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.
Bridging Federal and State Political Divides to Address Family Economic Inequality
Join the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, and the American Public Human Services Association on their journey to advance whole family approaches to economic mobility, leveraging a unique public-private partnership with diverse perspectives including…
Pushing the Policy Envelope: Foundations Acting in a Pivotal Time
We are in a pivotal time for public policy action in our nation. Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn, and racial justice crisis magnified the deep-rooted systemic barriers that prevent many Americans — especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other marginalized…
Community Philanthropy Update - April 2021
Dear Friend,
Over the last two years, conversations with community foundation leaders from across the country have deepened my understanding of the complexity and importance of your work. I have a personal commitment to advocating for the unique needs and priorities of community foundations, and…
Reclaiming Community
Designed by and for community foundation CEOs, this preconference session will focus on the critical role community foundations play in building community. Specifically, we will explore the role of community foundations in repairing the frayed threads of trust, unity and inclusion in our…
Community Foundation Legal Question of the Month
June 2021
We have a DAF advisor who is interested in making a grant to a new nonprofit organization that is still waiting on their 501(c)(3) determination. The grant they are recommending is for a specific project of the organization. Can we still make the grant if we do expenditure responsibility…
Pushing the Policy Envelope: Foundations Acting in a Pivotal Time
Pushing the Policy Envelope: Foundations Acting in a Pivotal Time
June 14 | 12:00-3:00 p.m. ET
We are in a pivotal time for public policy action in our nation. Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn, and racial justice crisis magnified the deep-rooted systemic…
Reclaiming Community
Reclaiming Community
June 14 | 12:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Designed by and for community foundation CEOs, this preconference session will focus on the critical role community foundations play in building community. Specifically, we will explore the role of community foundations in repairing…
Grappling with Global Threats from Within and Without
Grappling with Global Threats from Within and Without
June 14 | 12:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Global grantmaking is more important and urgent than ever before. However, to address crises around the world, foundations working internationally must adapt to overcome new threats to their work and…
Leading Together 2021 - Sponsors
Sponsors
The Council thanks all of our sponsors for their generous support of Leading Together.
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Corporate Legal - Ask Me Anything FAQs
What is the Philanthropy Exchange?
The Philanthropy Exchange is a peer-to-peer platform that connects Council members around shared interests, topics, or resources. The Exchange is a member-only benefit open to Council members and invited guests. To help you get started on the Exchange, here is a…
Corporate Legal Ask Me Anything
As a corporate grantmaker, do you have questions about legal challenges impacting your work? From self-dealing considerations to legal rules around scholarships and employee assistance programs, all topics are up for discussion and support from the Council’s legal team during our Corporate Legal…
Leading Together 2021 - Working Group
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We want to thank and recognize the hard work of the amazing group of individuals who helped us plan Leading Together 2021.
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Deidre Lind
President & CEO,…
Leading Together 2021 - Sponsor Opportunities
Sponsor opportunities
Sponsorship is one of the best ways to elevate your organization as a thought leader and highlight your commitment to advancing the work of the philanthropic sector.
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To discuss sponsorship…
Leading Together 2021 - Experience
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This is not your typical Zoom. We planned this conference with YOU in mind. Our conference platform and thoughtful program design will give you the chance to expand your thinking, reconnect with old friends, build new relationships, and get energized for the work ahead…
Leading Together 2021 - Schedule
Schedule
Leading Together 2021 featured dynamic opportunities to learn, connect, and reflect. Our programming catalyzed courageous, perspective-shifting conversations about how we can improve as a sector and tackle the biggest challenges of our time together.
This schedule is…
Leading Together 2021 - Register
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Memberpricing
Council member discounted rate is $279.…
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