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Ways to Give
  
Create a Supporting Organization


WHAT IS A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION?
Supporting organizations are operated exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of one or more specified public charities. Community foundations are often — though not always — the public charities supported by these types of organizations.

Supporting organizations are complex legal entities, and in simplest terms can be described as a "hybrid" of a donor-advised fund (see Give to or through a Community Foundation) and a private foundation (see Create a Private Foundation). There are three basic types of supporting organizations, and each option reserves a varying degree of the supporting organization’s governance for the trustees of the beneficiary charity.

Because of the complex nature of supporting organizations, it is important that you consult a professional advisor for further information and guidance.

     

NEXT STEPS

PUBLICATIONS
The book "Legal Compendium for Community Foundations," published by the national Council on Foundations, contains an excellent chapter on supporting organizations. It is available for $55. For details, see Giving Resources.

HELP
The Minnesota Council on Foundations is available for one-on-one consultations. Contact the Council at 612.338.1989 or info@mcf.org.

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