For Donors
We're here to help you explore your philanthropic goals.
Start a Fund
Since 1982, we’ve helped people turn their passions into Santa Cruz County success stories. We invite you to join them.
Plan Your Legacy
Plan today to give forever. Your generosity can continue to improve Santa Cruz County for generations to come.
Give Now
Whatever issue is close to your heart, count on us to support your generosity in whatever ways work best for you. Additionally, our expert team can help you set up a Donor-Advised Fund or use other charitable tools so you can support the causes you care about.
Discover how your generosity can support ongoing progress in Santa Cruz County.
You can give directly to an existing fund.
Start a Fund
When you start a fund at Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, you can give to the nonprofits that are dear to your heart in the most tax advantaged way for your unique needs. Join many of your neighbors in making this a better place - now, and in the future by setting up a fund.
For individuals, families, and businesses that want to be actively involved in supporting nonprofits.
A fund invested to grow over time while continually generating earnings to support charitable causes.
Honor a loved one or create a legacy for your family while helping local students pursue their higher education dreams.
Through Corporate Donor-Advised Funds, we provide expertise on tax-wise tools, back-office services, and community benefit.
Plan Your Legacy
Giving through your will or living trust can create lasting impact. Contributions can be made with a wide variety of assets, including cash, securities, real estate, retirement accounts, and more. Including Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in your estate plan is an easy way for you to address community needs by creating a legacy that will support the causes you care about—forever.
A Memorandum of Charitable Intent (MOCI) adds flexibility to your estate plan so you can easily adjust your giving as your charitable interests change over the years.
We can help with crafting language to have charities named directly in your Will or Trust.
We can help you craft language for your beneficiary designations
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a contract where you transfer assets to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in exchange for a fixed annual income for life.
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is an irrevocable trust established by a donor in exchange for annual payments to the designated beneficiaries.
If you are age 70½ or older, you can give from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) directly to a charity with a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).
Let's Chat
Join the giving community in Santa Cruz County.
Our Donor Services Director, Hilary Bryant, can guide you, as needed, as you choose where you want to put your generosity to work.