Following his mother’s example, Joseph Andrash, an Oklahoma City architect, was a passionate supporter of public beautification projects around Oklahoma City. He died in 2015, but not before establishing a field of interest fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to honor his mother, Anna, and her love for wildflowers and plants.  The Joe T. Andrash Beautification Fund supports a variety of nature projects throughout the Oklahoma City metro area, including the newly planted wildflowers on the Oklahoma City Community Foundation River Trail.

Do you have donors interested in supporting a particular area of interest, type of organization, community issue or geographic area? Review our Field of Interest Fund Policy Statement and learn more today!

Field of Interest Fund Document

No Specific Charity? No Problem! by Joe Carter, Oklahoma City Community Foundation Vice President of Development

Asking a client if they would like to leave a gift in their will to benefit a charity (or charities) doesn’t always bring the warm, fuzzy feelings we think it should. Phrasing the question in this way can unintentionally lead the client into a defensive mindset. After all, you are asking them to consider charity in the same light as family. There are additional questions that come into play as well. Will this organization always be around? Will they use my gift prudently? Will their mission change?

Instead, try introducing charitable giving to your client like this: “Many of our clients consider leaving a gift to memorialize a loved one or support a cause that has been an important part of their life.”

A field of interest fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation may be the perfect suggestion to follow the above-mentioned phrase. A field of interest fund can benefit any donor-specified charity or charitable interest area. Should that charity cease to exist or if its mission changes, the fund can instead support a similar organization that is more aligned with the donor’s interests. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation identifies eight common causes donors can support within a legacy fund agreement including beautification, animal welfare, health care, arts and culture, services for children, services for elderly and the Fund for Oklahoma City . We also have a field of interest fund to support services for individuals with disabilities that is well suited for special needs trusts seeking a charitable beneficiary. Of course, a donor can establish a field of interest fund to support any charitable cause they want, not only the options listed above.

Regardless of the cause, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is here to assist you in creating a fund that will meet your clients’ needs both now and for generations to come. If you have any questions, please contact me at 405/606-2914. I’m always here to help.

Do you want to increase your professional knowledge and skills and better serve your clients? Do you want insight that will benefit your clients immediately? This free luncheon hosted through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and the Cannon Financial Institute helps you make it happen!

July 23 Your Marital Agreement Toolbox Registration closed.

August 27 Practical Solutions to Vexing Trust Administration Dilemmas Registration opens July 23

September 24 Contemporary Uses for Life Insurance In Estate Planning Registration opens August 27.

Registration for each event will open online following the prior month's teleconference.

Online Resources

GiftLaw Calculator GiftLaw Pro Case of the Week Sample Bequest Language Our Fund Options Gifts We Accept Our Fund Fee Schedule For additional resources please visit our  website.

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