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.
Philanthropy's Response to 2024 California Winter Storms
Overview
A powerful atmospheric river swept through Southern California, causing over 300 mudslides and record-breaking rainfall. With devastation to homes and buildings and nearly 150,000 people grappling with power outages, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in Southern California…
Philanthropy's Response to the 2024 Chile Wildfires
Overview
The deadly wildfires spreading across Chile have destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in the Valparaiso and Vina del Mar regions. At least 120 people have been killed and hundreds are still missing, making this Chile's deadliest wildfire on record.
This page will continue to be…
The Community Foundation Advisory Group: A Recap of 2023 and What’s Next in 2024
As the current Co-Chairs of the Council on Foundations’ Community Foundation Advisory Group, we wanted to reflect on the conversations and issues we have covered over the past year and share some key takeaways with our peers across the sector.
The Advisory Group represents community foundations…
Scholarships
Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
Part of Mastering Foundation Law
Providing scholarships to individuals is a popular method of charitable giving in the U.S. But following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and the ongoing Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund case, charitable…
2024 Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort Application Q&A
Are you looking for a supportive community of funders to help you build constructive dialogue and understanding across differences? You’ll get just that with the Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort.
The Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort is a facilitated virtual learning experience meeting…
Global Philanthropy’s Crucial Role in Ukraine on the Second Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion
Global philanthropy generously provided initial humanitarian aid to the Ukraine crisis caused by Russia's unprovoked war, offering essential support like food, clothing, and shelter. Yet, as Putin's invasion shows no signs of ending, Ukrainians confront escalating needs. Despite reduced news…
Community Philanthropy Update - January 2024
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The Community Foundation Advisory Group is looking for new members. Apply today!
Greetings Friend,
The Council’s Community Foundation Advisory Group represents…
Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - October 2024
Join this discussion for peer-led insights to gain knowledge and inspiration from your peers in the field. Topic will be announced!
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from fellow professionals in the philanthropic advising and donor stewardship space. Register today…
Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - August 2024
Join this discussion for peer-led insights to gain knowledge and inspiration from your peers in the field. Topic will be announced!
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from fellow professionals in the philanthropic advising and donor stewardship space. Register today…
Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - June 2024
Join this discussion for peer-led insights to gain knowledge and inspiration from your peers in the field. Topic will be announced!
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from fellow professionals in the philanthropic advising and donor stewardship space. Register today…
Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - April 2024
Stewardship Events: Creating Memorable Donor Experiences
Join us for a dynamic virtual meet-up focused on stewardship events in donor services. This engaging session will address the challenges of events, including gauging interest, attendance, technology for hybrid events, accommodating audiences…
How Philanthropy Is Investing in Belonging, Bridging, and Building Common Ground
Faced with rising social division and discord, the philanthropic sector is increasingly pursuing strategies to connect and collaborate across differences and counteract toxic polarization. In 2023, the Council, PACE, and New Pluralists teamed up to conduct a landscape scan to better…
Philanthropy is a Catalyst for Unlikely Alliances
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?
In the 1830s Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that he was astonished by Americans’ collective…
Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - February 2024
Strategies for Onboarding and Educating Donors
Join us for an insightful virtual meet-up focused on the strategies and best practices of onboarding and educating donors. Discover how your peers across the nation provide essential educational resources and engaging programs designed to empower…
Unpacking Community Foundation Trends: FY22 Annual CF Insights Survey Results
Interested in delving further into the most recent CF Insights survey of community foundations? Curious about ways your community foundation can make the most of the data?
During this webinar, David Rosado, the Council’s Senior Advisor for Community Philanthropy, discussed the latest…
Info Session: The Council & Independent Sector’s Amicus Brief in Support of Fearless Foundation
The Council on Foundations and Independent Sector filed an amicus brief on December 12 in support of Fearless Foundation. We filed the brief because we believe that foundations, charitable nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and individuals have the right to exercise their views through giving…
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