Giving to Increase Educational Opportunities
A scholarship fund is a tax-free investment account that generates a source of charitable dollars to help reduce financial barriers for people seeking to advance their post-secondary education, while typically granting you tax benefits.
At the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) we work with you to personalize your scholarship fund to support students based on criteria that are important to you, such as fields of study, specific schools, or demographic segments.
We leverage our knowledge of Delaware and the competitive scholarship process to ensure your scholarship dollars are having the greatest impact.
How a Scholarship Fund Works
- Open the fund with an initial gift to the DCF of $25,000 or more in cash or other assets, such as appreciated stock, mutual funds, or real estate. Most establishing gifts are tax-deductible.
- Name the fund and designate criteria such as financial need, academic standing and field of study.
- Choose an investment strategy from the DCF’s investment pools, or ask about ways to keep your personal financial advisor involved.
- The DCF publicizes the scholarship through our relationships with high schools, our website, social media and other outreach.
- Students apply online. By completing a single online application, students apply for your scholarship and dozens of other DCF scholarships.
- The DCF Scholarship Committee selects recipients. In some cases, you or your designee can be part of the selection process.
- The DCF verifies awardees’ enrollment at approved educational institutions.
- The DCF distributes funds directly to the schools the recipients will attend.
- Add to your fund at any time to take advantage of additional tax benefits while increasing the amount available for scholarships.
- Review your fund activity online.
The DCF handles all of the administrative requirements of the fund, from investments to paperwork.
A scholarship fund at the DCF is a powerful gift to the community that will change people’s lives by increasing their educational opportunities. To begin the process of establishing your new scholarship fund, please contact Joan Hoge-North, vice president for philanthropy, at 302.504.5224.