Unrestricted Funds
The Ultimate in Philanthropy

When you create an Unrestricted Fund, you are allowing your fund to make grants where they are needed most in the community. CCF’s knowledgeable program staff conducts annual competitive grants programs where nonprofits in the community are given the opportunity to compete for support. All nonprofits are invited to apply and may receive guidance during the application process from CCF’s staff. This process helps nonprofits improve their grantwriting skills and also encourages them to collaborate with other organizations and find innovative ways to implement their projects. A committee of CCF Board members and citizen volunteers make the award decisions. If you name your unrestricted fund, grants will always be made in your fund’s name (or anonymously if you prefer) to organizations selected by the grants committee.

You may contribute to your fund at any time, receiving the maximum tax benefit allowable with each new gift. An Unrestricted Fund will continue to respond to the ever-changing needs of your community - long after you are gone.

Individual Donor
A personal connection

Gary Banks, Jr. of Summerville and his wife, Janie, have always said that the Coastal Community Foundation "was a great idea.”

So, on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary in 1985, after many years of exchanging anniversary presents, they decided to start an unrestricted fund at CCF instead.

"We looked at eachother and couldn't think of anything we needed," said Janie.  "We were so blessed."

That was the beginning of the "We've Been Blessed" Fund at CCF and since that day, Janie and Gary have contributed to their fund on all of their special occasions - birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and they have encouraged their friends and family to do the same. 

"Coastal Community Foundation has a better overview of the needs of the community than we do," said Gary.  "We trust them to decide where the grants from our fund will make the most difference."

Their simple act of "thanks" has helped many organizations over the years, including: Meals on Wheels, Lowcountry Open Land Trust, United Methodist Relief Center, the Children's Museum and HELP of Summerville.  Because Janie and Gary count their blessings, their community does too.