Start Your Own Endowed Fund

Create a Legacy. Shape the Future.

Why Start a Fund?

Starting an endowed fund with the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation is one of the most powerful ways you can support the causes you care about—forever. Whether you want to honor a loved one, support your favorite nonprofit, or address needs in your community, we’re here to help you make it happen.

Creating a fund at ESVCF is a flexible, personal, and effective way to:

  • Make a lasting difference in Accomack and Northampton counties

  • Fulfill your charitable goals without the burden of starting a private foundation

  • Create a legacy that reflects your values, now and for generations to come

You can contribute now, later through your estate, or both. We accept current and planned gifts and handle all the administrative details—so you can focus on the joy of giving.

Who Can Start a Fund?

Anyone! Individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and even private foundations can establish a fund with ESVCF. We offer:

  • Administrative and record-keeping services

  • Help identifying impactful grant opportunities

  • Timely distribution of grants

  • Guidance every step of the way

How It Works

It’s simple. We work with you to create a fund agreement between you, ESVCF, and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation (which holds and invests all ESVCF assets as part of our long-standing affiliation). From there, your fund is up and running.

We often work with donors and their financial advisors as part of estate and legacy planning. Let us know what your goals are, and we’ll help you find the fund type that fits best.

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You Choose the Type of Fund

With your gift of $25,000 or more, you can establish a named fund, honoring a loved one or reflecting your personal values. Prefer to remain anonymous? That’s fine, too. Here are your options:

Donor Advised Fund

You stay involved. Recommend grants each year to the nonprofits that matter to you, locally or beyond.

Designated Fund

Support the same nonprofit(s) year after year. It’s a powerful, permanent way to ensure your favorite organizations thrive.

Unrestricted Fund

Let us decide where your dollars can make the greatest impact. These flexible funds allow ESVCF to respond to urgent and evolving needs on the Shore, now and in the future.

Field of Interest Fund

Love the arts? Passionate about education or the environment? You choose the focus, and we’ll award grants to strong nonprofits doing great work in that space.

Scholarship Fund

Support students as they pursue their educational dreams. These funds are professionally managed through our partnership with Hampton Roads Community Foundation’s robust scholarship program.

Organizational Fund

Nonprofit? Start your own endowment to support your mission long-term. (Learn more on our “Creating an Endowment” page.)

Ready to Get Started?

We’d be honored to help you take the next step. Whether you know exactly what you want or just want to talk through the possibilities, we’re here to guide you.

info@esvcf.org
757-789-0910

Let’s build something that lasts!

Access and Manage Your Fund

We offer Donor-Advised and Organizational fundholders online access to their fund information through Fund Xpress, a secure platform provided via our affiliation with the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

With Fund Xpress, you can:

  • View your fund’s balance and investment activity

  • See gifts to your fund, grants made, and grants pending

  • Recommend grants online (for donor-advised funds)

New Users:
To request access, please email jpruitt@hamptonroadscf.org or call Hampton Roads Community Foundation Donor Services at (757) 622-7951. You’ll receive login credentials and instructions for getting started.

Already Registered?
Click here to log in to Fund Xpress.