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.
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Peter Dunn
Peter Dunn, Central New York Community Foundation
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: I landed in philanthropy by accident. In my late 20's, as a young and disgruntled litigator, I helped to handle a civil case involving embezzlement by a private foundation trustee.…
General Service Foundation and Tara McKenzie Sandercock Honored as 2021 Council on Foundations Awards Winners
The Council on Foundations (“the Council”) today recognized outstanding leadership in the philanthropic sector through its awards program. Tara McKenzie Sandercock, Senior Vice President of Grants and Community Partnerships at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, is this year’s winner of…
Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals Course - Virtual - May 2022
SOLD OUT!
Virtual Course-Live Instruction, Not Recorded
May 4 | 5 | 11 | 12
1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
A well-trained staff and an informed board are critical to the success of community foundations in our fast-changing world. This traditionally in-person, two-day course adapted to virtual in four,…
How to Calculate the Public Support Test
Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law:
The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources
In the United States, organizations that qualify to receive charitable tax-deductible contributions are described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Tax Code. These organizations are divided into two main…
Washington Snapshot: Passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House and new PPP guidance from the IRS
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
House Democrats Pass Build Back Better Act
IRS Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program
New Funds for Community-Based Efforts to Address Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination
White House Tribal Nations Actions…
Community Philanthropy Update - November 2021
A lot of things worth celebrating are on my radar this month – Thanksgiving is coming up and I am looking forward to the baking that entails. We’ve just finished commemorating Community Foundation Week and I am currently enjoying collecting leaves with my daughter after they turn from green to red…
Washington Snapshot: House to Vote on Infrastructure and Reconciliation Packages
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
House to Vote on Infrastructure and Reconciliation Packages
Federal Healthcare Open Enrollment Extended
Remembering the Sacrifices of the Nation's Veterans
Happening in the States
News from the Council
A Big Thank You…
Washington Snapshot: Democrats Announce Build Back Better Framework
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
Democrats Announce Build Back Better Framework
IRS Sets Standards on LLCs Seeking Exempt Status
Federal Reserve Board Webcast Conference on Topics of Diversity and Inclusion
Child Tax Credit Sign-Up Deadline Approaches…
Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services
As part of Member Week 2021, the Council welcomes all community foundation staff who are philanthropic advisors or involved in donor stewardship to join a peer-led discussion. This is a space to create new connections and discuss ways to support donors, explore gift options, and keep donors engaged…
Community Philanthropy Update - October 2021
You may have started your career in philanthropy knowing that community foundations not only impact the neighborhoods they serve, but also inspire a commitment to the greater good across counties, states, and the country — or you may have learned this along the way. Community Foundation Week,…
Public Policy Action Network
What is the Council’s Public Policy Action Network?
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive.…
Washington Snapshot: Talks Ongoing on Democrats' Legislative Priorities
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
Talks Ongoing on Democrats' Legislative Priorities
U.S. Department of Education Revamps Public Service Loan Forgiveness
USDA's Equity Commission Nomination
Happening in the States
News from the Council
Join the Council…
Career Pathways 2022 Program Information - Office Hours
Join us for the 2022 Career Pathways Program Information Office Hours to answer any questions you have about the program, application, Waldman scholarship, etc.!
The 2022 Career Pathways program is expanding! We will host a spring cohort from February to June 2022 and a fall cohort from…
New Member Orientation - Member Benefits & Networking
Is your organization a new Council member or are you new to the Council community? Please join us (virtually) to celebrate you, our newest members, during our 2021 Member Week.
This interactive session will help you take advantage of exclusive Council member benefits, while also connecting with…
Aligning Endowments & Investments with Foundation Values
As philanthropy continues to support nonprofits and invest in local communities, foundations across the country are looking beyond their grantmaking to better leverage their endowments and investments to further their mission. The recent 2020 Study of Investment of Endowments for Private…
2021 Membership Week
Celebrate, Convene, Connect
In 2021, the Council hosted a series of virtual events that offered members the opportunity to hear directly from Council leaders and peers on some of philanthropy’s most important challenges and opportunities. These free events provided connection, insight, and…
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