How a field-of-interest fund can achieve your giving goals
Choose an area or create your own
For 100 years, The Trust has helped generous New Yorkers come together to make an impact on the causes they care about.
Arts
Children & Teens
Environment
Health & Behavioral Health
Justice
LGBTQ+
Housing & Economic Opportunity
People with Disabilities
Older Adults
Democracy
Choose your own cause(s)
Arts
Strengthen the Arts
The arts enrich every aspect of urban living. Together, we can create affordable spaces for artists, improve arts education, develop the talent of historically underrepresented artists, and diversify audiences across the region.
Children & Teens
Champion opportunity
Join us to build a brighter future for the next generation. Together we can support projects that advocate for better schools, improve literacy, increase access to high-quality childcare, and prepare young people to become engaged citizens.
Environment
Create a greener future
Our planet needs our protection. Together we can slow and adapt to climate change, improve our parks, reduce toxic exposure, and protect wildlife habitats.
Health & Behavioral Health
Make New York Healthier
Patient-centered, equitable, and accessible health care benefits everyone. With the generosity of people like you, we can support innovation in medical research, strengthen health systems, and help New Yorkers get the care they need.
Justice
Stand up for justice and equity
With the generosity of people like you, we can work towards a more just and equitable society. Join us to protect civil liberties, increase access to legal support, and advance the rights of women, Black and Indigenous people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and others.
LGBTQ+
Support LGBTQ+ Communities
Join us to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, illuminate and preserve LGBTQ+ history, and make health care, housing, and legal support available for LGBTQ+ Communities.
Housing & Economic Opportunity
Create opportunity
Everyone deserves access to stable housing, ample and nutritious food, and rewarding work with equitable pay. With your partnership, we help nonprofits advocate for safe and affordable housing, reform food systems, and provide job training and other employment services.
People with Disabilities
Create a more accessible society
With the generosity of people like you, we support advocacy for more inclusive and accessible schools, workplaces, cultural attractions, and public transit, while providing resources and support to New Yorkers with disabilities.
Older Adults
Improve Life for Older Adults
Together, we’re making New York a better place to grow old. With your partnership, we support training for home care workers, create opportunities for older adults to become leaders in their communities, and make it easier for New Yorkers to age at home.
Democracy
Support civic engagement
Together, we’re strengthening our democracy and ensuring communities in our region have equal opportunities to make their voices heard and take part in the political process. We promote civic engagement and get out the vote, increase census participation, help nonprofit media keep communities well-informed, and more.
Choose your own cause(s)
Something missing?
Which causes would you like to support to build a stronger New York? Let us know and we’ll help you find the most effective ways to make a meaningful difference.
Why open a designated fund?
FAQs
Designated funds allow an enduring commitment while acknowledging the future is unpredictable.
What can I support with a designated fund?
What can I give with a designated fund?
When can I give with designated fund?
How much money do I need to start a designated fund?
What can I support with a designated fund?
The choice is yours
You choose the charity or charities you would like to support. Many donors create funds that allocate a percentage of resources for individual charities and also provide other funding for broader issue areas.
Valerie Delacorte wanted to honor her husband George Delacorte, the founder of Dell Publishing. Through her will, she created a designated fund, the Fund for Performances at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, which brings performances to the people each summer.
What can I give with a designated fund?
A variety of assets
Designated funds can accept donations of many types of assets, including cash, stock, and real estate. You can make the Trust a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. For those age 70 ½ and over, you can use the charitable rollover provision to direct a contribution from your IRA and claim a deduction.
When can I give with designated fund?
Give today or leave a legacy
Start supporting your favorite nonprofits today by creating a designated fund or leaving a bequest in your will. Our expert philanthropic staff can provide language and guidance. Reach out today!
How much money do I need to start a designated fund?
We’re flexible
You can create a placeholder fund with a simple promise. No money down. Eventually your fund will require a minimum of $5,000.
More Ways to Give
No matter how you want to make a difference, we can help you turn a variety of assets into a force for good. Explore the different options we offer.