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. 

Reception with the Philanthropy Caucus

This reception brought together philanthropic leaders from across the country, philanthropic and nonprofit leaders, Members of Congress, and Congressional staff to celebrate the role of philanthropy as a unique stakeholder in collective efforts to address some of today's toughest challenges.

Congressional Briefing: Transitioning Vets - Philanthropy's Role in Veterans' Health and Mental Health

Part of the Council on Foundations Veterans Philanthropy Series Leaders from the charitable sector discussed the lessons philanthropy has learned while working to improve veterans' health and mental health.

Congressional Briefing: Impact of Tax Reform on Charitable Giving

Leaders from the charitable sector discussed how changes to the tax code could impact charitable giving and the nonprofit sector. The briefing explored new research conducted by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University on the unintended effects of such changes on the scope and…

Change from the Bottom Up

Members, View the Recording This is a challenge that resonates with many communities across the country: Lancaster County, PA was suffering from many of the same problems that smaller communities throughout the U.S. have encountered throughout the past few decades -- stagnating job growth and…

Congressional Briefing: Voter Perceptions of the Charitable Sector

The Independent Sector, the Council on Foundations, and the Alliance for Charitable Reform/Philanthropy Roundtable, in cooperation with the House Philanthropy Caucus, came together for a briefing on voter perceptions of the charitable sector from 8:00-9:30 am on Thursday, September 22, 2016 in Room…

Growing a Community of Philanthropy

The word ”philanthropy” means the love of humanity. It manifests itself as generosity by individuals and organizations for the public good. We’ve seen extraordinary transformations in the Paso de Norte region brought about by the generous spirit of philanthropists – large and small – whose love for…

You Can Take it to the Bank: Community Foundations & Legal Control Over Agency Funds

Members, View the Recording Community foundations offer a wide range of benefits to their communities. A popular and growing service is the holding, investing and disbursing of endowment and special project funds for other charities. With the experience, skill and sophistication in managing their…

Washington Snapshot: Senate Finance Committee to Question Nominee for IRS Commissioner, House Democrats See Major Upset in Key Primary Race

Please note, we will not be sending Washington Snapshot next week due to the 4th of July holiday. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and fun day off! In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Justice Kennedy Announces Retirement Rettig Hearing House Leaders Willing to Discuss UBIT Issues for Tax Reform 2…

The Top 5 Reasons Your Community Foundation Should Be Accredited

In today’s environment, philanthropic organizations face scrutiny unlike ever before, from increased regulations at the state and federal level to media scrutiny from local and national outlets.. The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Accreditation Program represents a community…

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…

Our Nation's Giving Trends: What Does the Giving USA Report Mean for Foundations?

Members, View the Recording Charitable giving surged to $410 billion in 2017, the highest ever, according to Giving USA 2018: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2017. Foundation grants for the year grew to $67 billion. But can the growth sustain itself and how will future giving be…

Philanthropy's Role in Strengthening Democracy

View the Recording Join foundations and philanthropy serving organizations from across the country for a webinar on July 11th at 2pm EST. “Philanthropy's Role in Strengthening Democracy” is co-sponsored by Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and Nonprofit VOTE. The webinar…

Washington Snapshot: New Study Estimates Charitable Giving Faces $17 Billion Decline in 2018, House Considering New Round of Tax Cuts

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… New Study Estimates $17 Billion Drop in Charitable Giving for 2018 Tax Cuts 2.0? New UBIT Rules for Nonprofits Might be Delayed Wyden Calls for Investigation in Misuse of Charitable Organizations 2020 Census Public Comment Opportunity Marc Short Leaving…

Leading Together 2019 Conference - Networking Events

Networking Events #Leadingtogether2019 is the place to connect with leaders in philanthropy, government, and other sectors — and to create future opportunities for collaboration. While every minute at at the conference is an opportunity to network, these events are tailored for you to…
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