The Foundation receives gifts for two general categories of funds: unrestricted and restricted.

Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted gifts, large and small, are very important for the support of the activities of the Foundation. These funds enable the trustees to be flexibly responsive to the current grant-making needs of the community. They also support services to donors, management responsibilities and other activities of the Foundation.

Unrestricted gifts can be permanent or temporary. The temporary gifts are held until new grant requests are reviewed and distribution decisions made. Gifts can also be made to permanent endowment funds, which continually produce income for the unrestricted use of the Foundation. The General Unrestricted Endowment Fund was the first fund established in the Foundation when it began its work in 1974.

Restricted Funds
Designated Funds. Allow the donor to support specific, qualified organizations during the donor's lifetime and beyond. If the named organization changes its purpose, or ceases to exist, the Foundation trustees will find ways to continue to carry out the donor's charitable intent.

Field of Interest Funds. Allow the donor to support grant-making purposes of their choice. Some examples are support for the arts, education, senior citizens, the environment, recreation, affordable housing, and youth philanthropy.

Donor Advised Funds. These funds allow donors to make suggestions for grants to specific charities. The donors can use the Foundation's experience and knowledge to assist them in identifying the needs of the community.

Scholarship Funds. This an ideal way to establish a permanent legacy in memory of a loved one or to honor a member of the community. Sometimes, rather than a scholarship, there can be an award for educational achievement and to help increase the capacity of students to be successful in higher education. Scholarship and Award funds can be established by organizations or families or individuals. The donor can help organize the advisory committee and may even be involved in announcing the awarding of the funds.