Creating Lasting Legacies Through the Community Foundation

“By opening a fund of this kind, you not only honor a person or cause, but you also create a powerful legacy that continues to strengthen and inspire the community for generations to come,” explained Nick Grimmer, chief development officer at the Community Foundation. “We currently support about 550 unique charitable funds. Our close, personal interactions with individuals, families and businesses are the reason they choose to partner with the Community Foundation and is what sets us apart from others. Our team of experts works with each fundholder to turn philanthropic goals into impactful, lasting change.”

Funds that help preserve legacies

A Celebration Fund is a charitable fund established to mark significant milestones or honor special occasions in someone's life, such as anniversaries, birthdays, marriages, graduations or retirements. This fund allows individuals to commemorate these events by supporting causes or projects meaningful to the honoree(s). The Community Foundation provides a personalized fund page with photos and special messaging, enabling donors to share the fund and encourage contributions from friends, family and colleagues. 

A Memorial Fund is established to honor the memory of a loved one. This fund enables immediate collection of donations, often during funeral services and memorial events. These donations are then used to support causes or projects that reflect the passions and values of loved ones honored. The Community Foundation will provide fund information to include in obituaries or event materials and set up an online giving page to accept donations. Community Foundation staff collaborate with families to determine the optimal use of the collected funds, ensuring alignment with the loved one's legacy. Memorial funds may also be converted to a traditional donor-advised fund or scholarship fund, which can be established to provide lasting impact. 

 Both memorial and celebration funds offer numerous benefits: 

• Personalized Legacy: Align contributions with causes that reflect personal passions or those of a loved one.
• Community Support: Provide ongoing assistance to local nonprofits, fostering community growth and well-being.
• Tax Deductibility: All donations made to these funds are tax-deductible, offering financial benefits to donors.
• Online Fundholder Portal: A new self-service online portal allows fundholders to be more actively engaged in their philanthropy with real-time access to fund information.

Meet the Moylan Family

In loving memory of their beloved daughter, the Moylan family established the Alivia Paige Moylan Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2020 to honor her legacy and spirit. 

Tragically taken too soon, Alivia touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, compassion and determination. The scholarship aims to support Whitesboro High School students who plan to pursue an education in healthcare — including veterinary healthcare, of which Alivia dreamed of studying — ensuring that her impact continues to inspire and empower future generations. Through this fund, the family hopes to create opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams, just as their daughter once did. 

"Our hope is that we can impact the community by showing them that, through our grief, we are doing something good and continue to build a base of future supporters," said Virginia Moylan, Alivia's mother. "Through this scholarship fund, we want to help students achieve their dreams and understand that giving back is something that they should strive for as they mature and grow." 

By working closely with the Community Foundation, the Moylan family hopes to make a lasting impact, supporting causes and individuals that reflect the values and passions Alivia held dear.  

"The Community Foundation is a one-stop resource to educate fundholders on setting up, managing and giving back through various types of funds," she explained. "Our family has had a wonderful experience working with the team at the Community Foundation. They have really helped us to understand the process of how to make our fund last well into the future." 

Establishing a fund with the Community Foundation

The Community Foundation offers a user-friendly process for individuals interested in establishing a memorial or celebration fund. Prospective donors can explore the Community Foundation's website for information about setting up a fund, including templates of fund agreements, minimums, fees, and investment options. The website features interactive tools that help donors customize their goals and identify the types of funds that align with their philanthropic aspirations.   

“We pride ourselves on being flexible,” explains Grimmer. “We’re always happy to meet with fundholders and their financial advisors. Additionally, there are no fees for planning or consultations—whether it's having a conversation over coffee or preparing paperwork, there’s zero cost to set up a fund at the Community Foundation.” 

Article originally published in the Daily Sentinel on April 8, 2025.