Types of Funds

Silicon Valley Community Foundation offers a range of charitable funds, allowing you to choose the vehicle best suited to you and your philanthropic goals.

Because the community foundation is an independent public charity, all contributions are eligible for an immediate tax deduction and many contributions may qualify for a larger tax deduction than those to other charitable entities like private foundations.

With all of our funds, we handle the due diligence, issue the checks and provide staff assistance through a wide range of world-class donor services.

Read on to learn about the many fund types we offer. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person or discuss your options via email or phone. To reach a member of our team, please use the contact information located on the right side of this page.


Type of Fund
How it Works
Initial Donation
Donor Advised Fund
  • Make your charitable giving easier by making grants to your favorite nonprofits from one fund.

$5,000
Committee Advised Funds
  • A small group of like-minded people pool their contributions for a common charitable purpose.

$5,000
Scholarship Funds

Donor Involved Scholarship Fund

  • Actively participate in the scholarship process from beginning to end.

$50,000

Community Foundation Managed Scholarship Fund

  • Donor creates scholarship criteria, but the community foundation staff oversees the entire scholarship process.

$250,000
Field of Interest Fund
  • Create a resource to support the causes you care about - such as the arts, education, health and human services or the environment.

$50,000
Named Endowed Fund
  • Support the communities within Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in perpetuity and leave a lasting legacy.

$50,000
Designated Fund
  • Support your favorite charitable organization in perpetuity or over a set number of years.

$10,000
Memorial Funds
  • Offers a way for you to turn memorial gifts into a lasting legacy of your loved one.

$5,000
(Within six months.)
Individually Managed Fund
  • For donors who prefer to recommend an external investment advisor to manage the fund and ensure its growth.

$3 million
Supporting Organizations
  • Supporting organizations are an option for those with complex philanthropic goals and the desire to create a corporate entity that will perpetuate their philanthropic legacy.

$10 million

Silicon Valley Community Foundation is not engaged in rendering legal, financial, or tax advice. Information in our publications and on our website is provided as a service to provide general information about charitable giving. Many topics related to charitable giving have complexities and nuances that cannot be adequately detailed in brief articles or announcements. Individuals’ personal situations may vary. Please consult your financial or legal advisor. Performance data is based on past performance and is no guarantee of future results. If you would like to report discrepancies with the information presented, please contact us at info@siliconvalleycf.org.