by the VAF lies in meeting the needs of the community, the donor, and the mission of the VAF.  For more information, please contact us.

	Related documents:	VAF Investment Information for donors.pdf
		VAF investment policy statement.pdf
		VAF Gift-In-Kind Contribution Form.pdf

A letter will be mailed to the contributor stating the donation amount for IRS tax reporting purposes for donations over $250.  Please see the policy page for VAF investment and fee information.

Types of Funds

As stewards of permanent charitable assets, the Viroqua Area Foundation is committed to meeting the needs of the community as well as responding to donors’ specific philanthropic interests.  Listed below are the 8 types of funds supported by the VAF for directing the allocation of your gift.

For a more detailed description of these fund types, please see the this document

VAF types of funds available.pdf

Unrestricted or Undesignated Funds (General)
	These are funds that have no restrictions as to how the gift is used.  The fund is allocated at the discretion of the Foundation in a manner that best meets the needs and priorities of the community.
	Related documents: VAF Undesignated Fund contract.pdf
Restricted or Designated Funds
	Designated Funds are established to benefit specific charitable organizations that are named by the donor.
	Related documents: Designated Fund Contract.pdf
The funds below are all specific types of restricted or designated funds.
Field of Interest Funds
	These are funds created by donor(s) with the primary purpose of benefiting a specified area of concern that is broadly stated such as arts, youth, environment, elderly, women, handicapped, education, etc.
Remembrance Fund
	This is a fund that is discretionary in nature and allows donors to make gifts in memory of deceased individuals or in honor of special occasions, individuals, or organizations.
Scholarship Fund
	This fund is created by donor(s) with the primary purpose of benefiting young people and providing financial assistance for the education of the youth in our area on one-time bases or over a time frame of many years. Please note that a gift of $10,000 is required to establish a Named Scholarship Fund.
	Related documents:	SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND Application.pdf
		VAF Policy for Establishing a Scholarship Fund.pdf
		Guide To Establishing A Scholarship Program.pdf
Seedling Fund
	This fund enables donors to pledge annual gifts toward an endowment fund goal of $10,000 within 10 years of the first gift. Contributions may be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually until the fund reaches the required $10,000. Interest or dividends earned by the fund remain in the fund to help it grow. No fees are charged until the fund balance reaches $10,000 and converts to a Donor-advised Fund, Field of Interest Fund, Unrestricted Fund, or Designated Fund.
Designated Funds Serving as Agency Endowments
	This type of fund can be established by an agency that wishes to establish an endowment fund, but may not have the staff or the expertise to build the fund over time.
Donor-Advised Funds
	Individuals or families who would like to have input into where their donated funds are distributed usually establish Donor-advised Funds. In general, a “Donor-advised Fund” is a fund or account that is: (1) separately identified by reference to contributions of a donor or donors (2) owned and controlled by a sponsoring organization, and (3) with respect to which a donor (or any person appointed or designated by such donor (a “donor advisor”) has, or reasonably expects to have, advisory privileges with respect to the distribution or investment of amounts held in the separately identified fund or account by reason of the donor's status as a donor.

A gift of $10,000 is required to establish a Named Fund in all of the funds listed above.