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. 

Place-Based Foundations That are Stretching into New Arenas to Support Community Partners

The Minneapolis Foundation, Midwest Environmental Justice Network, NDN Collective, and RE-AMP Network lead one of the U.S. EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking programs. Over three years, they will distribute $40 million in grants to build the capacity of Tribes and…

Raising the Rural Voice in Foundation Giving

Rural America is diverse, and understanding the needs and assets of communities at a granular level is important. Bring your lived and learned experience, share your personal passion for rural funding, and discuss with other funders how philanthropy can better support rural communities. This…

Reduce Burnout and Be More Relevant by Being a Learning Organization

The speed and complexity of change are increasing exponentially. While top-down leadership may have been effective in the past, today we need to co-create our future by unlocking the collective power of our teams and communities. In this interactive workshop, foundation executives will unpack the…

Reimagining Workforce Development

Workforce development isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Community foundations are in a unique position to strengthen an ever-evolving diverse workforce and to promote economic growth through proactive, transformative grants and comprehensive programs that tangibly connect to the needs of local…

Resourcing Our Organizations During Complex Times

Community foundations are increasingly serving as local leaders working toward systems change--vital work that requires a strong business model to sustain it. How have community foundations successfully resourced these efforts, and what challenges have they navigated to make it possible to do so?…

Responsible AI in Philanthropy

This session focuses on how foundations can responsibly adopt AI while upholding ethical standards like equity, transparency, and explainability. Designed for foundation leaders, CIOs, program officers, and strategy directors, this dynamic session will provide practical guidance on navigating AI -…

Cultivating Community Engagement to Ignite Generosity

This session is for place-based funders seeking innovative ways to deepen engagement and ignite generosity in their communities. Foundation leaders will discuss the tangible benefits and outcomes of Community Heart & Soul, a proven, resident-driven engagement process. Panelists will highlight…

Revolutionizing Proposal Data Sharing for Funders and Changemakers

This session will introduce “Exchange” powered by the Philanthropy Data Commons (PDC), a novel application that connects proposal data submitted to individual funders and stored in siloed grant management systems and allows grantees to reuse and update their proposal data. Designed for foundation…

Small Funder Collaboration on Mission Aligned Investing

Are you a smaller funder looking to navigate the complexities of impact investing? The path can feel daunting, especially when most resources are tailored to larger foundations. Join this session to discover how smaller foundations can harness the power of collaboration, gain board support, invest…

Creating Pathways to Homeownership

Learn how a funder, a housing agency and local community builders co-created a housing solution that tangibly impacts people’s lives in rural communities. Pathways To Homeownership helps low- to middle-income residents purchase a home, and invests in small-scale housing developers to create…

Community Foundations, Nonprofit Service Providers, and Local Government Working Collaboratively

This session will highlight different communities where local foundations have effectively partnered with their municipal leaders in a specific area, leading to demonstrative outcomes. Community foundations and foundations with a civic focus will leave with learnings and a leadership model that…

Resilience and Trauma-Informed Leadership

Do you wonder how to stay engaged and keep moving forward while navigating the current moment? Do you worry about caring for yourself and your team while also getting the work done and rising to this moment? You aren’t alone! Let’s explore research-based practices and methods we can implement to…

Community Foundation Climate Collaborative

This session will provide attendees a basic understanding of how community foundations can lead locally on climate. Community Foundation Climate Collaborative members will share opportunities for joint action and shared learning such as incorporating climate justice into local work, donor…

CEONet Annual Retreat: "Building Bridges"

Hosted by CEONet The CEONet Annual Retreat offers a unique experience to connect with peers. Day one will be a site tour led by our local community foundation hosts, R.T. Rybak and Dr. Eric Jolly. The Twin Cities provide an interesting backdrop for the ongoing work to heal, restore, and reimagine…

Supporting Local Community Development Through Affordable Energy

This session will discuss the role philanthropies can take in funding local solar energy projects and the benefits these projects can bring to communities. Hear from philanthropies, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and a developer--highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration…

Caring for Ourselves and Others in Complex Times

Place-based funders remain committed to serving their communities, including through periods of political and cultural turmoil. For staff to perform at their best, they must also care for themselves. How can executive leaders make sure that happens while practicing their own self-care and…
Subscribe to Community Foundations