FAQ
Lasting value
Herb and Rhea Trittenbach were committed to helping their neighbors. Their unrestricted gift to the Foundation will continue to serve the region they loved forever.
Read the story>>Frequently asked questions
Have a question about Placer Community Foundation? Browse through our frequently asked questions below, or look for an answer to questions about grants or giving. If you don’t find what you are looking for, please contact us. We are happy to answer any question, large or small.
What is Placer Community Foundation?
Placer Community Foundation is a nonprofit community corporation created to serve the residents of the western slope of Placer County. Our mission is to encourage philanthropy for the betterment of communities in our region.
With our philanthropic partners, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations and public institutions with funds for many areas of community life: arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services. We also administer scholarships.
The Foundation provides you with a simple, convenient and flexible way to make a positive difference, now and far into the future. We manage 19 funds for individuals, families and corporations. The combined assets of the Foundation and its supporting organization are now approximately $5 million. A gift through the Foundation receives maximum tax deductions, outstanding investment management and very low administrative costs.
Is a community foundation a new kind of charity?
No—but you might think so, because of its growing popularity in recent years. The first community foundation was established in Cleveland in 1914. Placer Community Foundation was established in 2003. Today we join a field of more than 700 community foundations across the United States, with combined assets of approximately $45 billion.
Who establishes funds at Placer Community Foundation?
Most funds managed at Placer Community Foundation are set up by individuals, some wealthy, others of more modest means. What these people have in common is a desire to give back to their community—whether it’s protecting the environment, honoring the memory of someone they loved, setting up a scholarship fund to help students in need, supporting local arts organizations, or funding any other charitable cause imaginable.
What are the advantages of donating to Placer Community Foundation?
We allow individuals and families to establish a customized charitable fund without being burdened by the tax liabilities and administrative hassles associated with setting up a private foundation. Everyone who creates a fund can personalize their giving. At the same time, funds are pooled for investment management purposes to minimize costs and achieve a greater return, making it possible for a smaller individual fund to enjoy the same economies of scale as a large independent foundation.
What is the difference between Placer Community Foundation and United Way?
While our organizations share a dedication to serving the people of Placer County, we do so in distinct, often complementary ways. Put simply, United Way raises funds for current community needs, and the Foundation serves donors and builds endowment for current and future community needs.
What is the difference between setting up a private foundation and creating a donor advised fund at Placer Community Foundation?
Creating a private foundation subjects you to a number of regulatory requirements, such as undertaking an exemption application to the IRS, as well as ongoing administrative and fiduciary responsibilities. Giving to a private foundation may result in reduced charitable deductions and a lack of privacy as well. Because Placer Community Foundation is a public charity, the regulations, taxes and administrative requirements required to establish and manage a private foundation do not apply to us.
What is the difference between setting up a gift fund through my investment firm and establishing a fund at Placer Community Foundation?
At Placer Community Foundation, we provide much more than the check-writing services of a commercial gift fund. One of the most significant advantages to setting up a fund with us is our commitment to donors. We provide custom research on nonprofit organizations or issue areas at your request. We will also meet with you individually to help develop a strategic approach to grantmaking. If you are interested in learning more about these personalized services, please contact us.
What kinds of assets can be used to set up a fund at the Foundation?
One of the distinct advantages of working with a Placer Community Foundation is our flexibility. As a general rule, we can accept any type of asset as long it is marketable and is not encumbered by an unusual liability. Most often, funds are started through a gift of cash, real estate or closely held stock—but we may accept gifts of artwork, intellectual property and other personal assets.
Several convenient financial vehicles with different benefits are available for setting up a fund at Placer Community Foundation. We offer charitable trusts and several ways to use retirement funds to reduce estate taxes, provide for income to heirs and establish a charitable legacy. Our staff can help you review planned giving options to identify the one that best suits your needs.