People who itemize maximize tax benefits by receiving an immediate tax deduction that can potentially benefit them for five filing years. Even if no grants are made immediately, donors are eligible for an immediate tax deduction upon funding the single charity fund. Funding your SCF with appreciated securities can help you to eliminate capital gains tax.

Every time you fund your SCF, you will receive a receipt. When it comes tax time, instead of having to gather all of your own receipts, you will be able to view all giving statements in the online platform; you will also receive an annual giving summary.

There are no fees to open an account or process grant requests. You can choose from funds with no management fees or other SCF investment options with low management fees. WatersEdge uses a tiered fee structure based on your SCF’s average daily balance, where you will be charged monthly out of an annual fee. Each charge is 1/12th of what you can see on the fee structure below. There are no fees related to a minimum account balance.

The tiered structure is as follows:

• First $250K: .75% of balance
• Next $250K: .60% of balance
• Next $500K: .35% of balance
• Over $1mm: .20% of balance

• SCF minimum account funding is $1,000.
• When making grant recommendations, grant minimums are $250.
• There is no minimum balance amount.

All investments are socially screened and there are prohibitive restrictions placed on investments in alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, pornography, gaming, abortion, embryonic stem cell research, payday loan practices, human trafficking, and forced child labor.

You have the option to diversify your investments in the following:

General Investment Pool – The General Investment Pool is managed by the WatersEdge Board of Directors and invests in a wide range of asset classes. It is allocated into 70% equity, 20% income oriented and 10% inflation oriented.

Developed Market Equity – The Developed Market Equity Fund is a low-cost way to gain diversified exposure to global large and mid-sized companies across all 23 developed markets countries, the largest of which is the United States with approximately 65%. Specifically, the fund is passively managed according to a customized S&P Developed Large‐Mid Cap Index with a slight tilt to value securities. This index is very similar to the MSCI World benchmark. Due to its broad diversification, it may be considered a core equity holding in a portfolio.

Emerging Markets Equity – The Emerging Markets Equity Fund is passively managed with the MSCI Emerging Markets index and aims to invest in emerging market countries. Stock of companies in emerging markets tend to be more volatile than those in developed countries, which could imply a greater risk-reward profile.

Domestic Bonds – The Domestic Bond Fund utilizes a core plus fixed-income strategy. This strategy allows the investment team to pursue “plus” sectors like emerging market debt, non-investment grade credits and convertible bonds. The fund is managed according to the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index.

Cash Equivalent Pool – The Cash Equivalent Pool is designed as a money-market investment vehicle.

GuideStone Mutual Fund Family– Additional mutual fund options are available including any in the GuideStone family of funds. GuideStone employs social screens on their funds which are substantially like those used by WatersEdge. Information on these funds can be found here GuideStone Funds®. Please call WatersEdge for additional information.

At WatersEdge, we want your ministries to receive their gifts from you as soon as possible. Our dedicated staff ensures your grant recommendations are distributed within 2-3 business days. Unlike some larger foundations and financial organizations, you will have a designated WatersEdge expert to talk to.

If your SCF is managed by your personal financial advisor, the timeline is dependent upon your advisor. WatersEdge cannot send any money out until your advisor has liquidated an asset and then sent the cash to WE. 

WatersEdge has an online platform (through a third-party service) where you can add funds to your SCF and send grants. You also have the option to view statements, giving history, grant history and more.

• Cash
• Qualified distributions from an IRA
• Publicly traded stocks and bonds
• Mutual funds
• Real estate
• Many privately held investments

If you would prefer for your financial advisor to retain oversight of your funds, WatersEdge has an option to create an Advisory SCF. This option also allows you to have more choices in how your funds are invested. For more information call our Director of Donor Relations, Holly Blakey, at 405-532-2481.

1. What are the benefits of having a SCF?

Think of a single charity fund (SCF) as a savings account for the Kingdom cause you’re giving to. In many ways, it works the same as a 401k (a savings account for retirement), or a 529 account (a savings account for funding higher education costs). Like any of these savings accounts, they are designed to accumulate in value for the benefit of a future expenditure.

Single charity funds are simple to open, provide a charitable tax deduction whenever money goes into the account, and are easy to grant/gift money to your ministry of choice whenever you are ready to do so.

SCFs are meant to simplify a donor’s charitable giving plus add accrued interest, which maximizes your gifts to the chosen charity. You get one gift receipt for each contribution to the SCF – all you have to do is tell us in writing when you want to give and we handle the rest.  

2. So, I can only give to one charity? 

Yes — with an SCF, you choose one specific ministry to give to. For a similar fund that allows gifts to any charity of your choice, consider a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).  

3. What kind of a tax deduction comes with a gift to a single charity fund?

Contributions to your SCF receive immediate tax benefits.  

4. How do SCFs generate income?

SCF contributions are invested and grow to maximize impact. All the growth of your initial gift is tax free. On an initial $1,000 SCF gift, your account may grow before your first grant is made.  

5. Why are SCFs considered a simple way to manage charitable giving?

We take the hassle out of giving. You choose which 501(c)3 charitable organization you want to support and make a “grant” to that organization. WatersEdge sends the checks and manages the paperwork for you. You will get one receipt for each contribution to the SCF.

6. How do I make a grant? 

You can make grants from your online account or send us an email or letter with your grant instructions. As long as we have a written record of your request, your grant will be made.  

7. How quickly does the charity receive my SCF grant?

SCF grants are processed within 3-4 days and checks are sent via regular USPS mail.  

8. Can I set up recurring grants to be made?

Absolutely. For example, many donors set up a grant to be made to their chosen ministry (such as their home church) on a monthly basis through an SCF.

9. What if an SCF has an account balance at the end of the year?

SCF balances will roll over until an account is fully depleted.  

10. What happens to the balance of an SCF once a donor passes away?

You can name a successor advisor (such as your child) to manage the funds and make grants after you are gone.  Otherwise, the fund will be distributed to the designated charity.