Memorandum of Charitable Intent

A MOCI is a simple document that we help you create. It describes how you wish us to distribute charitable gifts from your will, living trust, beneficiary designation, or other charitable planned gift. You can direct your estate gift to create a new endowed fund, be added to an existing endowed fund, or to be distributed directly to a nonprofit organization of your choice. Your MOCI is easy to update anytime, without having to engage your lawyer.

Many people find it helpful to start thinking about their MOCI before talking with us. If you would like to get a head start on your plan, this worksheet and the questions below can help you think about organizations and issues you would like to support. It is only a starting point; there are no wrong answers! We will follow up with you to answer questions, explain options, and discuss your wishes.

Issues You Care About

Are there issues or areas of interest that you would like to support with your gift to the Foundation? (e.g. Access to Health Services, Preserving the Environment, Supporting the Arts….).

The Foundation has a number of endowed funds designed to collect gifts from donors who share a common interest. Some of these funds were seeded by the Foundation, others by individual donors. The Foundation determines which nonprofits will receive support from these funds. Please indicate if you would like to know more about any the endowed funds which focus on the following areas of interest:

• Animal Welfare
• Arts and Culture
• Early Childhood and Childcare
• Children and Youth
• Community Development
• Educational Advancement
• Environment
• Health
• Historic Preservation
• Human Services
• LGBTQ Community Services
• Pajaro Valley
• San Lorenzo Valley
• Seniors
• Women and Girls

Organizations You Care About

Are there specific nonprofit organizations that you would like to support with your gift to the Foundation? These nonprofits can be located outside Santa Cruz County, if desired.

You may instruct us to add to an endowed fund for any organization. The Foundation holds endowments for 50 local organizations. Each fund was started either by the organization itself or by a donor for that organization’s benefit. These organizations receive annual distributions from the Foundation, per our spending policy.

You may also instruct us to start an endowment for an organization. We look forward to hearing about the organizations you care about.

Download the Worksheet

Please note: There is no charge for creating or updating a MOCI. There is a one-time 2% Bequest Fee at the time the assets are received by the Foundation.