The Community Foundation launched the Planned Giving Service in 1996, with the assistance of the Cemala Foundation, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Hillsdale Fund, Inc., and generous individuals. In 1999 the Community Foundation decided that the Planned Giving Service had served the community in many ways, and that the Foundation would continue this important service on its own. The service provides advice to nonprofit organizations on how to pursue planned gifts and bequests. Community Foundation staff are available to help guide organizations through the process of establishing a planned giving program. The service offers technical information to professional advisors, primarily through the Planned Giving Design Center.
Individuals considering charitable estate planning options also benefit from the service.
Forty percent of the growth of the Community Foundation's own assets during the past three years has come from planned gifts. The goal of the Planned Giving Service is for many other nonprofit organizations to enjoy similar experiences. This Service also learns from and provides information to professional advisors who specialize in charitable estate planning.