Endowment Fund

Our Endowment Fund is a unique vehicle for anyone who would like to make a long-term impact in Somerset. It will provide local communities with a sustainable and independent funding resource to help them meet the needs of today and far into the future.

It is managed through SCF Endowment, a registered charity set up by the Foundation which recruited a Board of Trustees specifically for this purpose. They oversee the careful stewardship of the donors’ interests and have appointed an independent Financial Advisor to manage the investment according to our investment policy (available on request).

There are a variety of options for donors to consider as the best way to make a lasting difference through our Endowment Fund.

Option 1: Named Fund
A Named Fund offers all the flexibility of a private charitable trust, but you can benefit from the Foundation’s local knowledge and professional grant-making to maximise your impact. The Foundation will look after all of the legal and administrative responsibilities for the Fund, while you remain as involved as you wish in the grant-making process.

Creating a Named Fund is very simple, with little paperwork involved. We will work with you to understand, and perhaps help you clarify, your charitable objectives, the types of project you would like to support and the level of involvement you are seeking. The fund can be set up in the name of your choice, or anonymously if you wish.

Named Funds can be set up with a minimum donation of £25,000, and can be built over several years.

Named Funds can also be created by the transfer of existing trusts to give them a more secure future, maximise their income generation and increase their impact on the ground. Existing trustees may remain involved in how the fund is used, while handing over legal and administrative responsibilities to Somerset Community Foundation. We can also work with trustees and the Charity Commission to update or revise the objectives set for a fund if it is felt that they are no longer relevant or achievable.

If you like the idea of a Named Fund, but feel unable to commit to one now, you may wish to consider creating a legacy. You should seek legal advice on the creation or amendment of your will, but we would be happy to discuss with you how we could help you fulfil your wishes after your death.

Option 2: Themed Fund
You can choose to establish a fund which other donors may contribute and help build. It may be a fund for a particular purpose or to benefit a particular area. From time to time we may instigate our own Themed Funds. By pooling your donation with others, you can increase the overall impact of your giving.  We currently have the following Themed Funds:

Team Somerset 500 Club
Led by Cllr Alan Gloak, Chairman of Somerset County Council, local businesses and families are invited to join the Team Somerset 500 Club with a minimum donation of £500 a year.

Each donation is split 50/50 between a short-tem fund to support the most talented athletes in Somerset maximising their chances of joining Team GB at the London Olympics. Preference is given to athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds, and an endowment-based fund to support community projects promoting healthy lifestyles, particularly through participation in sport and physical exercise.

Option 3: General Endowment Fund
Donations to the General Endowment Fund will be used to support a wide range of community issues across Somerset. The revenue generated for grant-making will support our independent grant-making, for example the Somerset Giving Fund and our Rural Fund.

The General Endowment Fund gives us the flexibility to respond to the changing needs of local communities, particularly to support causes overlooked by other funders and to support new and innovative projects.

One way to support the General Endowment Fund is to join our Somerset Guardians scheme. Click here for more information. Equally one-off donations would be very welcome.