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. 

National Standards Conference Call

The purpose of this monthly call is to offer community foundation staff a venue to voice questions or concerns related to the National Standards program. The input of community foundation staff is critical to the success of the program. Additionally, this call provides an opportunity for…

National Standards Conference Call

The purpose of this monthly call is to offer community foundation staff a venue to voice questions or concerns related to the National Standards program. The input of community foundation staff is critical to the success of the program. Additionally, this call provides an opportunity for…

National Standards Conference Call

The purpose of this monthly call is to offer community foundation staff a venue to voice questions or concerns related to the National Standards program. The input of community foundation staff is critical to the success of the program. Additionally, this call provides an opportunity for…

Don't Be Caught Off-Guard This Tax Season: A Guide for Navigating the New UBIT Rules

Recording
Does your organization provide parking/transportation benefits to employees or do you already file the Form 990-T? If you answered yes to either of those questions, your organization will owe taxes for 2018 and the filing process is going to be different than it was last year. The Council’s…

Global Philanthropy Update - November 2018

Although votes in some races are still being counted, we know the results of the US midterm election will lead to changes in Washington in the new year that may impact global grantmakers. From changing Congressional committee leaders to upcoming reviews of US foreign assistance and the 2020 budget…

Immediate and Emerging Needs Arising from the California Fires

Philanthropy California is offering funders an up-to-the-minute briefing on the fires, local and state agency responses, and how to aid local efforts and avoid fraud. As impacted communities in Northern and Southern California continue to grapple with the devastation resulting from the Camp,…

A Primer for Funders on CDFI’s: Co-Investing in Opportunity Zones and Inclusive Community Development

Members, View the Recording With the passage of last year’s tax code overhaul, Congress created Opportunity Zones—areas in low-income census tracks designated by governors, where private equity investors can invest capital gains in new development ventures in exchange for tax forgiveness after 10…

Washington Snapshot: Republicans Vote on Leadership for the 116th Congress, Council Submits UBIT Siloing Comments to Treasury

Please be advised: Washington Snapshot will be taking a break next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish all of our readers a safe and happy Thanksgiving and will return with Snapshot on Nov. 29! In This Week's Edition of Snapshot... House Leadership Elections Taking Place Over Next Few…

Washington Snapshot: 2018 Midterm Elections Edition

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Democrats Take the House, Republicans Make Gains in the Senate Tax-Writing Committees Will Look Different in 116th Congress 2018 Midterms Bring A Lot of Firsts More Election News Attorney General Sessions Resigns 2018 Ballot Measures Wrap-Up Don’t Miss…

Webinar Recording: Words Matter: Getting Your Communications Ready for #CFWeek

Recording
With Community Foundation Week (#CFWeek) just days away, this midday webinar is the perfect time to brush up on communications tips around pitching press releases, creating marketing email campaigns that click with your audience, navigating social media, and showcasing your foundation's work…

Washington Snapshot: Impact of Tax Reform on Charities Still Unclear, Additional Tax Cuts Not Likely This Year

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Impact of Tax Reform on Charities Still Unclear Additional Tax Cuts Not Likely This Year Issues on the Minds of Candidates and Voters Voter Education Made Easy Election Resources News from the Hill Impact of Tax Reform on Charities Still Unclear POLITICO…

Community Foundations Can Help Make the Most of Opportunity Zones

Interest is growing in a new tax incentive meant to spur growth and economic opportunity in the nation’s most distressed communities. “Opportunity Zones” were included in the 2017 tax bill after a bipartisan push to spur private capital into places that continue to fall further and further behind…

Washington Snapshot: Treasury Releases Opportunity Zones Proposed Regulations, President Trump Announces New Plan for Tax Cuts

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Talk of New Tax Cuts Comes as a Surprise to Many Opportunity Zones Regulations Released by Treasury President Appoints New White House Counsel After McGahn Resigns State Ballots: More than Electing Leaders and Legislators News from the Hill Talk of New Tax…

National Standards Conference Call

The purpose of this monthly call is to offer community foundation staff a venue to voice questions or concerns related to the National Standards program. The input of community foundation staff is critical to the success of the program. Additionally, this call provides an opportunity for…

New York-Based Arts Program Studio in a School to Receive Chapman Prize

The Council on Foundations today announced that Studio in a School Association, a New York City-based program that serves young people by integrating visual arts into teaching and learning, will be awarded the Chapman Prize at its upcoming Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 28. As the…

Show Me the Money: Fundraising Tips for Community Foundations in the New Political Landscape

Members, Hear the Recording Today’s political climate poses unique challenges for community foundations, particularly as local communities and nonprofits deal changes in their communities caused by budget cuts across a variety of programs. But the challenges also pose huge opportunities to fine-…
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