It starts with a conversation. One of our Donor Services advisors can connect with you and/or your client—over the phone, virtually, or in-person—to discuss their charitable goals, as well as any wealth management or estate planning objectives. Based on those goals, we develop a flexible, efficient, and tax-effective plan to establish a named charitable fund—now or through their estate—that will enable them to achieve the greatest possible impact. 

The Columbus Foundation offers an array of investment options through a long-established relationship with Vanguard. The Columbus Foundation also works with more than 30 approved investment partners to manage fund investment for funds with a balance of $100,000 or more. Approved investment agents can also be named as the preferred investment agent for eligible future testamentary funds established through estate plans. Investment fees vary based on the investment agent and investment vehicles used. The Columbus Foundation does not benefit from investment fees. 

Investment Guidelines and Options | Investment Performance  

The Columbus Foundation charges an administrative fee on funds based on the amount of work required to administer different types of funds. Administrative fees directly support the mission of The Columbus Foundation as we work to assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.   

Administrative Fees 

If you are working with a client who values accessible customer service, unbiased investment flexibility, community expertise, philanthropic planning services, educational programming, or the ability to join a community of charitably inclined individuals, a charitable fund at The Columbus Foundation is a good fit! Commercial gift funds can be an ideal solution for clients who are looking for a purely transactional grantmaking experience. The Columbus Foundation has slightly higher administrative fees than most commercial gift fund sponsors, but those fees go directly toward facilitating an optimal donor experience while advancing our mission of strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents. 

If your client already has a DAF with a commercial gift fund sponsor and is not entirely happy with the experience, it’s not too late to transition all or part of their DAF assets to a fund at The Columbus Foundation. 

A DAF is an attractive alternative to a private foundation. Private foundations come with regulatory and reporting requirements. With a DAF, our Donor Services team takes care of all administrative burdens, freeing your clients to focus on the rewarding experience of supporting their favorite causes. Additionally, DAFs offer optimal tax benefits and privacy due to The Columbus Foundation’s status as a public charity. And if it’s important that your client’s grants come from a “foundation,” they can simply name their DAF the [Name] Family Foundation!  

If your client already has a private foundation, it’s not too late to transition all or part of the private foundation assets to a fund at The Columbus Foundation.  

No. Grants from Columbus Foundation funds can support any qualified public charity in the United States. Many of our funds support nonprofits in different states, including where donors grew up or have retired. Our Scholarship Funds impact students across the United States. Donors can even support nonprofits doing work internationally. Many international organizations have U.S. affiliates, to which fund advisors may be able to recommend a grant. For additional fees, The Columbus Foundation can use an international intermediary to assist in making grants to an international nongovernment organization.