Professional Advisors FAQ

Community foundations serve a specific geographic area; in Iowa that may mean a particular city, county or region. No matter what area is being served, there are some distinct features that serve as common threads for all of Iowa’s community foundations.

Below are answers to frequently asked questions from professional advisors. If your question isn’t answered below – or if you’re ready to learn more – please reach out to your local community foundation or contact the Iowa Council of Foundations.

First, they receive personalized service. Community foundations make giving easy, flexible and effective, accepting a wide variety of gifts and providing donors the greatest flexibility in meeting charitable giving goals. Your clients can contribute cash, stocks, property, and bequests. They may establish an Unrestricted, Field of Interest, Designated or Donor-Advised Fund in their name or in the name of a loved one. Your client's gift will gain the maximum tax advantage under state and federal law – including the Endow Iowa Tax Credit on eligible gifts.

Your clients gain local expertise. Community foundations have staff members dedicated to understanding local issues and areas of need in their communities. They monitor all areas including human services, education, the environment, healthcare, the arts and economic development. Community foundations can help educate your clients on issues important to them and connect your clients with local nonprofits and programs.

Community foundations in Iowa continuously seek the highest standards in terms of legal, ethical and effective practices. Iowa community foundations involved and highlighted within this website either have been confirmed in compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations or are affiliated with a nationally accredited community foundation. You can learn more here.

Iowa community foundations offer maximum tax benefits, including a possible 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit on eligible gifts made to endowment funds.

Your local community foundation can share more information about the benefits of working with them. To locate the community foundation in your area, please check out this map.