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. 

Bainbridge Excursion

Dive into a true Seattle experience, beginning with a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound. Enjoy lunch on the island, then take a tour of the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial guided by our friends at Trust for Public Land highlighting the history and resilience of the Bainbridge Island…

Peer Forum: How Community Foundations Work Across Differences

Community foundation leaders are invited to join the Council on Foundations, in partnership with the Trust for Civic Life and Community Foundations for Civic Health for a special pre-conference at Building Together 2026 to explore how community foundations are actively working to navigate deep…

Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - December 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…

Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - October 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America & the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…

Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - July 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…

Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - May 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across…

Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - December 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…

Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - October 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…

Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - August 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…

Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - July 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…

Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - May 2026

This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…

Washington Snapshot: Treasury 990 Transparency Initiative

The Department of the Treasury announced plans to revise Form 990 to “improve transparency, strengthen tax administration, and provide clearer reporting on certain activities of tax-exempt organizations.” These activities include government grants and contracts, as well as fiscal sponsorships. Plus…

Preparing for a Successful Building Together Experience

As the beginning of May inches (or maybe barrels) closer, the anticipation of travel builds. This comes with real excitement for learning, connecting, and inspiration, but it also comes with some challenges. Work travel isn’t easy, but conferences like this, in my experience, are always worth it!…

Community Philanthropy Update - April 2026

Members can join the CF Leadership Coalition to stay more informed, connected, and involved with the field and the Council. Learn more at our info session on May 14!

Federal Scholarship Tax Credit for Contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations

The IssueThe One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA - P.L. 119-21) included a provision (Section 70411) to create a new nonrefundable tax credit for contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). An SGO is defined as a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides scholarships to students for…

Washington Snapshot: FY2027 Presidential Budget Request

Last Friday, the Trump Administration released the White House’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) President’s Budget Request. Plus, Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers, an Executive Order on elections, and more.
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