Our Mission and History

The Foundation was incorporated in 1998 to serve both donors and charities, primarily in the greater Bozeman area. Originally known as The Planned Giving Foundation of Montana, the name was updated in late 2002 to better describe the purpose.

The Foundation serves donors. It facilitates local philanthropy in general, carrying out donor wishes in an impartial manner without any race, creed, or religious or political affiliation. One of its best roles is permanently holding a large donation and annually distributing investment earnings among local charities. Such accounts are often called "donor advised funds" because typically the donor advises the Foundation Board of the donor s recommendations. In this way a donor may establish a large tax deductible gift, yet still have the ability to alter distribution recommendations in future years - sort of a donate now and decide beneficiaries later flexibility. The donor may also request that earnings from his or her perpetual gift be split among more than one charity.

The Foundation also serves charities, functioning as a high level bookkeeper for charities that do not want the complexity of accounting for endowment funds.

• The Foundation serves only as a conduit; it has no bias, no projects of its own and is not raising money for itself.
• The Foundation's articles and bylaws limit distributions to 501 (c)(3) approved and similar organizations.
• Donors who obtained special tax credits agreed to an additional restriction that the distributions primarily serve Montana citizens.

The Foundation has a goal of low overhead expenses and therefore generally prefers to avoid the bookkeeping expense of small accounts. Its main focus is to assist donors make larger or more complicated gifts for the benefit of the community. The Board of Directors prefers a minimum gift of $25,000 to create a new separate endowment account. Smaller gifts may be added to existing accounts, including a broad purpose account.

As of December 2002, the Foundation enjoyed a minimal overhead and hopes to remain frugal. Volunteer efforts are welcomed. Copies of IRS and MDOR letters granting tax free status are readily available. All records (except anonymous confidential donor names) and policies are similarly open to the public. Board members are available to meet with local nonprofit organizations.