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. 

Scholarships Exchange: Book Club

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarships Exchange: Peer Event & Book Club

Topic: Supporting Students Beyond the AwardJoin this peer event to explore how scholarship programs can support beyond the financial award through mentorship, networking, and wrap around services that address real-life challenges. Together, we will share creative strategies for building meaningful…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - December 2026

Topic: Endowment Funds and Nonprofit Endowments Featured Speakers: Lisa Pitsiri, Director of Donor Services and Programs, and Sara Parcell, Director of Philanthropic Services, Communities Foundation of OklahomaJoin fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a virtual meet-up…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - October 2026

Topic: From Frustration to Function: Real-World CRM Solutions for Donor Services Featured Speaker: Jason Arbacheski, CAP, Senior Philanthropy Planning Officer, Chester County Community FoundationJoin fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a virtual meet-up focused on CRM…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - August 2026

Topic: Mapping the Journey - Creative Approaches to Donor Services Featured Speakers: Bea Thomas, Donor Services Officer and Becca Root, Senior Donor Services and Gift Planning Officer, Pittsburgh FoundationDonor stewardship isn’t just a checklist – it’s a journey. Join this peer discussion on…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - June 2026

Topic: Growing Unrestricted Assets, Practice-Based ConversationsGet ready to roll up your sleeves! In this interactive session on growing unrestricted assets, we will dive into hands-on, practice-based discussions and role-playing exercises. You’ll explore strategies for having donor conversations…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - April 2026

Topic: Speaking the Same Language: Partnering with Professional Advisors From referrals to relationships, working effectively with professional advisors such as CPAs and Attorneys can bolster donor services opportunities. This conversation will explore what successful advisor partnerships look…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - February 2026

Topic: Donor Engagement StrategiesHow do you make donors feel truly seen and valued without getting lost in the logistics of providing touchpoints at scale? Join your fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a peer discussion on donor engagement and stewardship, exploring how…

Reimagining Democracy in New Jersey

Learn how the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation partnered with the Participatory Budgeting Project to create the conditions that allow innovative democratic practices to emerge. The session will focus on how this catalytic investment gave grassroots practitioners the tools they need to connect with…

Harness Your Convening Power as a Funder to Reduce Polarization

Many foundations want to act as conveners to bridge divides but don’t know where to start. Participants in this session will learn how funders can spark bold partnerships, increase social cohesion and reduce polarization. Through case studies, participants will learn how to combine dialogue and…

Bridging with Unconventional Tools

In an era of polarization, declining civic trust, and complex social challenges, traditional grantmaking alone cannot create systemic change. This session explores how foundations are fostering social cohesion through innovative approaches like shifting narratives, building community power, and…

Asset-Based Rural Solutions

Learn how Rural Development Hubs bridge divides by pairing capital with trust, cultural grounding, and local leadership. This interactive session offers funders a framework to invest in ways that deepen belonging, shift narratives, and build civic and economic power in rural communities.What to…

The Importance of Being an In-Group Moderate

At a time when extreme voices dominate our echo chambers, “in-group moderates” are more important than ever. This session features faith and philanthropic leaders from across the political spectrum, talking about how they navigate toxic polarization as in-group moderates, including practical tools…

How Donors Can Support Community-Led Processes for Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice

Stories from around the world reveal how donors can effectively support community-healing processes anchored within the communities most impacted by high polarization. This session will use storytelling and interactive learning to provide practical strategies for how nonprofits and donors can…

Climate Action in a Polarized U.S.

Partisan gridlock has hampered U.S. climate progress, but funders have the power to change that. This session explores how philanthropy can unlock durable, bipartisan action by embracing ideological diversity and supporting authentic voices across the political spectrum. Attendees will leave with…

News That Builds: Philanthropy’s Urgent Opportunity

Like sidewalks and libraries, local news is an essential resource for strong communities. But as once-thriving local newsrooms have disappeared across America, this vital public resource is at risk. Participants will examine roles and identify integration strategies philanthropy can use to…
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