give256 Now & Later Fund
Generosity Shouldn’t Have Just One Price Tag
Give256 was created by a group of young community leaders to unite, encourage, and inform emerging philanthropists to make a collective impact on Greater Huntsville. This innovative program allows members to pool their money and make a positive impact on our community. The give256 membership is a diverse group of individuals, couples, families, and businesses who are united in their desire to co-invest their money with others with the belief that together we can do more.
Give256 is one of the collective impact funds in the “Now & Later” family of funds—an innovation of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville that allows donors to give today with a focus on tomorrow.
This innovative approach leverages the power of connection by co-investing funds to support the needs of nonprofit organizations across Huntsville.
“Give256 gives its members a low-cost way to provide meaningful support to local charitable organizations. I’m happy to be a part of an initiative that is making such a big impact in our community. We routinely hear from Give256 grant recipients how the funding is helping them carry out their missions.”
– Patrick McCormick
Give256 Members
- Joe Alexander*
- William Bass
- Kenneth Bethune*
- John Braswell*
- Alden Cayse
- Brenda & Gary Conville
- James & Barbara Daniel
- Jim & Karen Diehl*
- Clark Dunn
- Bob & Lou Gathany
- Whitney Gentry
- Hillary Harris
- John & Christina Hearne
- Chris Helton
- Tyce Hudson
- Hank Isenberg*
- Julie Johnson
- Susie Johnston
- Caroline & Logan Kennedy
- John & Ann Kvach
- Lee Langston
- Little Drummer Girl Fund*
- Bob & Cindi Ludwig*
- Doug & Lauren Martinson
- M Miller
- Clayton Newkirk
- Cameron Newkirk
- Melissa Patch
- Deborah Powell
- Jim & Dianne Reynolds
- Bill & Brenda Roark*
- Kaitlynn Roark
- John Roberts
- Chauncey H. Robinson
- Will Robinson*
- Yd Robinson*
- Chris Russell & Sharon Doviet*
- Roger & Jacquita Sameck*
- Danielle Sanford
- Randall Schrimsher*
- Cathryn and Stephen Schartung-Doud
- Austin Schrimsher
- Jennifer & Eric Sholes
- Warren Steber
- Tom & Melissa Thompson
- John & Patricia Watson
- Bond Wells
- Joanna White
- Mary Wilson
- Anita & Samuel Wood*
- And many other donors who have chosen to remain anonymous
*Designates a lifetime member
Ready to make an impact?
Join Give256 by giving in increments of 2-5-6. Your dollars are then pooled with others, and together you decide which local organizations you want to receive the grant funding for the calendar year of your donation.
You can pay with a one-time donation or through monthly installments.
FAQs
How much should I donate?
Although all gifts are appreciated, donors who contribute at least $256 annually are invited to become members of the Give256. Donors of all Give256 giving levels will be recognized on the Give256 webpage.
What assets can I donate?
The Community Foundation can accept not only cash and credit cards, but also non-cash gifts such as stocks and bonds. Assets such as real estate and other personal property may also be accepted, but are subject to Board approval.
How is my donation invested?
Seventy-five percent of your gift will be deployed in current year grantmaking. Twenty-five percent of your gift will be added to the Give256 Endowment. Each year, earnings from this fund are used to make grants addressing community needs. The principal of the fund will remain intact. In this way, your gift – and all future earnings from your gift and the gifts of others – will be a permanent source of community capital, helping to do good work forever.
What are the tax benefits of a donation to the Give256?
You receive the full tax benefits associated with your gift in the year your gift is made.
Who decides how grants are awarded?
Annually, the Give256 Grants Committee will select the grants that will be presented to the members and the members will vote on the grant recipients for the year.
If there are community needs, why create an endowment instead of spending all donations now?
An endowment provides a stable source of income to address community needs forever, and contributions to Give256 provide a lasting legacy of the donors who support it. The impact of these investments will continue to benefit the community long after the donations have been made. Additionally, our community is growing and changing each year, and the needs of tomorrow may be different from our needs today. Give256 will be here to meet the needs of the community both now and forever.
Can I make an honorary or memorial gift?
An honorary or memorial donation to Give256 is a perfect way to honor those who loved this community and called it “home.”
Kaitlynn Roark
Inspired by the belief that together we can do more, Kaitlynn Roark and her sister Amy launchedHuntsville’s first giving circle in 2017. Amy had learned