More than 900 community foundations work in the United States. They share distinct ways of operating, grantmaking, and partnering. Having a shared space to access collective knowledge – and learn from it – helps the entire field move forward.
We created the Center for Community Foundations to serve that need. It’s a central source for trusted resources, knowledge, and advocacy on behalf of the field. It features an ever-growing set of relevant resources including:
- Premier professional development courses – Learn and master the unique aspects of the field in Community Foundation Excellence courses, created and led by experienced community foundation practitioners.
- Easy-to-use community foundation law guide – The Council’s Compendium of Legal Resources includes a comprehensive overview of laws and regulations governing community foundations, written for the non-lawyer.
- Peer benchmarking data and tools – CF Insights tracks community foundation operations and performance. The peer benchmarking tool lets staff members compare data and informs strategic decisions.
- Excellence in community foundation management – Created by and for community foundations, accreditation through Community Foundations National Standards is a way to demonstrate accountability and excellence. Over 400 community foundations are currently active in the program.
- Practical guidance for making global grants – This includes country-specific legal guidelines and State of Global Giving by U.S. Foundations reports.
75 Years of Working Together
The Center builds on 75 years of community foundation input, collaboration, and investment.
Historical Milestones
1949
Community foundations form the earliest version of the Council on Foundations
Led by Edward L. Ryerson, a group of community foundations organizes the National Committee on Foundations and Trusts for Community Welfare. Chicago Community Trust provided office space to this new organization.
1957
The National Council on Community Foundations is incorporated
The Committee formed in 1949 changes its name and incorporates as a nonprofit organization.
1964
The Council on Foundations, Inc. becomes the new name as the organization expands membership to other types of grantmakers
New bylaws enable family and corporate foundations to become voting members of the organization.
1985
The Council hosts its first Fall Conference for Community Foundations
The conference offers tailored programming to support community foundations as leaders, conveners, and partners. The conference would continue to evolve in future iterations to serve the needs of the field.
2000
The Council adopts Community Foundation National Standards
These 26 standards, created by and for community foundations, provide a framework for demonstrating excellence and accountability, and would serve as the basis for accreditation within the field beginning in 2005.
2009
The Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) advances the accreditation process
Created as a separate supporting organization to the Council, CFNSB begins administering its accreditation program through the application of the 26 standards developed in 2000. The Council offers ongoing operational support to the National Standards program.
2014
Community Foundation Centennial commemorates 100 years of place-based partnerships
This year-long celebration honors the legacy of the Cleveland Foundation, the world’s first community foundation created by Frederick Goff in 1914.
Recent Council Milestones
Since 2019, under Kathleen Enright’s leadership, the Council has adapted or added offerings to respond to the distinct needs of community foundations.
2022
Donor-advised fund (DAF) recommendations promote effective use
The Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group, composed of community foundation leaders and convened by the Council on Foundations, releases practical recommendations to promote effective, transparent use of DAFs to address community needs.
2022
New Community Foundation Advisory Group forms and begins identifying opportunities to better serve the sector
Representing the interests of community foundations across the country, the group assists the Council with strategic decisions related to the field and elevates the issues of most importance to the sector.
2023
The Council acquires CF Insights to expand access to field-wide data
In acquiring this peer benchmarking platform from Candid, the Council adds a critical resource to help community foundations make informed organizational decisions and brings comparative data to even more who could benefit from it.
2023
Biennial Leading Locally conference launches to expand place-based learning
The conference offers tailored programming to support community foundations as leaders, conveners, and partners.
2024
The Center for Community Foundations launches
Many Voices, One-of-a-Kind Perspective
The Center builds on 75 years of history to provide perspective that’s broad, deep, and useful. It’s supported by long-term partnerships and informed by an advisory group of community foundation leaders who:
- Represent diverse community foundation wants and needs to assist the Council in identifying new opportunities to better serve the sector.
- Advise the Council’s strategic approach to engaging community foundations, weighing in on important decisions about Council-led activities like events, peer conversations, publications, and more.
- Assist the Council in partnering effectively with peer community foundation-serving organizations to better coordinate and align efforts that advance the sector.
- Build relationships between and among community foundations from across the country on the Advisory Group.
