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.
Need more information? A member of our team is available to assist at membership@cof.org.
Join the Council community to gain access to member benefits tailored to help your organization thrive.
Membership benefits and services for community foundations include:
Community Foundations self-report the Management and General Expenses portion of their Total Functional Expenses from their most recent completed fiscal year to determine their annual Council membership dues and add-on costs. This is often equivalent to Section IX, Line 25, Column C in completed 990 forms. You can view how much your membership dues and add-on costs will be on the Dues and Add-Ons Cost tab.
We offer three membership add-ons for community foundations that expand your membership benefits beyond the benefits of an annual membership. Membership Add-Ons are optional and only available with a full Council membership.
CF Insights
CF Insights Add-On gives you unlimited access to peer benchmarking, customized benchmarking dashboards, and 1-on-1 assistance.
CF Leadership Coalition
CF Leadership Coalition Add-On gives you expanded policy and communications support and
access to a network committed to strengthening the field.
Add-On Bundle
Add-On Bundle includes both CF Insights and CF Leadership Coalition at a reduced rate. The Add-on Bundle is only available to new and renewing members.
Full membership and add-on benefits are detailed on the Membership Benefits, CF Insights, and CF Leadership Coalition pages. Here are comparisons of benefits that come with membership and each add-on:
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to issue-specific, role-based, and community foundation Peer Groups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only Philanthopy Exchange communities | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to CF Insights Peer Group and online community | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Access to CF Leadership Coalition online community | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-demand support from the Council's Legal Team on issues related to governance, fund management, scholarships, and more | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | s
| Free access to Mastering Foundation Law publications | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only online legal compliance guidance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member-exclusive discounts to Council trainings and cohorts, including Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) and Legal Matters for Community Foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only briefings and peer events | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to peer events focused on community foundation operations like managing geographic affiliates, technology best practices, and working with grantees | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Access to briefings on key policy issues affecting communities like housing, disaster relief, and Medicaid | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participate in the Public Policy Action Network focused on engaging and educating federal elected officials | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Updates on legislation and executive orders that could impact your foundation, such as the expanding the charitable deduction, DAF regulations, and changes to the tax code | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to Council experts for 1-1 direct support on policy related questions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct support to prepare for meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Policy briefings for your board and staff | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Customizable regulatory and policy letters | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Members-only communications and updates on issues important to the field and Council programs and services | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Policy updates tailored to community foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Community foundation news clips and analysis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to all members-only resources including communications and marketing toolkits specifically for community foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personalized support from the Council's Engagement Team on issues related to global grantmaking, foundation fundamentals, and connecting with peers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free access to the annual Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report and Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations Report | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited access to the CF Insights peer benchmarking tool | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Customized benchmarking dashboards prepared by Council staff to share with your Board | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Personalized assistance with CF Insights peer benchmarking to find peer groups and contextualize the data to make more informed strategic decisions | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Personalized media strategy guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250 Council membership discount with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations accreditation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free access to Council publications, research, webinars and webinar recordings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| $220 savings per Council Career Center job post | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Two free registrations per membership term to Council-hosted legal, advocacy, or communications-related trainings | ✓ | ✓ |
Community Foundations self-report the Management and General Expenses portion of their Total Functional Expenses from their most recent completed fiscal year to determine their annual Council membership dues and add-on costs. This is often equivalent to Section IX, Line 25, Column C in completed 990 forms.
| Management & General Expenses | Annual Membership Dues |
CF Insights Cost |
CF Leadership Coalition Cost (2026)* |
Add-On Bundle Cost** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $149,999 and under | $1,000 | $500 | $400 | $750 |
| $150,000-$349,999 | $2,500 | $750 | $800 | $1,350 |
| $350,000-$699,999 | $4,000 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $2,000 |
| $700,000-$999,999 | $7,000 | $1,750 | $2,240 | $3,500 |
| $1,000,000-$1,999,999 | $10,000 | $2,500 | $3,200 | $5,000 |
| $2,000,000-$3,999,999 | $15,000 | $3,750 | $4,800 | $7,500 |
| $4,000,000-$6,999,999 | $20,000 | $5,000 | $6,400 | $10,000 |
| $7,000,000-$11,999,999 | $25,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| $12,000,000 and over | $35,000 | $7,000 | $11,200 | $16,000 |
*These prices are an introductory rate for 2026. You must submit payment before December 31, 2026 to take advantage.
**Add-On Bundle can only be purchased for 12 months of membership (either at the start of membership or at renewal). A prorated amount for the full cost of CF Insights and/or CF Leadership Coalition will be calculated to add to a current membership.
Join the Council community to gain access to member benefits tailored to help your organization thrive.
Membership benefits and services for community foundations include:
Community Foundations self-report the Management and General Expenses portion of their Total Functional Expenses from their most recent completed fiscal year to determine their annual Council membership dues and add-on costs. This is often equivalent to Section IX, Line 25, Column C in completed 990 forms. You can view how much your membership dues and add-on costs will be on the Dues and Add-Ons Cost tab.
We offer three membership add-ons for community foundations that expand your membership benefits beyond the benefits of an annual membership. Membership Add-Ons are optional and only available with a full Council membership.
CF Insights
CF Insights Add-On gives you unlimited access to peer benchmarking, customized benchmarking dashboards, and 1-on-1 assistance.
CF Leadership Coalition
CF Leadership Coalition Add-On gives you expanded policy and communications support and
access to a network committed to strengthening the field.
Add-On Bundle
Add-On Bundle includes both CF Insights and CF Leadership Coalition at a reduced rate. The Add-on Bundle is only available to new and renewing members.
Full membership and add-on benefits are detailed on the Membership Benefits, CF Insights, and CF Leadership Coalition pages. Here are comparisons of benefits that come with membership and each add-on:
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to issue-specific, role-based, and community foundation Peer Groups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only Philanthopy Exchange communities | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to CF Insights Peer Group and online community | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Access to CF Leadership Coalition online community | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-demand support from the Council's Legal Team on issues related to governance, fund management, scholarships, and more | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | s
| Free access to Mastering Foundation Law publications | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only online legal compliance guidance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member-exclusive discounts to Council trainings and cohorts, including Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) and Legal Matters for Community Foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only briefings and peer events | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to peer events focused on community foundation operations like managing geographic affiliates, technology best practices, and working with grantees | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Access to briefings on key policy issues affecting communities like housing, disaster relief, and Medicaid | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participate in the Public Policy Action Network focused on engaging and educating federal elected officials | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Updates on legislation and executive orders that could impact your foundation, such as the expanding the charitable deduction, DAF regulations, and changes to the tax code | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to Council experts for 1-1 direct support on policy related questions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct support to prepare for meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Policy briefings for your board and staff | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Customizable regulatory and policy letters | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Members-only communications and updates on issues important to the field and Council programs and services | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Policy updates tailored to community foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Community foundation news clips and analysis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to all members-only resources including communications and marketing toolkits specifically for community foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personalized support from the Council's Engagement Team on issues related to global grantmaking, foundation fundamentals, and connecting with peers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free access to the annual Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report and Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations Report | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited access to the CF Insights peer benchmarking tool | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Customized benchmarking dashboards prepared by Council staff to share with your Board | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Personalized assistance with CF Insights peer benchmarking to find peer groups and contextualize the data to make more informed strategic decisions | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Personalized media strategy guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250 Council membership discount with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations accreditation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free access to Council publications, research, webinars and webinar recordings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| $220 savings per Council Career Center job post | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Two free registrations per membership term to Council-hosted legal, advocacy, or communications-related trainings | ✓ | ✓ |
Community Foundations self-report the Management and General Expenses portion of their Total Functional Expenses from their most recent completed fiscal year to determine their annual Council membership dues and add-on costs. This is often equivalent to Section IX, Line 25, Column C in completed 990 forms.
| Management & General Expenses | Annual Membership Dues |
CF Insights Cost |
CF Leadership Coalition Cost (2026)* |
Add-On Bundle Cost** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $149,999 and under | $1,000 | $500 | $400 | $750 |
| $150,000-$349,999 | $2,500 | $750 | $800 | $1,350 |
| $350,000-$699,999 | $4,000 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $2,000 |
| $700,000-$999,999 | $7,000 | $1,750 | $2,240 | $3,500 |
| $1,000,000-$1,999,999 | $10,000 | $2,500 | $3,200 | $5,000 |
| $2,000,000-$3,999,999 | $15,000 | $3,750 | $4,800 | $7,500 |
| $4,000,000-$6,999,999 | $20,000 | $5,000 | $6,400 | $10,000 |
| $7,000,000-$11,999,999 | $25,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| $12,000,000 and over | $35,000 | $7,000 | $11,200 | $16,000 |
*These prices are an introductory rate for 2026. You must submit payment before December 31, 2026 to take advantage.
**Add-On Bundle can only be purchased for 12 months of membership (either at the start of membership or at renewal). A prorated amount for the full cost of CF Insights and/or CF Leadership Coalition will be calculated to add to a current membership.
Join the Council community to gain access to member benefits tailored to help your organization thrive.
Our community foundation members value these membership benefits and services most:
Community Foundations self-report the Management and General Expenses portion of their Total Functional Expenses from their most recent completed fiscal year to determine their annual Council membership dues and add-on costs. This is often equivalent to Section IX, Line 25, Column C in completed 990 forms. You can view how much your membership dues and add-on costs will be on the Dues and Add-Ons Cost tab.
We offer three membership add-ons for community foundations that expand your membership benefits beyond the benefits of an annual membership. Membership Add-Ons are optional and only available with a full Council membership.
CF Insights
CF Insights Add-On gives you unlimited access to peer benchmarking, customized benchmarking dashboards, and 1-on-1 assistance.
CF Leadership Coalition
CF Leadership Coalition Add-On gives you expanded policy and communications support and
access to a network committed to strengthening the field.
Add-On Bundle
Add-On Bundle includes both CF Insights and CF Leadership Coalition at a reduced rate. The Add-on Bundle is only available to new and renewing members.
Full membership and add-on benefits are detailed on the Membership Benefits, CF Insights, and CF Leadership Coalition pages. Here are comparisons of benefits that come with membership and each add-on:
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to issue-specific, role-based, and community foundation Peer Groups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only Philanthopy Exchange communities | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to CF Insights Peer Group and online community | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Access to CF Leadership Coalition online community | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-demand support from the Council's Legal Team on issues related to governance, fund management, scholarships, and more | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | s
| Free access to Mastering Foundation Law publications | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only online legal compliance guidance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member-exclusive discounts to Council trainings and cohorts, including Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) and Legal Matters for Community Foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to members-only briefings and peer events | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to peer events focused on community foundation operations like managing geographic affiliates, technology best practices, and working with grantees | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Access to briefings on key policy issues affecting communities like housing, disaster relief, and Medicaid | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participate in the Public Policy Action Network focused on engaging and educating federal elected officials | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Updates on legislation and executive orders that could impact your foundation, such as the expanding the charitable deduction, DAF regulations, and changes to the tax code | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Access to Council experts for 1-1 direct support on policy related questions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Direct support to prepare for meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Policy briefings for your board and staff | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Customizable regulatory and policy letters | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Members-only communications and updates on issues important to the field and Council programs and services | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Policy updates tailored to community foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Community foundation news clips and analysis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to all members-only resources including communications and marketing toolkits specifically for community foundations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personalized support from the Council's Engagement Team on issues related to global grantmaking, foundation fundamentals, and connecting with peers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free access to the annual Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report and Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations Report | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited access to the CF Insights peer benchmarking tool | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Customized benchmarking dashboards prepared by Council staff to share with your Board | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Personalized assistance with CF Insights peer benchmarking to find peer groups and contextualize the data to make more informed strategic decisions | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Personalized media strategy guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Benefit | With Membership | With CF Insights | With CF Leadership Coalition | With Add-On Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250 Council membership discount with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations accreditation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free access to Council publications, research, webinars and webinar recordings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| $220 savings per Council Career Center job post | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Two free registrations per membership term to Council-hosted legal, advocacy, or communications-related trainings | ✓ | ✓ |
Community Foundations self-report the Management and General Expenses portion of their Total Functional Expenses from their most recent completed fiscal year to determine their annual Council membership dues and add-on costs. This is often equivalent to Section IX, Line 25, Column C in completed 990 forms.
| Management & General Expenses | Annual Membership Dues |
CF Insights Cost |
CF Leadership Coalition Cost (2026)* |
Add-On Bundle Cost** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $149,999 and under | $1,000 | $500 | $400 | $750 |
| $150,000-$349,999 | $2,500 | $750 | $800 | $1,350 |
| $350,000-$699,999 | $4,000 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $2,000 |
| $700,000-$999,999 | $7,000 | $1,750 | $2,240 | $3,500 |
| $1,000,000-$1,999,999 | $10,000 | $2,500 | $3,200 | $5,000 |
| $2,000,000-$3,999,999 | $15,000 | $3,750 | $4,800 | $7,500 |
| $4,000,000-$6,999,999 | $20,000 | $5,000 | $6,400 | $10,000 |
| $7,000,000-$11,999,999 | $25,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| $12,000,000 and over | $35,000 | $7,000 | $11,200 | $16,000 |
*These prices are an introductory rate for 2026. You must submit payment before December 31, 2026 to take advantage.
**Add-On Bundle can only be purchased for 12 months of membership (either at the start of membership or at renewal). A prorated amount for the full cost of CF Insights and/or CF Leadership Coalition will be calculated to add to a current membership.
For more information about Council policies and member eligibility, please reference our Membership Policy.
The Council on Foundations fosters an environment where philanthropy can thrive and cultivates a community of diverse and skilled philanthropic professionals and organizations who lead with integrity, serve as ethical stewards and advocate for progress.
