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. 

Community Philanthropy Update - June 2017

This month I’m highlighting the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program, which I’m delighted to report continues to add distinction to the work of the field. I'm also sharing several other resources below to help kick off the summer season, including “21st-Century Tools for 21st-…

Managing Effectively Across Differences: The Impact of Implicit Bias on Leadership

Event Details An intimate group of thought leaders from the higher education, philanthropic and corporate sectors came together for a unique convening designed to explore the impact of implicit bias on leadership and operational excellence. This convening aimed to accomplish the following…

When It Comes to DAFs, Stifling Regulation Is Not the Answer

In Star Wars, Episode IV (still the best one in my opinion!), when the Death Star looms large in front of the Millenium Falcon, Luke Skywalker mutters, “I have a very bad feeling about this.” When it comes to federal regulation of donor advised funds, I’m beginning to feel the same way. Donor…

Hill Legislation Shows Standards Continues to Provide Value

This week’s activity on the CHARITY Act showed us that the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® continues to provide value for community foundations. The National Standards program was recognized in drafting the act’s legislation for the IRA Charitable Rollover. Senate staff…

Council on Foundations Statement on the Introduction of the CHARITY Act

Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill: “Today’s introduction of the ‘Charities Helping Americans Regularly Throughout the Year Act of 2017’ (CHARITY Act, S. 1343) is a welcome step towards protecting and growing our nation’s…

With Pride Month, We Remember the Push for Equality Continues

One year ago today, our nation was rocked by the horrific attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. In a message expressing our solidarity with those affected by the attack, we noted that it was particularly tragic because this event occurred at a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and…

Supporting Organizations

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources This chapter discusses the federal tax laws governing supporting organizations. As a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1969, private foundations receive considerably less favorable treatment under tax law…

What to Expect from an Audit

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources This chapter addresses what foundations should expect from an audit. Nonprofits, including private foundations, are bracing for an uptick in audit activity from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as it…

Foundation Finance and Investment Management

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources This chapter examines Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) and other laws that govern the management and investment of endowments and other foundation financial assets. It also…

Washington Snapshot - June 8, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: Congress must address a packed agenda before getting to tax reform “Johnson Amendment” may be discussed in House hearing DOE aims to reduce regulations following EO President Trump unveils infrastructure plan in budget In the States:…

Policy and Private Philanthropy Part 1: President’s Budget and Congressional Appropriations

Members, Access the Recording Many of our private foundation members are worried about the President’s budget and how it will affect the nonprofit organizations they fund. This webinar is designed to give you a better understanding of the process and impact of the President’s proposed cuts to…

2017 Endowments & Finance Summit

Join us in New York! Now in its third year, the Endowments and Finance Summit is the premier convening to hear expert insights and have in-depth conversations on the best practices and financial strategies to get a competitive advantage in the philanthropic advisory marketplace. Here’s why…

Washington Snapshot - June 1, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Take Action: Extend the Charitable Deduction to All Americans Tax Reform Update: Competing legislative priorities complicate tax reform prospects State Reliance on Federal Funds New York Revitalization Act Amendments Go into Effect Extend the Charitable…

In Hilton Head, One Foundation Is Working to Provide Public Sewer to Homes

Editor’s Note: This blog post spotlights Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which was one of 10 recipients of the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The awards are a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Council on…

Washington Snapshot - May 25, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Ways and Means holds tax reform hearing, tension builds around border adjustment idea New research estimates sharp decrease in giving under proposed tax code changes Trump administration releases FY 2018 budget In the States: New York nonprofit contractors…

Global Philanthropy Update - May 2017

Council staff are back in D.C. after a whirlwind Annual Conference in Dallas last month, where we were joined by more than 1000 attendees from around the world. You can see conference highlights at cof.org/2017annual. Thank you to all of our global speakers and especially to our global conference…
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