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. 

More Than 80 Philanthropic Leaders Commit to Working Across Borders to Achieve the SDGS in North America

Coming out of a historic meeting that brought together philanthropic leaders from Canada, Mexico and the United States, more than 80 philanthropic leaders have joined in solidarity and pledged to work to reduce poverty and increase opportunity for all across North America. This commitment marks the…

North American Philanthropy: United to Leave No One Behind

More than 200 leaders from across North America gathered in Mexico City for the inaugural North American Community Foundations Summit on February 5-6, 2018. Out of this historic gathering, the Council on Foundations and event co-hosts Community Foundations of Canada and Comunalia from Mexico…

Inclusive Economic Prosperity in the Midwest

What is Philanthropy's Role in Economic Development? To understand the role that philanthropy can play in inclusive economic prosperity, it helps to examine the landscape that contributes to a healthy economic ecosystem that is both equitable and innovative. The Council on Foundations and our…

Veterans Philanthropy Exchange Policy Meeting at the Public Policy Summit

The Council on Foundations’ inaugural Public Policy Summit included specific programing to determine a policy agenda for the Veterans Philanthropy Exchange in Philadelphia, on April 12, 2018. This meeting of Veterans funders took a deep dive to explore public policy issues foundations…

2018 HR Summit - Registration

Registration Online Registration Register Now If you don't want to register online, you can complete the paper registration form and send it to registration@cof.org. Registration Rates Member Rate before April 30, 2018 = $499 Member Rate after April 30, 2018 = $549…

Community Philanthropy Update—February 2018

I am deeply impressed by the relationships built in our field, sometimes from just one simple interaction at a Council event. While serving as the CEO of an Indiana community foundation, I traveled out-of-state to a Council event in 2014 to be introduced to a colleague who, to this day, remains an…

Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leaders Call on Congress to Leave the Johnson Amendment Alone

Nonprofit and philanthropic leaders renewed their call for preserving the Johnson Amendment, the longstanding law that protects their organizations from the divisiveness of partisan politics. The call comes as House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) used the National Prayer Breakfast to express…

Washington Snapshot: Congress Nears Long-Term Government Funding Deal, Immigration Still Unresolved

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot: Hill Leaders Reach Agreement on Long-Term Budget Deal, Immigration Issue Remains Unsolved Pay-for-Success Measure Passes with CR in the House Senate Committee to Hold Hearings on Tax Reform Implementation Treasury, IRS Release Updated Priority Guidance for…

Report: Sustainable Development Goals Cannot Be Reached Without Involvement of Community Foundations Globally

The Council on Foundations today released a report about the impact community foundations can make in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report, in part a landscape analysis of how community foundations already impact their local communities, also encourages…

2018 HR Summit - Travel and Hotel Information

Travel Information Summit Location Daniels Fund  101 Monroe Street Denver, Colorado 80206 Hotel Information Halcyon Hotel, Cherry Creek 245 Columbine St. Denver, Colorado 80206 You can make reservations online or by calling 1-844-442-5296 and mention Council on…

Inclusive Economic Prosperity

How can philanthropy help build more inclusive economies? Despite the recent economic growth in the United States, many Americans have been left behind in a increasingly global economy. Their region may have few job opportunities, high poverty rates, a lack of economic investment, or an unequal…

Washington Snapshot: President Trump Delivers First SOTU, House Committee Examines IRS Reform

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot: President Delivers First SOTU, Congress Reacts Mnuchin Urges Action on Debt Limit as Congress Seeks to Prevent Another Shutdown Next Week Tax-Writers in House Continue Work Post-Tax Reform HUD and COF Launch Exchange Highlighting Public-Philanthropic…

Council on Foundations Releases Comprehensive Report on Sector Salaries, Demographics

Respondents to an annual survey on foundation salaries and demographics indicated that one in three foundation staff was between the ages of 50-64 last year, and one in four came from a racial or ethnic minority background. The analysis, part of data collected annually in the Council on Foundations…

Local Leadership, Global Impact: Community Foundations and the Sustainable Development Goals

Publication
Launched at the first North American Community Foundation Summit in Mexico City on February 5, 2018, Local Leadership, Global Impact: Community Foundations and the Sustainable Development Goals highlights the growing presence and impact of community foundations around the world and teaches…

Religious Diversity in America Today - Experts Gather to Discuss Current American Moment and Role of Philanthropic Response

The Council on Foundations, Interfaith Youth Core and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation convened a national discussion aimed at sparking solutions for the fractured state of religious diversity in America today in Washington D.C. The invitation-only symposium at the Religious Freedom Center of the…

Schedule

Wednesday, September 12 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre Excursion (Optional) Join us for an optional excursion to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and explore the beautiful scenery and bracing activity that Denver has to offer. Enjoy a light hike, or take in the…
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