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. 

Leading Together 2019 Conference - Preconference Programming

Preconference Programming We affered three (3) preconference and three (3) site sessions for attendees interested in diving deep into hot topics impacting philanthropy now and seeing and supporting local philanthropy in action in the field. Sessions took place on Monday, April 29, 2019, from…

Where Are the Children? Family Separation Becomes U.S. Immigration Enforcement Policy

View the Recording Since October 2017, the U.S. government has forcibly separated at least 2,400 children—including hundreds who are under four years old—from their parents as they arrive on our southern border seeking refuge. Attorneys and other humanitarian aid workers are reporting significant…

Meet the 2018 Interns

I have been eager to intern at the Council on Foundations since I received my acceptance letter. While coming into this experience, I did not know what exactly the Council was, I am excited to learn more about the sector and help achieve the organization’s goals. I am 1 of 7 interns here at CoF for…

Programming

Thursday, September 6 Opening Plenary - 9:15 am - 10:30 am Harnessing the Momentum, Finding Opportunities, Building Stronger Futures  We all wish we could predict the future. For many foundation leaders, this superpower would help them plan for and navigate global financial issues that force…

Community Philanthropy Update—June 2018

As we enter summer, it’s the time of year when many in the community foundation world may be experiencing what I used to call “the scholarship slump.” When I ran a community foundation, this is a term of endearment I used for when your team has survived the first round of scholarship activities—…

Washington Snapshot: Senate Committee Considers Tax Court Nominees, Highlights of Midterm Primary Results

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Senate Finance Committee Hearing Set to Consider Tax Court Nominees Sen. Johnson Calls on IRS to Eliminate Schedule B Start Now Helping Your Community Prepare for the 2018 Hurricane Season Primaries in CA, IA, and MT Highlight Busy Primary Day Across the…

Washington Snapshot: Charitable Giving Discussed in Senate Hearing, Attacks Against Nonprofit Nonpartisanship Continue

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Bill Targeting University Endowments and Contributions Introduced Charitable Giving Discussed at Senate Hearing Attacks Against Johnson Amendment Continue Ways and Means Announces Subcommittee Updates IRS Provides Guidance for Grantmakers and Donors…

Council on Foundations Announces Hiring of New Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Council on Foundations has named Ruth LaToison Ifill as its new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She will lead efforts to develop and implement strategic initiatives, tools, educational programs and opportunities that foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion among…

Inclusive Economic Prosperity in the Midwest Resources

Council on Foundations Resources Economic Development as a Charitable Activity - A chapter from Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources Slide Presentations and Resources from Community & Economic Development for Community Foundations…

Washington Snapshot: Bill to Expand Charitable Deduction Introduced in the House, Ways and Means Adds a New Member

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Bill to Increase Charitable Giving Introduced in House IRS Funding to be Considered by Senate Committee Ways and Means Holds Hearing on Tax Reform's Impact (So Far) Council Urges Treasury to Delay New UBIT Provisions In the States: States Respond to Federal…

Sponsors

The Council would like to thank all of the sponsors for their support of the 2018 Endowments & Finance Summit. Leadership & Networking Reception Partner TIAA Institute www.tiaa.org/public/land/endowmentsandfoundations The TIAA Institute helps advance the ways individuals…

Fiscal Sponsorship

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources Fiscal sponsorship provides a valuable tool for charitable entrepreneurs to realize their vision by working with an established charity that takes in tax-deductible donations and private foundation…

Inclusive Economic Prosperity Resources

Council on Foundations Resources Economic Development as a Charitable Activity - A chapter from Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources Slide Presentations and Resources from Community & Economic Development for Community Foundations Case Studies…

Community Foundation Update - May 2018

Over the last 18 months, I’ve continually talked with community foundation leaders about the role philanthropy is playing in driving inclusive economic development. Last year, in response to member inquiries to National Standards and the Council’s legal team, we hosted a workshop with Indiana…

Council on Foundations and Independent Sector Applaud Introduction of Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act

Independent Sector and the Council on Foundations applaud the introduction of the Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act, which would expand giving, help civil society flourish, and allow the charitable sector to expand its impact in communities across the country. The bill was introduced by Rep.…

Washington Snapshot: House Committee Sets Series of Tax Reform Hearings, White House Sends Rescissions Proposal to Congress

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… House Committee Sets Series of Tax Reform Hearings White House Sends Rescissions Proposal to Congress IRS Debuts New EO Search Tool Form 990s for Calendar-Year Organizations Due Soon In the States: Vermont Considers Repeal of Charitable Deduction; Municipal…
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