Philanthropy Services

In addition to donor collaboratives and programs, Proteus Fund provides other philanthropic services for donors, including management and consulting services to individual donors and private and family foundations. These basic services include:

  • Flexible and responsive grantmaking services, which enable donors to make grants year-round. Grants can be made within two weeks of when all proposal materials and written recommendations are received.

  • Legal review of all grant recommendations to ensure compliance with §501(c)(3) and §501(h) regulations for public charities.

  • Preparation of grant agreements, grant checks and grants disbursal.

  • Maintenance of hard copy and electronic files of all grants and reports with information and reports required by the Internal Revenue Service.

  • Financial and investment management and quarterly reporting (or reporting scheduled to the preference of the client).

  • Management of any related consulting contracts.

Donor advised fund management: Proteus Fund offers a range of customized programs that meet the individual grantmaking interests of donors within our areas of expertise. We accept contributions of $10,000 or more to establish accounts for future grantmaking to groups recommended by the donor. Such funds are set up for long- or short-term payout and may be used to protect the identity of the donor and to maximize tax advantages. Donors have the option of choosing from the full array of grantmaking services to create a program that meets individual passions and goals. Proteus Fund donor advised funds have awarded over $14,000,000 in grants.

Philanthropic advising: Proteus Fund offers consulting services to individuals and foundations interested in research and funding strategies within our areas of expertise. Work may range from advice on specific grants to development of a full docket or strategy development for a new area of grantmaking.

Private foundation management: Proteus Fund’s management of private foundations includes the development of grantmaking initiatives, educational services for multi-generational boards of directors, preparing dockets for funding, and coordinating grants meetings. Additional consulting services, such as in-depth research projects on relevant issues, are also available to donors. We currently manage two private foundations:

  • COLOMBE FOUNDATION - seeks to create a peaceful world through changes in American policy. Grantees work for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, a shift from war and aggression to conflict prevention and resolution, and a shift from wasteful military spending to investments in programs addressing poverty, environmental degradation and other root causes of violence. The foundation makes grants to organizations in the United States that share its mission and are working to: educate the public and influence decision makers; promote alternative policies and initiate media coverage.
  • CARETH FOUNDATION - seeks to promote a compassionate world of enduring and just peace with social, economic and political equality for all through the creation of a global community of shared values; empowerment of people who have been excluded from full participation; promotion of genuine democracy in the United States; promotion of peaceful conflict resolution and the elimination of the root causes of conflict.