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. 

Washington Snapshot - February 28, 2014

Chairman Camp Releases Tax Reform Proposal Dozens of provisions impact tax-exempt organizations As we let our readers know in a Washington Snapshot Breaking News alert on Wednesday, House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI-4) released his long-awaited comprehensive tax reform bill this week.…

Council on Foundations, Sector Leaders Join Forces Philanthropy Week in Washington March 3-7, 2014

As President Obama presents his proposed budget and as Congress considers comprehensive tax reform, proposed policy changes could have a significant – and potentially harmful – impact on philanthropy’s effectiveness. That’s why the Council on Foundations is pleased to welcome nearly 150 leaders…

How Data Can Unearth Innovative Solutions to 'Wicked' Problems

The Community Foundations of Canada’s Vital Signs is an annual community check-up, conducted by community foundations across Canada – and now around the world – that uses data to measure the vitality of our communities. The effort started in the late 1990s at the Toronto Community Foundation (TCF…

Ways and Means Committee Chair Releases Tax Plan

This afternoon Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI-4), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, released a comprehensive plan to reform the individual and corporate tax codes. Find details of the proposed bill here: Executive Summary Summary of Bill Legislative Language Joint Committee on Taxation…

Using Data to Guide the Future

  This post is part of the #CF100 Series of blog posts. The Council on Foundations is marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, by highlighting the roles of community foundations with this series. The Lincoln Community Foundation…

Washington Snapshot - February 21, 2014

BREAKING: Senate Philanthropy Caucus Briefing During Philanthropy Week The Council on Foundations is pleased to report that Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Burr (R-NC) will be chairing the Senate Philanthropy Caucus for the 113th Congress. During Philanthropy Week in Washington, March 3rd…

Intelligence for Bold and Proactive Philanthropy

  This post is part of the #CF100 Series of blog posts. The Council on Foundations is marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, by highlighting the roles of community foundations with this series. It’s amazing what generous people…

Field Comment Period Extended for Proposed Revisions to National Standards

The Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) announces an extension to the public comment period for the Proposed Revised National Standards. These revisions are being made as part of a five-year review cycle and will remain open to public comment until February 26, 2014. The…

Going for goal: Shared knowledge inspires successful Giving Days

This blog was originally posted on "Knight Blog" the blog of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. It is republished here with permission. Last year, as Giving Days became increasingly popular, Knight Foundation looked for a way to help the community foundations organizing them make these…

Measuring a Community's Vital Signs

Lessons Learned Michael Batchelor is CEO of the Erie Community Foundation Erie Community Foundation President Mike Batchelor believes that community foundations are ideally positioned to quarterback efforts such as Vital Signs.  “Frankly, we have the money, we have the long-term…

Invitation to Participate in Survey of Professional Development Needs

Tell Us About Your Professional Development Needs The Council on Foundations is pleased to invite you to participate in a national study about professional development for nonprofit and philanthropic professionals and board members. The study is sponsored by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for…

2014 Annual Conference Call for Sessions

Call for Sessions Be a part of the 2014 Annual Conference: Philanthropy Exchange! The Council is issuing a Call for Sessions to leading civil and social innovators. We are looking to you for well-developed sessions that offer diverse perspectives, concrete solutions, and fresh insights…

Washington Snapshot - February 7, 2014

Just Announced - Washington Update Webinar on February 19 Get prepared for Philanthropy Week in Washington! As Philanthropy Week quickly approaches, we are excited to offer the second in a series of webinars geared at getting you up-to-speed on the latest happenings in Washington! Council staff and…

What’s Next for Community Knowledge

  This post is part of the #CF100 Series of blog posts. The Council on Foundations is marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, by highlighting the roles of community foundations with this series. Last fall I joined community…

WEBINAR: Get Prepared for Philanthropy Week in Washington

Get Prepared for Philanthropy Week in Washington Wednesday February 19th from 3-4pm EST As Philanthropy Week quickly approaches we are excited to offer a webinar geared at getting you up-to-speed on the latest happenings in Washington! Council staff and our consulting team will give an update on…

Registration is Now Open for the 2014 Annual Conference: Philanthropy Exchange

A brand new conference experience – Philanthropy Exchange – supercharges the Council on Foundations' Annual Conference with enhanced networking opportunities, an inclusive perspective on the shared values of the field, and a focus on the issues that matter to you. Join over a thousand of…
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