Richmond Christian Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

Generous Givers

Nonprofit Fundraisers

Planned Giving

Frequently Asked Questions for Donors

  • What is a community foundation?

    Richmond Christian Foundation is a public charity that is dedicated to supporting outreach to those hurting among us through philanthropic giving. We bring together, grow, and deploy the financial, creative, and problem-solving resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support the work of local ministries throughout Greater Richmond. 

  • How does a Donor Advised Fund work?

    Your Donor Advised Fund serves as your personal giving fund-- a combination charitable investment account and your own family foundation. Here’s how it works:

    • You make a tax-deductible charitable gift to Richmond Christian Foundation. 
    • That amount is credited to your Donor Advised Fund, which we invest for you. You may designate your Fund to be invested one or more of our four  investment funds. Fund portfolio objectives include Growth Fund, 60/40 Balanced Fund, Conservative Fund, and our Income Fund.
    • At any time you can contact us directly to recommend a grant be made from the balance of your account to the nonprofit organization of your choice: ministry, church, school, etc.
    • The nonprofit organization receives payment from us along with a letter that lets them know the gift came from your fund (or you can choose to remain anonymous). 

  • What kind of assets can I donate?

    Cash gifts are easy, but other gift types offer unique tax benefits. You can donate many types of assets, with all proceeds going to your Donor Advised Fund: stock and mutual find shares, real estate, physical property, business ownership, life insurance, and more. 

    Unique to Richmond Christian Foundation, we invite you to donate your IRA’s required minimum distribution.

  • Are there any minimums to open a Donor Advised Fund or a minimum grant size?

    Your Donor Advised Fund may be opened with a $5,000 initial gift; minimum grant size is $250. Your fund is opened when you donate your first gift of cash or non-cash assets to Richmond Christian Foundation. 


  • Are there restrictions on when I have to give the money away?

    No. You can give it all away at once, or your Donor Advised Fund can grow for years in the market while you decide when and who you want to support. For these reasons, many donors now "bunch" multiple years' current and future giving to allow them to itemize tax deductions, reduce taxes in a high earnings year, and to reduce or avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of investment assets, real estate, or business interests.

  • Can I give to causes that aren’t explicitly faith-based?

    Yes. We ask our Donor Advised Fund holders to orient their giving so that roughly 50% of their overall giving goes to Christian ministries. Our fundholders use their fund to support their church, inner city ministries, schools, and a variety of charities that benefit the community. 

  • Can I pass my Donor Advised Fund to the next generation?

    Yes! Your Donor Advised Fund can outlive you. Long after you’re in Heaven, your children and grandchildren can carry on your passion for  Christian stewardship. It would be our joy to assist you with this and with all the other aspects of your legacy estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and medical directives.

  • Can I make grants to an individual from my fund?

    No. In general, only qualified organizations (nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, etc.) may receive a grant from your fund. Some fundholders support individuals through a sponsoring organization (for example, helping to fund a missionary). 

  • Is there any reason why my grant recommendation might be declined?

    Generally, no; however, to comply with government regulations, Richmond Christian Foundation cannot approve donor-recommended grants that provide anything more than an incidental benefit to the donor, or supports lobbying, political campaigns, or other political activities, or supports a charitable event that could constitute a quid pro quo arrangement (e.g. tickets to a golf outing or fundraising dinner). Additionally, Richmond Christian Foundation will not approve a grant recommendation to an organization that is directly hostile to or contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

  • What fees does Richmond Christian Foundation charge for a Donor Advised Fund?

    Our investment funds have an annual administrative fee which starts at 1.25% on the first $500,000 and scales down to 0.50% on fund balances of $3,000,000 or more. 

    Through our continued growth and financial strength, all surplus funds from operations and fees are added to the Richmond Community Trust. 

Frequently Asked Questions for Fundraising Organizations

  • What is a community foundation?

    Richmond Christian Foundation is a public charity that is dedicated to supporting outreach that extends to those who are hurting among us. We bring together the financial, creative, and problem-solving resources of donors, family-owned  businesses, advisors and ministries to meet the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and families throughout Metro Richmond.

  • Are there any minimums to open an endowment?

    No, there is no minimum amount needed to open an endowment fund with Richmond Christian Foundation. 

  • How much would an endowment pay to our organization annually?

    We encourage a 4-5% annual distribution from your fund. You decide on either annual or quarterly payments. Based on historic investment returns, this commitment will generally allow the principal of your fund to grow in perpetuity. 

  • Do you have other funds that may be of value to our organization?

    Yes. Our “Single Entity Fund” is a great resource you can offer your donors to contribute a variety of gift types: stock and mutual fund shares, real estate, physical assets, etc. Unlike an endowment, you may withdraw any amount at any time. 

    This fund, prudently invested by Richmond Christian Foundation, is a great alternative to having large sums of money sitting in no-interest or low-interest bearing bank accounts.

  • How else can you help us fundraise?

    Even though the average American has 97% of their wealth in non-cash assets, most organizations feel uncertain how to ask for and receive non-cash gifts. 

    We have the resources and the expertise to help you help your donors make non-cash and complex gifts to your organization. When you have an endowment with Richmond Christian Foundation you receive our full support at no cost.  

    The next time a donor asks you about a complex charitable gift idea or calls with a tough gift planning question, you can simply say: “Let me contact my planned giving office and I’ll get back to you.” Then pick up the phone and give us a call!

  • What fees does Richmond Christian Foundation charge for an endowment fund?

    Our endowment funds have an annual administrative fee which starts at 1.25% on the first $500,000 and scales down to 0.50% on fund balances of $3,000,000 or more. 



Frequently Asked Questions About Planned Giving

  • What is planned giving?

    The pressing need to attend to the urgency of the annual fund can consume the fundraiser’s focus, often to the neglect of the largest single gifts an organization will ever receive: a planned gift. 

    A planned gift—as suggested by its name—is an intentional gift, given often through a will, estate plan, trust, or beneficiary designation, which typically seeks to take advantage of the tax benefits associated with certain types of charitable giving. 

    Irrevocable split-interest gifts pay income to your donor for a period of years, with the remainder going to your organization at death. These planned gifts are compelling in that they provide a tax-advantaged income stream for your donors, and a guaranteed future gift to your endowment which will undergird your missional work in the years to come.


  • What are some examples of planned gifts?

     A planned gift can be as simple as a donor naming your organization as a beneficiary under their will or estate plan. 

    Some planned gifts, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, pay donors tax-advantaged income during their lifetimes, with the remainder of the gift paid to your organization upon the donor's death or the completion of the agreement. 

    Other planned gifts involve personal property, allowing a donor to receive a tax benefit for donating a primary residence or a vacation home to an organization while still being allowed to live in the home until their death. 

    There are many other types of tax-advantaged planned giving arrangements. We are available to answer your questions and to help you successfully discuss appropriate planned giving solutions with your donors.

  • How does Richmond Christian Foundation assist our organization with planned giving?

    Donor advised funds are today's most popular tax-advantaged gifting strategy. We  help your donors open their personal giving fund with a simple signed application and investment policy statement.  

    In the cases of certain complex gifts, the engagement of client-paid legal counsel is required. in these situations, RCF will serve as an educational resource for you, your donor, and the donor's legal counsel. 

    Most importantly, RCF will serve your organization in its ongoing efforts to educate and motivate your staff, your board, and your donors regarding the benefits and the blessings of legacy gift planning.

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