How to Invest in Founders Mutual Funds

Founders is a financial company that manages eight Dreyfus Founders Funds. The company specializes in growth-oriented mutual funds. Follow these steps to invest in mutual funds at Founders.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Prospectus

Invest in Founders Mutual Funds

1. Download a prospectus from the Founders Web site (see the Resources section below). You can also call [phone] to request a prospectus.

2. Call [phone] to reach a financial professional who can help you invest in Founders mutual funds. Only grandfathered shareholders (including institutional shareholders) can purchase shares. Find out more about eligibility requirements by calling this number.

Understand the Investment Policies of Founders

3. Read the prospectus, which reveals the investment objectives and strategies of the funds. Study the "Fund Summaries" section of the prospectus for information on specific funds.

4. Assess the potential risks of investing in Founders mutual funds. Read the prospectus to find information on the potential risks of the investment strategies pursued by a fund.

5. Remember to study the charges and fees associated with Founders funds. The prospectus lists the fees associated with each fund. Grandfathered shareholders do not pay transaction fees (on buying, selling or exchanging shares), but they may pay wire-transfer fees.

Manage Your Account

6. Use the "Shareholders" section of the Founders Web site to manage your account online.

7. Check the current prices of your shares online. Visit the Founders Web site, or look up the ticker symbols associated with the funds on various financial Web sites.

Tips & Warnings

• Sign up on the Founders Web site for a daily e-mail service that sends you the current net asset value (NAV) of Founders funds.
• The company's one prospectus provides information on all of the firm's mutual funds.
• Class F shares of Dreyfus Founders Funds are available only on a "grandfathered" basis. That is, only individuals and institutions that have had fund accounts continuously since December 30, 1999, may purchase shares. The exception is that individuals can receive shares as gifts from grandfathered shareholders.
• Dreyfus Founders Funds are not available to investors outside the United States.