About WCCF

1. What is the Winnebago County Community Foundation?

The Winnebago County Community Foundation is a local, nonprofit charitable affiliate component of the Community Foundation of Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa.
The Winnebago County Community Foundation is a qualified community foundation, whereby receive the maximum tax deductions allowed at the state and federal level. We are dedicated to strengthening our community both now and for future generations. The main purpose of the Winnebago County Community Foundation is to provide a vehicle by which private donors may make a lasting contribution to our community and at the same time accomplish their goals in charitable gift and estate planning.

2. What are the benefits of giving through the Winnebago County Community Foundation?

A donor has the choice of how and when to make their gift, the charitable impact it will make and how involved they will be in its distribution.
Benefits to Donors:
Tax Advantages: By making a gift to the Winnebago County Community Foundation, a donor is able to receive the maximum tax advantage allowed by state and federal law. Also, there may be additional tax credits available through Endow Iowa legislation.

Simplicity: A gift to the Winnebago County Community Foundation may benefit several worthwhile endeavors through an unrestricted fund or specific areas designated by the donor.

Effective Leadership and Accountability: Our Committee, consisting of active community leaders representing all different segments of our community, guides our local grant making process. All receipts and expenditures are fully audited by outside auditors contracted by the Community Foundation of Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa

Flexibility: Gifts may include outright gifts, (e.g. cash or stock), bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts, life estate contracts, retirement plans, insurance and other kinds of assets. They be designated or undesignated, and can be added to at any time and for nearly any reason.

Recognition or Anonymity: Donors may be publicly recognized for their philanthropic efforts or may remain anonymous, as they wish. Gifts may be designated as memorials or tributes or may be named in recognition of an individual, family, organization or special purpose.

Permanence and Security: Gifts to the Winnebago County Community Foundation become a part of a perpetual trust, ensuring a permanent endowment to respond to changing community needs right here in Winnebago County. All gifts are administered by the Community Foundation of Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa, who establishes the investment policies and guidelines for professional investment managers contracted to manage the fund assets.

3. How Can You Give to the Winnebago County Community Foundation?

Not only are there many benefits of giving to the Winnebago County Community Foundation, but also there are several ways to give in order to meet your specific charitable goals and take full advantage of tax benefits.
Gifts Options:
- Outright Gifts: Give cash, stocks, real estate or other assets
- Bequests: Designate a portion of an estate
- Charitable Gifts Annuity: Annuity contract pays donor a predetermined amount annually for life - charitable fund commences grants upon death
- Charitable Lead Trust: Trust pays the Winnebago County Community Foundation a fixed amount for a number of years and then assets go the beneficiary
- Charitable Reminder Trust: Trust pays beneficiary for life and then assets are transferred to a fund of the Winnebago County Community Foundation
- Life Estate Contract: Donor transfers home to the Winnebago County Community Foundation and still enjoys living at home
- Retirement Plans: IRA’s, etc. By naming the Winnebago County Community Foundation as beneficiary of a retirement plan, 100% stays in the community to benefit charities in the donor’s name.
- Insurance: Insurance policies can be named to the Winnebago County Community Foundation in total or even a portion. Many establish the Winnebago County Community Foundation as the owner and beneficiary during their lifetime

4. What Might Winnebago County Community Foundation Funds be used for?

Your gift to the Winnebago County Community Foundation may be used exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, scientific, health, welfare, recreational, cultural affairs, arts or any purpose that benefits Winnebago County.

Through the Winnebago County Community Foundation, each donor has a range of options and the opportunity to preserve and strengthen the community we all cherish. The Winnebago County Community Foundation is committed to making a lasting difference.

You are invited to help Winnebago County create a legacy for generations to come.
For more information you or your financial advisor are urged to contact one of the Foundation Board Members.