Since 1983, almost 120 distinctive donors, true local philanthropists, have established permanent, lasting gifts through the Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler. Thanks to the generosity of leaders such as you, the Foundation has improved local access to health and human services in many fields of interest, from childhood nutrition to higher education.
Why the Community Foundation?
Charitable giving resulting in sustainable positive changes in our community is a dynamic process of understanding, innovation and collaboration. The Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler improves the quality of life for all by building charitable giving through our:
We are your local Community Foundation and a proud division of the United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties, Inc. For 76 years, the United Way has been a leader in our community for carrying out its mission of Increasing the organized capacity of the community to care for its people.
The powerful combination of the Community Foundation and United Way provides insightful understanding and leadership on important community issues and solutions.
You can experience the ease and effectiveness of partnering with the Community Foundation and rely on us to help you establish your giving plans that reflect your passions, goals and desired legacy. Together, with committed donors such as yourself, we are an energetic team of skilled and results-oriented community professionals that change lives for the better every day.
We welcome an opportunity for a personal conversation about the ways in which the Community Foundation can support you with caring for our community.
Through the Foundation, new investments are made each year in the form of trusts, family foundations, gift annuities, and donor advised or designated funds. Our donors have found their investments to be a win-win for themselves and the community. Through investment opportunities such as Income Annuities, Lead Trusts, Remainder Trusts, and Pooled Income Funds, our clients’ investment grows, their financial security is ensured, and they leave a gift in perpetuity of lasting significance.
Foundation earnings from unrestricted funds, made through bequests and living trusts, are earmarked each year for distribution to the EDGE Initiative, a board-designated fund that supports United Way’s Community Impact Model of Health, Education, and Income. Restricted funds may include grants to local initiatives and agencies as designated by our donors.
Improve the quality of life in our community in perpetuity by building an endowment and funding a broad range of community needs through planned and outright gifts.
The Foundation was established by resolution of the United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties, Inc. Board of Directors as an Endowment Fund.old logo
Initial governance was assigned to the Executive Committee of the United Way Board.
The initial funding in 1983 was derived from a $200,000.00 allocation from the United Way general fund, then under the direction of United Way president John DiCesare.
1984 United Way Board member, Joe Ottenstein, created a memorial fund of $200,000.00 in the name of his late wife increasing the value of the fund to over $400,000.00. Local attorney E. William Crotty was selected to Chair the United Way Endowment Fund advisory board.
In 1995 the Endowment Fund reached a value of $1,000,000.00 and began distributing earnings in the form of community-based grants.
In 1996, hired a planned giving officer. Donors Bill & Peggy Turner became the first investors in the Fund’s inaugural gift annuity program. Name was changed to United Way Community Foundation of Volusia and Flagler Counties and continued as a division of the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, Inc.foundation logo
In 2003 the Foundation was recognized by the national United Way organization for special achievement in planned giving.
In 2009 the Foundation completed a branding campaign and the name was changed to Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler..
Relationships With
The Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler operates as the permanent endowment of our local United Way. It is completely separate from United Way’s annual campaign, in that it exists to support a broader range of long-term community needs through the income of its fund’s portfolio. This is accomplished primarily through the EDGE Initiative which supports United Way’s Community Impact Model, by offsetting the cost of United Way’s annual fund-raising expenses so as to increase the % of campaign donor dollars that are allocated directly to partner agencies which serve this model.
Thus the Foundation provides extra leverage to United Way’s contribution campaign, for supporting local health and human service agencies that serve those in need.
We have an amazing team here at the Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler.
2016-17 Annual Report
2015-16 Annual Report
2014-15 Annual Report