Community Foundations
Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities. Community foundations vary widely in asset size, ranging from less than $100,000 to more than $1.7 billion.
Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving community problems. In 2017, they gave an estimated $5.48 billion to a variety of nonprofit activities in fields that included the arts and education, health and human services, the environment, and disaster relief. The Community Foundations National Standards Board confirms operational excellence in six key areas—mission, structure, and governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communications. Foundations that comply with these standards can display the official National Standards Seal. Currently, over 500 community foundations have earned the seal.
More than 900 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the United States; currently, approximately 350 are members of the Council on Foundations. The community foundation model also has taken hold around the world. Community foundations have participated in the growth of international giving by U.S. foundations in recent years, with international giving by community foundations more than tripling, from $103 million in 2011 to $315 million in 2015, and community foundations' share of overall international giving by U.S. foundations more than doubling, from 1.4 percent in 2011 to 3.4 percent in 2015.
You can use our Community Foundation Locator to view a list of community foundations in the United States.
Below is everything on our site for community foundations. We highly recommend that you use the navigation or our search feature to find what you're looking for on our site. Please also visit cof.org/community-foundations for curated community foundation content.
Washington Snapshot: Government Shutdown Set to Continue, New Members in the House Ways and Means Committee
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
No End to the Government Shutdown
New Members in the House Ways & Means Committee
Representative King Removed from Committees
Confirmation Hearing for Trump’s Attorney General Nominee
Judge Rules Against Citizenship Question on 2020 Census
State of the…
Why Foundations May Need Directors and Officers Liability
Nonprofit foundation boards often discount the need for ‘D&O’ Insurance. They tend to think because they don’t have shareholders their directors won’t be sued. That’s not the case. Foundations serve large and varied constituencies to whom their boards owe specific duties similar to the duties…
Community Philanthropy Update—January 2019
I recently heard one community foundation leader state, “How you do your work is just as important as what you do.” For me, this concept is what provides community foundations their competitive edge—how we do our work is rooted in knowing our communities; we are versatile and can pivot quickly; and…
Community Foundation Executive Roundtable Series
Community Foundation Executive Roundtables are full-day, invitation-only, roundtable conversations that bring together community foundation executives from across the country who lead organizations of various size and scope. The roundtables offer a unique opportunity to connect with…
Community Foundation Executive Roundtable - Miami, FL
The Council on Foundations invited executive staff of community foundations of various size, scope, and location to glean understanding from diverse viewpoints for an exchange of ideas to Miami, FL to discuss ways we can strengthen communities across the United States and reinforce the collective…
Community Foundation Executive Roundtable - Tucson, AZ
View Reflections from the Event
The Council on Foundations invited executive staff of community foundations of various size, scope, and location to glean understanding from diverse viewpoints for an exchange of ideas to Tucson, AZ to discuss ways we can strengthen communities across the United…
Reflections on Philanthropy
Editor's Note: Stephen Heintz received the 2018 Distinguished Service Award at an awards ceremony on November 28. Below are his remarks on the state of philanthropy from the event.
Thank you. It's customary at a moment like this to profess humility and to note all those who have made such an…
Mexico: From Prosperity to Purpose - Perspectives on Philanthropy and Social Investment Among Wealthy Individuals in Latin America
This report from the Harvard Kennedy School's Houser Institute for Civil Society examines trends in philanthropy and social investment in Mexico.
Fostering the Grassroots Leadership Capacity of Community
Members, View the Recording
Community Foundations around the country recognize that they must deploy capital beyond financial assets to improve their regions. At the same time, our community leadership has grown frustrated by the pace of change. Most of these leaders have come to understand that…
Telling Stories with Data
Members, View the Recording
These days, foundations increasingly have access to a treasure trove of data from the work of grantees and from public sources. But rather than share these data in spreadsheet format, it’s advantageous to create graphs, tables, maps, and other visual summaries of…
Updates on Global Giving and Non-Tax US Regulations that Impact Funders
Members, View the Recording
Join the Council’s senior counsel Suzanne Friday as she discusses US regulation and compliance issues outside of the U.S. Tax Code that affect global grantmakers. Topics will includes regulations like the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA), Foreign Corrupt Practices…
Community Philanthropy Update—December 2018
With the giving season in full swing, I was inspired to see community foundations embrace the global #GivingTuesday movement. This included Council member La Cross Community Foundation in Wisconsin, which surprised 15 nonprofits in person with grant checks totaling $18,000 on #GivingTuesday. A…
Webinar Recording: Show Me the Money: Fundraising Tips for Community Foundations in the New Political Landscape
Recording
Today’s political climate poses unique challenges for community foundations, particularly as local communities and nonprofits deal with changes in their communities caused by budget cuts across a variety of programs. But the challenges also pose huge opportunities to fine-tune your organization…
Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals Course - Los Angeles, CA
A well-trained staff and an informed board are critical to the success of community foundations in our fast-changing world. This two-day course helps new and experienced community foundation staff build the essential skills they need to balance governance and management.
Created and led by…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Postpones Spending Fight, Honors Former President Bush
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Spending Debate Postponed as Congress Honors Former President George H. W. Bush
Bill Including Repeal of New UBIT Provision Pulled from Consideration
Michigan Bill Seeks to Obstruct Nonprofit Oversight
News from the Hill
Spending Debate Postponed as Congress…
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