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. 

An Overview of the Law Governing Community Foundations

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources This chapter is intended to examine and explain those common legal characteristics shared by community foundations and to provide a comprehensive legal overview of the rules and regulations that govern…

Washington Snapshot - April 6, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: Congress and the administration have yet to reach consensus on an approach to tax reform Government funding is set to expire at the end of this month Private foundations and the charitable deduction—yes, you may lobby! In the States:…

Sustainability in Grant-Giving in a Conflict-Ridden Part of the World

Healing Across the Divides (HATD) is a new member of the Council on Foundations. We joined the Council to learn from others facing similar challenges globally and connect with funders to explore issues such as finding ways to better build grantee sustainability. Our mission is to “improve the…

2017 HR Summit: Achieving Equity in the Workplace

The 2017 HR Summit: Achieving Equity in the Workplace, co-hosted by the Council on Foundations and CHANGE Philanthropy, was a unique opportunity to learn how to make attendees' foundations — and philanthropy as a whole — more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Want to attend this year? Visit…

Three Trends for Community Foundations to Consider

In January, I shared some trends that will shape philanthropy in 2017, many of which also apply directly to community foundations. Now is a time of significant opportunity for community foundations, which I've seen through our customers and conversations with community foundation professionals like…

Washington Snapshot - March 30, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: What’s next for tax reform now following the ACA mishap? Congress aims to avoid government shutdown Administration weighs in as Congress gears up for a spending bill In the States: Property Tax Fights Continue in the Courts and…

The Growing Influence of Women in Philanthropy in Ireland

At #COFAnnual, our Global Philanthropy Reception and Dinner will focus on the issues and opportunities facing women and girls in the United States as well as around the world. In preparation for this event and in honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to share the following blog post from the…

Keep Partisan Politics Out of the Nonprofit Sector

This was first published on March 22 in The Hill. Washington, D.C., may be the most partisan place on earth, where anything and everything is judged by which political party you support, rather than the substance of what’s being discussed. Well, thank goodness that perspective is not shared by our…

Washington Snapshot - March 23, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Philanthropic and charitable leaders join the Philanthropy Caucus for a reception Tax Reform Update: House expected to vote on repealing the ACA today, tax reform hangs in the balance Gift substantiation bill reintroduced in the Senate Council, National…

From Jamaica to Virginia: Initial Thoughts About My Atlas Corps Journey

Excited, relieved, eager, anxious—those were some of the feelings I experienced when I found out I was selected as an Atlas Corps Fellow to serve at the Council on Foundations. I was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Jamaica when I received the confirmation email…

Global Philanthropy Update — March 2017

How did you celebrate International Women’s Day this year? Council staff wore red in solidarity with the “A Day Without a Woman” campaign. Are you worried about how proposed cuts to USG development funding might impact your international grantmaking? I recently spoke to the Chronicle about what we'…

Washington Snapshot - March 16, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Meet our team! Tax Reform Update: ACA repeal faces obstacle following the release of a CBO report East coast snow storm prompts a bipartisan road trip from Texas to D.C. The President’s budget is released President Trump issues new executive order In the…

Philanthropy as Catalysts for Collaboration

This post also appeared on SDG Philanthropy Platform's blog on March 14, 2017. What do Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the U.S. have in common, when it comes to helping implement the Sustainable Development Goals? In all four countries, philanthropy associations are working with local networks of…

When Corporations Come Knocking – Working with Corporate Donors and Employer-Related Funds

Members, Access the Recording The Council’s Senior Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, Suzanne Friday, and Director of Community Philanthropy, Brad Ward, explored funds that come from corporate donors.   Tackle issues with employer-related scholarships, disaster funds, employee…

Community Philanthropy Update — March 2017

In my humble opinion, this month ushers in some of the greatest occasions: March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, and the first day of spring. What more could you ask for? How about renewing your membership with the Council before the April 30 deadline? To take advantage of all the Council has to offer…

Council Contributions to Recent Legal Cases

As part of its advocacy work, the Council may weigh in on, or participate in, important legal cases when significant issues arise that will impact our members and the field. The Council’s participation is often as Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) whereby the Council, although not a party to the…
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