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Become a Donor

GivingDonors › Become a Donor

Meeting your philanthropic goals requires careful consideration. But getting started as a donor at MCF is a simple process. We have developed five questions to help you think about your charitable giving. Your philanthropic advisor will always be available to answer other questions and to help guide your giving.

5 Questions to Get Started

You might find it helpful to explore your charitable giving by thinking about these five questions. MCF can meet with you to talk about these or any other questions you may have.

1: Where do I start?

A call to the Foundation will connect you with a philanthropic planner who can help you think through all aspects of charitable giving. We can be reached at 415.464.2500. We're also available to meet with you along with your financial planner, estate attorney, CPA, or other financial advisor.

2: What are my goals?

You might want to develop a plan that introduces your children to charitable giving, or you might want to support an issue that plays a significant role in your life. The staff at the Foundation can help you home in on what you want to accomplish through your philanthropy.

3: When will I give?

You might want to start giving immediately, or you may want to incorporate charitable giving into your estate plans. Either way, MCF has the tools and expertise to help you achieve what you want to do, when you want to do it.

4: What will I give?

You can contribute a wide variety of assets into a charitable fund at the Foundation, which then become available for grants that you can recommend anywhere in the world. We accept cash, securities, life insurance, real estate, and other assets.

5: What do I want to support?

You might want to support organizations that benefit kids in your own community or environmental issues where you grew up. Whatever the issue or location, MCF's philanthropic advisors can help you target the organizations and programs that help you make the most of your giving.

 

Fees

MCF's competitive fees offer a cost-effective way to achieve your charitable goals

How to Give

Learn about the types of funds that MCF offers, the kinds of assets you can contribute, how to build giving into your legacy planning, and much more.

 

Comparing Your Charitable Options

You have many choices concerning the best ways to achieve your charitable and financial goal. We have provided an easy way to see the advantages of a donor-advised fund or supporting organization at the Marin Community Foundation compared to other charitable options.

 

New Fund Worksheet

Use the MCF New Fund Worksheet to start the process of opening a donor-advised online at any time.
Or, you can download a PDF of this worksheet to fill out and send in — or you can use it as a guide as you complete the worksheet online.

Fill out and submit the form online

Click on the icon to the right to download the New Fund Worksheet.

 

Finding an Advisor

If you're looking for an advisor familiar with charitable giving, you can download our list of attorneys, CPAs, and other experts.

Click on the icon to the right to download a list of advisors familiar with charitable giving.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Your Contact for Giving through MCF

Vice President for Philanthropic Services

Elizabeth Brown

Vice President for Philanthropic Services

415.464.2517

"MCF's donor-advised fund platform has made our charitable gifting more efficient and virtually effortless. And the GuideStar database makes investigating our gifting options comprehensive."

Bruce Raabe
Raabe Family Fund,
Donor at MCF since 2007