Types of Funds

The Hartford Foundation offers a range of fund types that allow donors to shape the impact of their charitable dollars and select the degree of involvement, if any, that they want to have with their contributions.

For more detail about any of the fund types below, or to refer your client to our website for information, visit our Ways To Give section.

Unrestricted Funds are the most flexible and resilient way for your client to support the community. Donors authorize the Foundation to use the fund's income for grants wherever the greatest needs and opportunities arise.

Donor-Advised Funds are created by donors who wish to remain actively involved with the grantmaking from their fund. Donors may recommend specific grants; they may also consult with the Foundation's program staff for guidance on effective grants in their area of interest.

See a comparison of the costs and benefits of a Hartford Foundation donor-advised fund, commercial donor-advised fund, supporting organization, and private foundation in this chart » (PDF, 63KB)

Preference Funds are created by donors who request that the Foundation consider certain organizations, causes, communities, and/or populations when making grants from the fund, taking into account changing times and conditions.

Field of Interest Funds are designed by a donor to accomplish a broad charitable goal or purpose such as improving health care, elementary education, or the region's cultural life. Donors direct the Foundation to target funds to this topic or cause, focusing dollars on the most promising organizations working in the field at any given time.

Designated Funds are created by donors who wish to specify one or more organizations to receive all or a portion of the income from a fund annually. The Foundation carries out the donor's directions, ensuring that the named agency continues to use the income to achieve intended charitable purposes.

Scholarship Funds are created and supported by donors to help area students afford a college education. Donors can either create a fund with specific selection criteria or contribute to the Hartford Foundation's General Scholarship Endowment Fund or Community College Scholarship Endowment Fund, which benefit students throughout the region.

Catalyst Endowment Fund is a fund supported by donors who pool their contributions of $500 or more per year, explore an issue critical to the region, and advise on grants awarded from the fund to nonprofit organizations tackling that issue.

Latino Endowment Fund was created by individuals who are committed to investing in a better life for the region's Latino residents. Annual gifts of $250 or more are pooled in an endowed fund; members collectively learn about issues and challenges facing Latinos in Greater Hartford, and recommend grants to Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations.