Two local organizations worked together to set up an endowment for Friends of Lake Darling. The endowment was established through the Community Foundation of Washington County. With this, the Friends of Lake Darling will have a secure and permanent source of funding with annual distributions. Also, donations of $100 or more to this fund are eligible for the Endow Iowa State Tax Credit which gives donors a tax credit of 25% of their donation in addition to the regular federal charitable deduction.

Friends of Lake Darling was formed in 2001 to help with park projects and seek funds to enhance it. The Community Foundation of Washington County was formed in 2006 and is a component fund of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.