An essential component of the work of community foundations is building a permanent collection of endowed funds through contributions by many donors - businesses as well as individuals, families and organizations - for a variety of charitable causes. When your business makes a contribution to an endowment fund, that gift is carefully invested for maximum return and growth, ensuring that the endowment will exist in perpetuity. The growth of endowment funds and the income earned provide the financial assistance necessary to help carry out your philanthropic objectives, such as supporting a particular charitable focus that is of interest to your business. Endowed funds held at local community foundations typically have a granting policy of about 5 percent. This means that over time, more grant dollars are available to the community and the endowment fund itself continues to grow. An endowment partnership with your local community foundation helps your business get a higher return on it charitable investment by advancing the causes you care about - For Good. For Ever.