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.
Benchmarking Beyond Asset Size Top 100 Lists - FY 2010
Publication
In this publication, CF Insights highlights attributes that characterize community foundations in ways beyond asset values.
2010 Columbus Survey participants are ranked based on:
Most Active Grantmakers—distribution rates, with percent of donor-advised assets
Most Gifts per Capita—gifts per…
Trends Across the Community Foundation Field: Columbus Survey 2010 Results: Guideposts Point to Growth
Publication
Provides a snapshot of community foundation asset growth and activity during 2010. Findings are based on over 250 community foundation responses to a Columbus Foundation survey as of March 2011. Looks at trends, grantmaking, operating expenses, and other metrics.
2010 Columbus Survey of Community Foundations: List of Top 100 Community Foundations by Asset Size
Publication
Includes results of the 2010 Columbus Survey of Community Foundations that pertain to the top 100 community foundations by asset size as of April 28, 2011. Chart includes the community foundation name, amount of assets at time of survey, and fiscal year end (FYE). Stats are based on 2009 data.
2009 Columbus Survey Results: Guideposts on the Path to Recovery
Publication
With this report, "Guideposts on the Path to Recovery," CF Insights' aim is to share 2009 highlights following a February 2009 report that looked in depth at 2008 results. This report is based on over 200 community foundations' contributions to the Columbus Survey as of March 2010.
2009 Columbus Survey of Community Foundations: List of Top 100 Community Foundations by Asset Size
Publication
Includes results of the 2009 Columbus Survey of Community Foundations that pertain to the top 100 community foundations by asset size. The table includes the community foundation name, amount of assets at the time of the survey, and fiscal year-end (FYE).
2008 Columbus Survey Results: Guideposts for Growth and Grantmaking
Publication
This report, developed from Columbus Survey data, highlights trends in common metrics across the community foundation field. The report provides 2008 results. This field-wide data begins to answer the question of how community foundations have fared in the economic crisis. It is important to note…
DEI Roundtable: Small and Mighty: Spearheading DEI Initiatives for Small Teams
We are excited to share an inspiring and transformative Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Roundtable Series, tailored specifically for professionals implementing DEI work in the philanthropic sector. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, learn new tools and…
Community Philanthropy Update - August 2023
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There are a lot of changes coming for National Standards. Plus, HR Summit and the VAP Peer Learning Circle.
Greetings Friend,
Since the early 2000s, the…
2023 UN General Assembly Philanthropic Side-Events
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Goals House UNGA
September 17 - 20 | In-Person
Philanthropies Represented: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Register now
Monday, September 18, 2023
Better Together World Congress 2023
September 18 | Hybrid
Philanthropies Represented: Better Together Foundation…
2023 Annual Member Meeting
The virtual 2023 Annual Member Meeting included approval of the nominations for the Board of Directors and the State of the Council address from Kathleen Enright, President and CEO, Council on Foundations.
Celebrating our 2023 Council Award Winners
During our 2023 Annual Member Meeting,…
CF Insights Survey Results
Explore the latest data reflecting community foundation growth and operational activity.
Explore the 2022 data
Explore the CF Insights benchmarking tool and submit your foundation's data at any time.
Explore the Database
Philanthropy's Response to Hawaiʻi Wildfires
Overview
Over 100 people have died in the wildfires sweeping through the Hawaiʻian island of Maui. Although wildfires and hurricanes are part of "seasonal realities" in the state, strong winds from Hurricane Dora have made this fire the nation's deadliest in over 100 years. Lahaina, a historic…
Artificial Intelligence in Philanthropy: Trends and Responsible Use
View the recording of this thought-provoking webinar on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its significance in shaping digital infrastructure and enhancing equitable outcomes for the social sector.
In this session, speakers from the philanthropic sector discussed how the power of…
Community Philanthropy Update - July 2023
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Recapping some of the highlights from Leading Locally 2023: CF Insights and Leading Locally All Year Long.
Greetings Friend,
Thank you to the more than 850…
Values-Aligned Philanthropy: Implementing Policies at Community Foundations
Are you struggling to communicate with key stakeholders about your anti-hate funding policy? Have you found implementing these policies to be murkier than expected? Or maybe you haven’t engaged with values-aligned philanthropy yet, and you’re looking for a place to start? Join this interactive…
SDG Learning Circle for Foundations November 2023 Meeting
Join us for the November meeting of our Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.
Connect with foundation peers to learn about the United…
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