Black Catholic Spotlight ~ { Print Version }
The National Black Catholic Congress
www.nbccongress.org

National Catholic Community Foundation

Who We Are

Philanthropy is a ministry. And like all ministries, it enriches both the giver and the receiver. This belief motivated our co-founders to create NCCF, and it is for this reason that NCCF offers individuals an array of services to help them become more effectively engaged in philanthropy. NCCF serves donors. We are not fund raisers. We exist to provide donors funding options that enable them to become involved in lasting and creative ways in support of charitable works.

As a community foundation, we comprise a pool of perpetual, individually created funds consisting of:

• Donor-Advised Funds, where the donors retain the right to advise us on which charities should receive distributions;
• Donor-Designated Funds, where the fund is established to provide perpetual support for a charity designated by the donor;
• Field-of-Interest funds, where the donor sets up the fund to support area of interest such as Catholic education, the retired religious, etc.

A donor can create a fund for as little as $10,000 in cash or securities. Contributions are tax deductible. Grants from the fund are approved by our board and distributed to qualified charities. In addition to investment management, we provide record-keeping for the assets we receive and the funds we distribute.

Additionally, for funds over a certain size, donors may select their own investment manager, subject to the approval of the NCCF Board.

NCCF has several distinguishing characteristics: First, we have a Catholic ethic. Our Board of Trustees consists of lay Roman Catholic men and women. Through us, donors can benefit charitable activities that reflect the Gospel, whether these activities serve the ministry of the Catholic Church, specifically, or the larger community. Second, we are national and can arrange for funding charities anywhere within the United States and, under certain circumstances, anywhere in the world. Third, in our perpetual funds, the role of advisor can be passed on indefinitely. Consequently, succeeding generations of one family can remain active in the family's fund.

Our structure fosters a culture of accountability, credibility, and integrity. As a publicly-supported charitable institution, we manage financial resources in an ethical manner so that donated funds are used for their intended purposes.

Services

We provide a comprehensive array of services to donors and charitable organizations. By establishing funds with us or by taking advantage of our planned giving services, you benefit from our fiduciary, administrative, and investment expertise. You also enjoy the satisfaction of participating in a national community of donors.

NCCF can help you establish a fund to meet your philanthropic needs. We provide many benefits for donors, including:

• The opportunity for multi-generational philanthropy. Donor-Advised and Donor-Designated funds allow you to instill your family's philanthropic ethic in your children your children's children by giving them the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process.
• Flexibility to distribute your funds both nationally and internationally
• The resources of experienced individuals in philanthropy, the Catholic Church, and finance
• Economy of scale in investments and our investment expertise
• An opportunity to serve the community

There are no start-up costs to establish a fund. Once created, anyone may add to a fund. Funds are assessed an annual administrative fee (see table below) or $500 minimum annually -- and an investment fee determined by the investment manager. Extraordinary expenses for legal, consulting or program services are charged against the individual fund.

Catalog of Ministries

The phrase, "We shall know our faith through her ministries," inspired the idea of a Catalog of Ministries for donors.

Our catalog is continually growing. It is provided here to help inform and inspire you to become engaged in philanthropy. Our hope is that you will get involved. The rewards will be great.

If you wish to contribute to an organization with an existing NCCF fund (noted with a star), if you wish to create a fund to benefit an organization, or if you wish to contribute to NCCF's mission, please contact us.

If you wish to make a individual contribution to any organization, please contact the organization directly.

Click below to view each category of ministry:

Education
Health Services
Religion
Social Services

Click here to search for a specific subcategory for Other Ministries

Click here to search for a specific ministry/organization

Reprinted with the permission of Mr. Edward Robinson, President, National Catholic Community Foundation