05 of 08 · Fund Structure
Focus Funds
Directed Giving Structure
A targeted giving vehicle for donors with a clear mission. Focus Funds concentrate philanthropic assets toward a specific cause, community, or issue area — with ECF managing all grantmaking, compliance, and administration on your behalf.
At a Glance
Legal Entity
Operates under ECF 501(c)(3)
Grantmaking
How It Works
Your mission, precisely targeted
A Focus Fund is for donors who know exactly where they want their philanthropy to go — but don’t want the burden of identifying, vetting, and administering grants themselves. The donor defines the cause; ECF handles the rest.
Unlike a donor-advised fund where the donor makes individual grant recommendations on a gift-by-gift basis, a Focus Fund is structured around a defined field of action. ECF’s grantmaking team actively identifies and vets qualifying organizations within your stated focus area and disburses grants on an ongoing basis.
Focus Funds are eligible for IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) — a significant advantage for donors aged 70½ and older who want to direct IRA assets to charity tax-free. They’re also an efficient vehicle for donors who want concentrated, high-impact giving in a specific domain without building a full philanthropic program.
Define your focus area
Work with ECF to articulate the cause, community, or issue area your fund will serve — e.g., ‘K-12 arts education in Los Angeles County’ or ‘clean water access in sub-Saharan Africa.’ The more specific, the more targeted the grantmaking.
Fund the account
Make an initial contribution. Focus Funds can receive ongoing gifts, including QCD transfers from IRAs for donors 70½+, cash, securities, and other eligible assets.
3
ECF identifies grant recipients
ECF’s team researches, vets, and selects organizations within your focus area. You receive regular reports on grant activity and impact — no grant-by-grant decisions required from you.
4
Impact compounds over time
As the fund grows and grantmaking deepens, ECF builds relationships with organizations in your focus area. Your giving becomes more strategic and more impactful year over year.
Considerations
Strengths, limitations, & ideal scenarios
Advantages
What works in your favor
- Highly efficient — no grant-by-grant decision-making required; ECF manages the entire grantmaking process
- Eligible for IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for donors aged 70½ and older
- Concentrated impact — all philanthropic resources directed to a clearly defined mission area
- ECF’s expertise in grantmaking means recipients are properly vetted and grants are compliant
- Regular impact reporting keeps donors connected to outcomes without administrative burden
- Can receive contributions from multiple donors who share the same cause focus
Limitations
Where this structure has constraints
- Donor does not select individual grant recipients — ECF’s grantmaking team makes those determinations within the defined focus area
- Less flexibility than a donor-advised fund — the cause focus is defined at establishment and changes require ECF approval
- Not ideal for donors who want to maintain hands-on involvement in individual grantmaking decisions
- ECF charges administrative and grantmaking fees on the fund
- Best suited for donors with a clear, defined philanthropic focus — less appropriate for those still exploring where to give
Best Use Scenarios
Who this structure is built for
- Donors with a deep personal commitment to a specific cause who want that commitment formalized and sustained
- IRA holders aged 70½+ seeking a QCD-eligible vehicle to direct retirement assets to charity tax-free
- Donors who want professional grantmaking management within a defined field without building their own foundation
- Families or individuals who want a recurring giving program in a specific community or issue area
- Advisors building a concentrated philanthropic strategy for clients with clear cause preferences
Illustrative Examples
What this fund looks like in practice
Environmental Giving
Cause-Focused Conservation Donor
Education Access
Shared-Cause Family Giving Program
Health Equity
Community Health Professional Giving
Explore other fund structures
01 / 08
Model A
Fiscal Sponsorship
02 / 08
Model C
Pre-Approved Sponsorship
03 / 08
Model L
Legacy & Memorial
04 / 08
Charitable Events
Event-Based Fundraising
05 / 08
Focus Funds
Directed Giving
06 / 08
Corporate Charitable Arms
Corporate Initiative
07 / 08
Donor Directed Investment
Investment-Driven Giving
08 / 08
Supporting Organizations
Structured Support