Start Your
FundSimplify your giving and support the causes that matter most to you by starting a fund with Adirondack Community Foundation. Whether you want the flexibility and adaptability of a donor advised fund or the ease that a designated fund provides to support the nonprofits you care about on an annual basis, we can tailor your giving with the type of fund that best fits you.
Let Us Be Your Guide
No other sponsor of charitable funds can match the local expertise, proven impact, and exceptional service provided by our knowledgeable and friendly staff. We stand ready to help you craft — and implement — a personal charitable giving plan that reflects your passions.
Schedule an appointment below with a member of our Philanthropy team to get started today!
Our Team
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CJ Dates, Vice President of PhilanthropyAu Sable Forks, NY
CJ brings strong fundraising and leadership development experience in nonprofits, churches, and schools in a variety of roles. He grew up skiing, hiking, and visiting family in the Tri-Lakes area. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetorical Theory and Psychology from Roberts Wesleyan University and a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary, focusing on Ancient Semitic languages and culture. Most recently, he managed a certified organic farm in Fair Haven, NY, and a restoration agriculture project in Sterling, NY. CJ enjoys travel, art, music, studying ancient mystic traditions, and learning how people of all kinds make meaning in their lives. -
Matt Donahue, Director of Philanthropy and Planned GivingKeene, NY
Matt brings to ACF deep experience in fundraising and dedication to the Adirondacks. He has helped to raise operational, capital and legacy/estate gifts in multiple leadership positions, including Director of Advancement/Leadership Giving Officer with North Country School/Camp Treetops in Lake Placid, Director of Development for the Long Trail School in Vermont and Falmouth Academy in Massachusetts, and Associate Director of Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy’s Adirondack Chapter. He has served on the Keene Central School Board of Education. -
Nikki Hilchey, Philanthropy Operations OfficerKeeseville, NY
Nikki brings 16 years of experience working in philanthropy on a wide range of projects, starting in grant writing and administration and growing to also manage the annual fund, fundraising events, stewardship communications, and planned giving. She has stage managed and worked on the technical aspects of over 100 theatre productions locally and in the Elmira area. She loves exploring the Adirondacks, mainly while hiking, snowshoeing, or kayaking. -
Tatyana Reinboldt, Donor Stewardship and Engagement OfficerVermontville, NY
Tatyana brings a strong passion for community, connection, and service to Adirondack Community Foundation.Since relocating to the Adirondacks over a decade ago, she has embraced the region wholeheartedly, beginning her journey at Placid Planet Bicycles, where she helped residents and visitors alike discover new ways to experience the region. She quickly immersed herself in the local community, contributing time to a variety of nonprofit organizations — including the food pantry, where she can be found weekly stocking shelves. Originally hailing from Iowa, Tatyana has a deep rooted appreciation for small town values and the importance of community support. She is excited about using her passion, experience, and dedication to help strengthen the Adirondack region.
How ACF
Stacks Up
Feature / Benefit |
Adirondack Community Foundation (ACF) |
Commercial DAF (e.g., Schwab) |
Private
|
|---|---|---|---|
Tax Benefits & Ease of Giving |
Excellent. Maximum tax benefits and a highly streamlined giving process. |
Excellent. Shares the exact same tax benefits and ease of giving as ACF. |
More Restrictive. Lower tax deduction limits and more complex rules. |
Administrative Burden & Logistics |
None. ACF handles all the logistics, compliance, and backend hassles. |
None. The commercial provider handles the platform administration. |
High. Heavy administrative burden, legal logistics, and ongoing legal and tax logistics. |
Local Expertise & Advising |
Included. Direct access to local staff expertise and philanthropic advising resources. |
None. Self-directed platforms; no localized staff or community expertise. |
Self-Funded. Must independently find, hire, and fund your own community advisors. |
Service Level |
Concierge-Level. Highly personalized, high-touch support. |
Generic. Automated platforms or generic call-center support. |
Self-Managed. Dependent entirely on the family or hired staff's effort. |
Donor Networking |
Active. Opportunities to connect and strategize with like-minded donors. |
None. Isolated, transactional accounts with no donor community. |
Isolated. Limited strictly to your own family board or trustees |
Exclusive Giving Opportunities |
Yes. Access to unique, curated, and exclusive community giving options. |
No. Donors must research and find all giving opportunities on their own. |
No. Must independently seek out and vet all funding opportunities. |
Destination of supporting fees |
Community Reinvestment. A portion of every dollar goes to strengthen Adirondack communities. |
Corporate Profit. Fees go directly to enrich the commercial investment company. |
Overhead Costs. Funds are eaten up by operational, legal, and management overhead. |
Multi-Generational Legacy |
Simple & Engaging. Easily involve younger generations early by naming successor advisors. ACF staff can help you formulate a legacy plan for grantmaking to your philanthropic priorities after your lifetime. |
Simple. Can name successors, but lacks local community context and engagement. |
Traditional but Burdened. Perpetuates family traditions, but with high ongoing administrative upkeep. |
Fund Types
We offer an array of fund types to help you give back to the Adirondack region and beyond. Contact us with questions or to get started setting up your fund with as little as $25,000.
Contact CJ Dates, Vice President of Philanthropy to learn more or open your fund.
“I value that ACF, unlike commercial donor advised fund entities, works full-time to understand the changing needs of the communities they serve.”
Barbara L. Glaser
Adirondack Community Foundation fundholder
and legacy family member
