For the Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation, Christmas and the spirit of giving have been on-going projects all year as the organization's chairman, Gene Groseclos, announced that a total of $779,920 has been given to 31 Northwest Arkansas nonprofit agencies.

These grants were made possible by two donor-advised funds, Bates Charitable Trust and the Northwest Medical Auxiliary, established in the Community Foundation this past year.

"What makes this dollar amount so remarkable is that the Community Foundation is not even a year old.

The foundation is grateful to those two donor funds who recognized the potential of a community foundation and how it could make our region one of the best places to live in this country," explained Groseclos.

Both the Bates Charitable Trust and the Northwest Medical Auxiliary funds were created after Bates and Northwest Medical Center of Washington County's parent organization, Northwest Health Systems, was transferred to Quorum Health Resources and became a for-profit organization. Both organizations decided to place their remaining funds in NWACF to benefit Northwest Arkansas.

NWACF helps organizations in four counties in Northwest Arkansas including Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll.

A community foundation is a public, grant-making charity structured as a group of endowed funds.

"What sets a community foundation apart from other public charities is our flexibility to meet any individual donor's needs. For example, if a donor wishes to support a specific organization, but prefers the foundation's professional management of his/her gift, the foundation can set up a designated agency account," Groseclos said.

"The Community Foundation also makes available all the various estate planning tools as well. A donor-advised fund is also an attractive alternative to setting up a family or private foundation. The tax benefits are greater and there is less paperwork to handle in regard to the IRS," Groseclos emphasized.

For those interested in establishing a fund at NWACF or for more information, call 254-3340.