Give a little. Impact a LOT.
ABOUT
FUTURE FUND
There are many ways to get involved in Greensboro. The Future Fund, however, is unique.
A group of young (22-40ish) professionals who are investing their time, energy and a few dollars into making Greensboro AWESOME.
Future Fund is an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. ”Funders” make an investment of $150 into the Future Fund endowment each year. Once they are a funder they can be involved as much or as little as they like in the events and committee throughout the year.
Started in 1999 by a group of community-minded, forward-thinking young professionals, the Future Fund is a pipeline for Greensboro’s next generation of philanthropic leaders. It gives members the chance to become part of something bigger than themselves while making their city a great place to live, work and play. Active members plan and produce the innovative Future Fund Program to award over $50,000 to local nonprofits.
Future Fund members, better known as Funders, gain experience in personal philanthropy and grantmaking through their work on various subcommittees to plan programs and events. They tap into opportunities for leadership experience, mentoring, and developing new skills.
Each dollar in this permanent field of interest endowment is invested for growth, ensuring the fund will exist in perpetuity for generations of young professionals to come.
FAQs
What is the cost?
Individuals can pay $150 per year.
Lifetime memberships are also available for $1250 and can be paid over five years.
Students are also encouraged to join at the student Funder rate of $50.
Want to do a monthly payment of $12.50? Email at futurefund@cfgg.org
Why be a Lifetime Member?
Lifetime members receive the eNewsletter, get invited to annual alumni and current funder events and get to be a part of giving out $50,000+ annually. Plus, you know you’ve supported the Future Fund at the highest level!
How involved do I have to be?
We get that we live in a BUSY world. The Future Fund has many ways for you to get as involved as you like or contribute where you can. No matter what your $150 donation is going to help the Greensboro community.
I want to have a say in what the Future Fund does
Awesome! Besides attending our events join a subcommittee:
Engagement Committee- Craft communications to all current and alumni members, order swag, member recruitment, and plan the social and events for the organization.
Grantmaking Committee: Create our grantmaking application, promote the application process to local nonprofits, and be a part of our annual grants cycle.
COMMITMENT: 7-9 meetings a year
What do Subcommittees do?
Grants:
The Grants Committee plays a vital role in determining our annual grantees. You help us make sure our grants process follows ethical funding practices, read grant applications and be a part of the grantee selection process, get to know the work being done by amazing nonprofits in our community, and make connections with nonprofit leaders and other Future Funders across Guilford County.
Engage:
The Engagement Committee plays a pivotal role in member recruitment and engagement. You will help produce our events throughout the year (including our signature annual event), spread the word about Future Fund, help produce content for Future Fund’s social media channels, and help us make sure our group reflects the diversity of our community.
History
Started in 1999, the Future Fund was created to help young professionals understand the importance of giving back. What made this Fund different for the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, was that it was young professionals who were the “members” raising money for the endowment, planning social and fundraising events, and choosing the grant recipients each year. It was a progressive idea at the time and even received recognition in a 2004 issue of Time Magazine.
Under the volunteer leadership of Jim and Louise Brady the Future Fund regularly had 300 members and was known as the young professionals’ group to join. The group soon began working to become a permanently endowed fund and in 2011 they hit their million-dollar goal.
In its later years the fund has seen a steep decline of active members. We believe this is a combination of factors—the original group was achieving leadership positions, having families and moving on to other groups, the generation difference of Gen X’ers and millennials now moving into this space, and a series of staff changes.
TIMELINE:
1999- Group of Future Funders meet for the first time, led by volunteer chairs Louise and Jim Brady.
2000- The group reaches 280 members and raises money through memberships matched by a donor for grantmaking.
2004—Time Magazine mentions CFGG’s Future Fund in an April issue; anonymous donor gives $250,000 to start the Ann Lineweaver Future Fund Endowment.
2011—Endowment reaches $1,000,000!!!
2013—Future Funders host signature Pig Pickin’ event and endowment grows to $1.2 million.
2018- The group establishes “Future Fund 10” to give 10 nonprofits more exposure to the community and CFGG donors.
2019- The first Future Fund 10 LIVE takes place with 10 finalists pitching to a voting audience at Triad Stage for grants totaling $42, 500+.
2020- Future Funders adapt quickly to changes during COVID-19 crisis, hosting a virtual event attended by 1,200+.
2022- Future Fund 10 LIVE returns with a crowd of 500+ at Carolina Theatre.