Starting a charitable fund allows you to choose what works best for you and your charitable goals.
There are a variety of fund options to choose from.
A donor-advised fund allows you the flexibility of giving to a variety of charities over a period of time, while a designated fund allows you to specify charities you would like the fund to support during the lifetime of the fund.
Types of funds and current funds with Sweet Grass Community Foundation are listed below.
A donor-advised fund (DAF) allows the donor(s) to play an active role in grantmaking for the lifetime of the fund, while receiving tax benefits now.
Current donor-advised fund:
The Sweet Grass Random Needs Fund was established to assist with community projects. It provided the donor with tax benefits when the gift was made without the stress of determining where the donation(s) should go before the end of the year.
A designated fund provides permanent support for a specified charitable organization(s). For many donors, this is an ideal way to provide ongoing support for organizations that they have supported over the years.
Current designated funds:
The Hansen fund is a designated fund established by Joe and Joan Hansen to provide funding for the charitable organizations they specified upon establishing the fund. This makes annual giving very easy for the Hansens and provides their favorite organizations funding each year.
This project was completed in the early fall of 2018 but the fund will continue to be available to assist in maintenance costs for the court, hoops, etc. into the future. If you'd like to donate to this fund, please indicate City Park Basketball Court when making your donation.
A field of interest fund allows donors to focus their charitable giving on a specific cause or area of interest, such as the arts, education or the environment, with the foundation's expertise ensuring grants are made effectively.
Current field of interest funds:
The field of interest funds allows the donor(s) to specify areas of interest when establishing their fund and the Foundation has the discretion to make grants within the donor’s interest area(s). The Health, Environment, Education fund is an endowed Field of Interest Fund with the Foundation and was able to assist the grade school and county weed department in the first year of granting.
The Sweet Grass County Partners in Education Fund provides support for projects, equipment, physical improvements and educational opportunities not otherwise available through the annual legislated education budget. This enables local educators to think and dream beyond the limits set by the tax-based budget, and to implement teaching innovations that excite and engage students, staff, and the community. This financial assistance will give students opportunities for unique educational experiences not readily available in Sweet Grass County.
Agency funds are established at Sweet Grass Community Foundation by nonprofit organizations to provide annual income for the charities themselves, relieving them of the responsibility of managing their investments.
Current agency funds:
Sweet Grass Recycle's mission is to ensure our community's quality of life by using the principles of reducing, reuse, recycle and repurpose. It promotes opportunities within the community to retrieve and collect recyclables at little or no cost; and provides education on the importance of recycling.
Recycle bins are available to use at no charge for any local event or gathering. Please continue to bring household batteries to ACE Hardware. Visit the transfer site at 19 Timber Lane to dispose of other recyclable items.
Contact sweetgrassrecycle@itstriangle.com with questions.
Agency funds are established by nonprofit organizations to provide annual income for the charity themselves. The Friends of Dornix Park Fund is a non-endowed fund that was established to assist with future costs of Dornix Park.
The Sweet Grass Cancer Alliance was formed to support individuals in our community undergoing treatment for cancer. The group’s goals include raising money, providing financial assistance, increasing access to resources, and creating a supportive environment.
If you or someone you know is going through cancer treatment and needs financial assistance, help is available. Applications for financial assistance are available by contacting Ann Tyler at 932-4373, Linda Larson at 932-4219, or by clicking here to download a PDF of the application. All requests for financial assistance will remain confidential.
Project funds are established at Sweet Grass Community Foundation with qualified organizations for a specific community project. Donors can make contributions to the project fund at the foundation and disbursements are made from the fund to cover expenses of the specific project. This type of fund provides local, qualified organizations more opportunities to fulfill their mission and make a difference in our community.
Current project funds:
This project fund was established to make improvements to the grade school playground. The initial phase was to replace all of the gravel with pads, improving the play area, and making it safer for the kids. Padding was also purchased to wrap the poles on the playground to improve safety. Donations can be made to the Foundation for this project fund, just indicate BTGS Playground fund when making your donation.
The Civic Center Project Fund is in place to assist in the renovations needed in the Civic Center. This community building is used by all ages and for a wide range of activities, from sports and concerts, to bazaars and fairs, and serves as a location for civic duties and blood draws. This fund will allow donors who wish to support this community effort to make tax-deductible donations and for the renovation committee to apply for grants that may not otherwise be available.