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Ways to Invest

The goal of the Sierra Madre Community Foundation (SMCF) is to encourage support of the community through philanthropic gifts. By partnering with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to help meet their charitable giving objectives, gifts to SMCF can have a lasting impact on Sierra Madre as a community, enriching the quality of life and preserving Sierra Madre as a strong and vibrant place to live and work. 

SMCF offers a variety of giving opportunities tailored to every donor’s intentions. The Foundation can provide help to determine the best giving avenue and help donors translate their charitable goals into grants that make significant community impact. Gifts to the Sierra Madre Community Foundation qualify for charitable tax benefits.

Investing Opportunities

Below is a brief overview of the investing in Sierra Madre options available through the Sierra Madre Community Foundation (SMCF).

  • The Foundation relies on annual gift support to sustain our all-volunteer operations and community charitable activities. By giving to the Sierra Madre Community Foundation, you essentially hire expert volunteers to direct your gifts in Sierra Madre where they are sure to do the most good. It is our job to know the needs of the community. And with the collective knowledge of our Board, you can be sure that SMCF grants will have a lasting impact. You may direct your giving to specific Special Project Fund, general gifts to fund the Grants, or the permanent Endowment Fund.

  • As the fiduciary custodian of funds for other groups, you may choose to donate one of our Special Project Funds. Current examples of these Special Project funds are the Fletcher Fund which focuses on repair and maintenance of Mt. Wilson Trail, the Fix the Middle School Field fund which focuses on improvements to the Sierra Madre Middle School field, the Fourth of July fund which offsets the costs of the annual parade and festivities, or many others.

  • General donations help the Community Foundation fund the Grant Requests that come in. A General Donation entrusts the Board of Directors to allow various worthwhile requests to be funded during each year. Click here to see some of our past Grants.

  • Donors who wish to ensure the lasting impact of their charitable interests may contribute to the Permanent Endowment Fund, from which SMCF makes annual grants while preserving the principal.

  • Legacy gifts can provide a lasting memorial of a loved one through charitable contributions that are maintained long-term by the Foundation. Legacy gifts may support any of the above giving types. Legacy gifts may be established as:

    -A bequest from a Will or Living Trust

    -Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)

    -Retirement assets

    -Life insurance

    -Other charitable giving options

  • Many companies offer an employee gift match program. Ask your HR Department if they will match your gift to SMCF.

    Contributions to the Sierra Madre Community Foundation may be made in cash, appreciated stocks, real estate, life insurance, or other tangible assets. Please contact a member of the Board to discuss your philanthropic intention and possible means of achieving these goals through SMCF.