The Future Fund Profile

Greensboro, North Carolina

Snapshot:
The Future Fund is a group of young leaders (ages 25-45) from the Greensboro area who are committed to making their community a better place and improving the quality of life. The Future Fund doesn’t consider themselves a giving circle, but an incubator for young donors to become more active and engaged in the future. The Fund was patterned after a similar effort initiated in 1995 in Abilene, TX. Select community foundations across the country have embraced this model, which targets young leaders, in an effort to grow the next generation of philanthropists and leaders in their communities.
 
To date the fund has raised $291,900 and made 23 grants totaling $145,950.

In 2000 the Fund focused its grantmaking on children and youth; in 2001 and 2002 it directed investments toward downtown revitalization; and in 2003 took up the issue of attracting and retaining young adults to Greensboro. The group uses a formal RFP process to solicit proposals annually. Proposals are reviewed by a grants committee that meets weekly for almost two months before presenting recommendations to the Steering Committee for final approval. Optional programs include seminars and workshops on philanthropy and grantmaking, community issues and other related topics.
 
Mission:
The mission of the Future Fund of Greater Greensboro, which was created in 1999, is to attract, educate and nurture effective, ongoing philanthropic leadership in the community through grantmaking.
 
Financial Commitment:
Members contribute $125 annually, which entitles them to participate in all Fund activities, including social and educational events, and grantmaking committee.
 
Number of Participants:
The Fund currently has 230 members.
 
Participant Demographics:
Members are mostly married professionals between the ages of 30 to 45.
 
How the Circle Functions:
At present all of the Funds raised are supporting the development of an endowment; the group has successfully found a matching donor or organization for grants each year. The Fund is partially supported by 1 or 2 anonymous donors who cover the administrative costs. The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro manages the Fund through its investment committee.
 
Future Ambitions:
As the endowment grows over time, the income will be used to make grants into the community, and eventually to cover administrative costs for managing the group.