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. 

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Donor-Advised Funds Deep Dive for Community Foundations - April 2027

Join the Council’s Legal Resources team for an overview of donor-advised funds (DAFs) and the federal rules governing their operation. This workshop will cover the legal definition of a DAF and explain permissible distributions, prohibited donor benefits, and potential tax penalties under IRC…

Legal Basics for Community Foundations - Virtual - March 2027

Training Hours:Tuesday, March 9, 1-4:30 p.m. ETThis workshop will include:  An overview of the nonprofit universe including information about including 501(c)(3) organizations and the differences between public charities and private foundations.Introduction to the statues, tax codes, and legal…

Global Grantmaking Essentials - March 2027

Led by Council on Foundations staff with collectively decades of experience with global philanthropy, the Global Grantmaking Essentials will also feature guest speakers with deep knowledge on specific issues or countries.Course HoursTuesday, March 16: 1-5 p.m. ETThursday, March 18: 1-5 p.m.…

Working Across Differences - Center for Community Foundations

Community Foundations are uniquely positioned to revitalize civic culture by building community capacity to work across differences to solve real, everyday problems and achieve shared goals, together.Many community foundations are already leading in this way, but many more are looking to deepen…

Conservation, Education, and Community in Nebraska

Natalie Kovarik (@nataliekovarik) shares how a generous gift from two Nebraska farmers, Walt and Virginia Bagley, has become a 145 acre nature preserve with support from the Lincoln Community Foundation and many other local nonprofits. body.group-subsites.node--type-blog.gb-anim .gb-reveal {…

Eat, Drink, and Change Lives in Georgia

Corey Jones (@coreymjones3) shares how Cafe Momentum, with support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (@blankfoundation), is providing young people in Atlanta with opportunities for paid internships, mentoring, education, and real-world experience to build the skills they'll need to thrive…

Career Pathways 2027-28 Application Office Hours

During this session, expect to discuss:2027-28 program scheduleCurriculumApplication ProcessWaldman ScholarshipProgram benefits, outcomes, and much more!Details to Note:Come prepared with questions for the Q&A sectionThis session will be recordedApplications for the Career Pathways 2027-28…

Career Pathways 2027-28 Program Information Session

During this session, expect to discuss:2027-28 program scheduleCurriculumApplication ProcessWaldman ScholarshipProgram benefits, outcomes, and much more!Details to Note:Come prepared with questions for the Q&A sectionThis session will be recordedApplications for the next Career Pathways Cohort…

Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals Course - Virtual - February 2027

Taught by a variety of seasoned and experienced community foundation leaders and Council experts, this course helps community foundation staff and board members master the unique aspects of the community foundation field. You'll learn about effective practices, get helpful tools and information,…

Community Foundation Week Sample Op-Ed

Sample Document
Replace all bracketed and highlighted text with your foundation’s information before distributing.Community Foundation’s are supporting...[BY-LINE] [OPEN WITH A SPECIFIC STORY. DESCRIBE ONE PERSON, FAMILY, OR ORGANIZATION, THE CHALLENGE THEY FACED, AND WHAT CHANGED. NAME THE OTHER PARTNERS WHO…

Community Foundation Week Sample Press Release

Sample Document
Replace all bracketed and highlighted text with your foundation’s information before distributing.[FOUNDATION LETTERHEAD]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE[INSERT DATE]Contact: [INSERT NAME][INSERT PHONE][INSERT EMAIL][INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION’S NAME] Joins Nationwide Recognition of the Local Impact of…

Community Foundation Week 2026 Resources

Toolkit
November 12-18: Engage with Your Local Community Today!Community Foundation Week, created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush, recognizes the important work of community foundations across the country and their collaborative and innovative approach to working with the public, private, and…

Summary: the International Criminal Court’s Designation as a Specially Designated National Under Executive Order 14203

Updated October 15, 2026Prepared for the Council by Lowenstein Sandler LLPOn October 9, 2026, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) as an institution, under section 1(a)(ii)(A) of Executive Order 14203, “Imposing Sanctions on the…

501(c)(4) Organizations and Nonprofit Political Activity

The Issue501(c)(4) social welfare organizations are tax-exempt nonprofits that operate primarily to promote the common good and general welfare of their communities. Unlike 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, 501(c)(4)s may engage in unlimited lobbying related to their missions and may participate…

CF Insights Peer Connections - November 2026

Future-Ready Foundations: Peer Roundtable on Finance & OperationsAs community foundations navigate an increasingly complex and evolving landscape, the finance and operations function plays a critical role in organizational sustainability, strategic decision-making and being able to successfully…

Community Investment in Kentucky

Gerry Brooks (@gerrybrooksprin) shares how organizations like The Foundation for Appalachia and their Sycamore Project are using community investment, research, and on-the-ground organizing, to build toward a healthier future for the region and for Kentucky.  body.group-subsites.node--type-…
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