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Do I have to make grant suggestions?
Do I have to make grant suggestions?

Yes. If you’re not sure where to give, we have good news: Our newsletters and annual report are great sources of information about work that might interest you.

If you simply forgot to make grants recommendations for more than a year, we’ll remind you.

Also, we understand you might want to accumulate income over several years in order to make a large grant and, to the extent permitted by law, we can accommodate this. Talk to us about your plans.

Still looking for help? Call Donor Services.

I always support my university's annual campaign. Will you pay my pledge?
I always support my university's annual campaign. Will you pay my pledge?

We can’t make a grant earmarked to pay your legally binding pledge. However, The IRS has recently issued guidance that says, in effect, that it is okay if the grantee organization applies a donor-advised fund grant to a pledge. But we cannot direct them to do that.

May I make a grant to an organization that is in a foreign country?
May I make a grant to an organization that is in a foreign country?

Many U.S. charities are active overseas and we are happy to consider grants to them.  We do not make grants to nonprofits organized outside the United States. Many major foreign organizations have established “American Friends of…” and these, as U.S. charities, are often good substitutes. If the grant you are contemplating is at least $10,000, we may be able to find a third party to manage the expenditure responsibility required by law.

How do I suggest a grant?
How do I suggest a grant?

You can let us know which nonprofits you would like to support in one of three ways:

The easiest way is to use our electronic portal, MyNYCT.

Or send your grant suggestions in writing to The New York Community Trust, 909 Third Avenue, 22nd Floor, New York NY 10022.

Or you can fax them to (212) 532-8528, Attn: Donor Relations

What information do I need to suggest a grant?
What information do I need to suggest a grant?

The name and address of the charity, the amount of the proposed grant ($250 or more), and its purpose (general support or a specific project).  This information allows us to ensure that the charities suggested are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt and that they meet our standards for responsible management and effective programs. Including a contact person at the charity is also helpful to us.

Assuming there are funds available to make the grant, and the organization is already in our database of approved charities, a check will generally be sent within seven to ten days of receiving the request.

If we need to review the charity to make sure it meets our standards, it may take two to six weeks. There are rare instances in which it takes longer than six weeks to make a grant.

Am I the only person who can make grant suggestions?
Am I the only person who can make grant suggestions?

The founder of a fund can name other people—relatives, friends, or business associates—as advisors to suggest grants from the fund they established. To add or remove an advisor, simply fill out this nomination form and e-mail or mail it to us at our regular mailing address.

Will I get a receipt for tax purposes?
Will I get a receipt for tax purposes?

Absolutely. What’s often convenient for some donors is that we keep copies of our acknowledgements. When tax time rolls around and you can’t find your original, we’ll send you a copy.

Do you accept matching gifts from my employer?
Do you accept matching gifts from my employer?

Of course, but some companies have restrictions on the kinds of contributions they match, so be sure to check with your employer first; your gift acknowledgement should have all the details your employer needs.

What are my investment choices for my fund?
What are my investment choices for my fund?