Donor-advised funds make distributions based on recommendations from the fund’s donor-advisor/s. These funds can support 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, tribes or cities/towns for public charitable purposes. Donors may choose to appoint advisors in addition to themselves.

To ensure all donor-advised funds remain active, in the event that a grant recommendation has not been made from the fund during the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), Innovia will designate a $250 grant to the Partnership Fund. We provide special recognition to our Partnership Fund donors at our Annual Reception each year. Contributions to the Partnership Fund allow us to keep our fees at a minimum, as well as support the work of Innovia to transform lives and communities in our region.

• Making a grant recommendation to a public charity:
  • • When making recommendations, you will identify the name of the charitable organization, grant purpose and grant amount. Innovia will conduct the due diligence process to ensure the recommendation is in compliance with charitable policies.
• Learn more here about making a grant recommendation to a fund at Innovia.

Below are several resources for founders and advisors of donor-advised funds.

• Donor-Advised MyInnovia Guide
• Donor-Advised Policies
• Donor-Advised Guide to Grantmaking
• Grant Recommendation Form

June 20 is the annual deadline for active grantmaking. If no grant recommendation is received by this date, Innovia will initiate a $250 grant to the Innovia Partnership Fund.

Designated Funds provide annual distributions to the organization(s) or charitable program(s) identified in the fund agreement in perpetuity. Annual Distributions are processed each quarter based on the fund agreement or fund type. 

Designated Fund Resources & Deadlines: 

• August – 1st Quarter Distributions Processed 
• September 15 – Last day to add to fund’s ATS for fiscal year distributions. 
• October/November – 2nd Quarter Distributions Processed (Default) 
• February – 3rd Quarter Distributions Processed 
• April – 4th Quarter Distributions Processed 

Nonprofit Funds are created by the nonprofit for its own benefit. A Nonprofit Fund makes annual distributions to the organization to support its general charitable purposes, or a specific purpose defined in the fund agreement.  

Nonprofit Fund Resources & Deadlines:

• Special Services for Nonprofits 
• Spring – Available to Spend “ATS” letters mailed to notify of the next fiscal year distribution 
• August – Annual Distributions Processed 
• End of November – FASB

Scholarship Funds help students from Eastern Washington and North Idaho attend colleges, universities or vocational schools in the region or, with certain scholarships, attend school outside the region. 

Scholarship Fund Resources & Deadlines: 

• November 1 – Last Day to add additional funds into ATS for scholarships in the upcoming spring. 
• December 1 – Scholarship applications open.   
• March 1 – Scholarship applications close.   
• May – Innovia Foundation Board approves the selected candidates.  
• May through June – Announcements are made to award recipients. 
• June through August – Recipients confirm school and enrollment. Checks are mailed to the school and designated for tuition, fees and books. 

Designated Scholarship Funds provide annual distributions to a high school, college, or university for scholarship purposes. The school administers the scholarship process and selection of recipients. Schools are required to provide Innovia with the recipient information prior to receiving their distribution. 

• November 1 – Last Day to add additional funds into ATS for scholarships in the upcoming spring. 
• December – Schools are notified the amount available for scholarship awards 
• June 15 – Deadline for schools to provide scholarship recipient information. 

Community Funds are discretionary endowed funds flexible in their ability to meet emergent needs and support high-impact community initiatives across our region. Distributions from Community Funds are pooled to increase the overall giving power through community grant programs and regional initiatives.  

Area-of Interest funds restrict distributions to a specific area of community need (such as education, health or the arts) or region. Distributions from Area of Interest Funds are pooled to increase the overall giving power through community grant programs and regional initiatives.  

Area of Interest (AOI) Funds with Liaison 

AOI funds with liaison are advised funds that restrict the distributions to a specific area of community need or region. The fund liaison submits recommendations to Innovia in writing, using Innovia’s Disbursement Recommendation Form. Online grant recommendations are not allowed for this fund type. 

Future Funds are ideal for families and individuals who want to specify how their assets should be distributed after their lifetimes. Donors establish Future Funds to receive their assets from a will or trust and personally communicate how their charitable contributions will forever benefit their favorite charities.