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. 

#CF100 - A Century of Making a Difference

Roles of Community Foundations Sharing Community Information (February) Aligning Social Action (March) Engaging the Community (April) Deploying Financial Capital (May) Financial & Donor Services (June) Expanding Financial Capital (July) Community Planning (August) Building Community…

Seventeen Foundations to Invest in Renewables, Divest from Fossil Fuels

This blog was originally posted on Philanthropy Northwest's website. Seventeen foundations, including Philanthropy Northwest member The Russell Family Foundation, have united around a mission investing agenda to deepen their investments in clean energy by divesting from fossil fuels. Through the…

Washington Snapshot - January 31, 2014

Register now for Philanthropy Week in Washington! "Philanthropy Week in Washington” is quickly approaching. Hosted by the Council on Foundations from March 3-7 is the new initiative for a week of activities – some very familiar and others new. The week will begin and end with communications…

This Week at the Council - January 31, 2014

State of the Union Edition This Week at the Council, all eyes were on President Obama's fifth State of the Union Address, though a few of us were distracted by our ever-charming Vice President. In his speech, the President declared a "Year of Action" for himself, Congress, and private…

Washington Snapshot - January 17, 2014

Philanthropy Week in Washington, March 3-7 Just Announced! The Council is pleased to announce the first of two free webinars we will offer in preparation for the upcoming “Philanthropy Week in Washington” and “Foundations on the Hill.” “Creating Effective Stories that Lawmakers Will Remember,”…

10 Things Every New Foundation Board Member Should Know

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The Council on Foundations, in collaboration with BoardSource, created this easy-to-use guide for new foundation board members. 

National Standards Proposed Revisions Open to Comment from the Field

The Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) today announces the field comment period for the December 2013 Proposed Revised National Standards. These revisions are being made as part of a five-year review cycle, and will be open to comment from January 15 to February 15, 2014. The…

Letter to Chairman Baucus, Senate Finance Committee

Senator Baucus released tax reform discussion drafts in 2013, including the tax administration draft, which proposes requiring all tax-exempt organizations to electronically file their Form 990s. As part of the discussion draft process, stakeholders are invited to submit comments. The Council…

Washington Snapshot - January 10, 2014

  Welcome back from the holidays and cheers to the start of a new year! Philanthropy Week in Washington If you’re looking to participate in an important event and amplify the voice of philanthropy, then you won’t want to miss “Philanthropy Week in Washington 2014”! Make your plans to come to…

Join us for Philanthropy Week 2014

The Council on Foundations is pleased to announce… Websites are live, registration is now open, and the hotel block is available for Philanthropy Week in Washington 2014! Now, more than ever, we must protect and enhance philanthropy in America. Philanthropy has been a pillar of our society from…

Philanthropy Week in Washington 2014

Philanthropy Week Details March 3-7, 2014 An initiative of the Council on Foundations Philanthropy Week in Washington is a week of activities – some familiar and others new – themed around engaging policy makers in our Nation's Capitol. This series of in person and media events…

Giving Days

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2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then over 700 community foundations have been created in the United States and countless more globally. The Council recognizes the critical and unique role of…

Washington Snapshot - December 20, 2013

Happy holidays! The Council’s Public Policy team wishes you and your loved ones a joyous and festive winter break! Council letter featured in The New York Times As we reported last week, Council president & CEO Vikki Spruill authored a letter to the New York Times editors responding to Ray…

Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking Recipients

The Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking was established in 1985 to recognize a grantmaker who has demonstrated outstanding creativity. It honored grantmakers who, with a combination of vision, principle and personal commitment, made a critical difference in a creative way. The award was created…

Typhoon Haiyan Webinar with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Typhoon Haiyan was one of the worst disasters to hit the Philippines in decades. This webinar was conducted one month after the Super Typhoon made landfall, killing more than 5,000 and causing billions in damages. Representatives from the Philippines Embassy in Washington, DC, Accenture, and the…

Bringing Personal Accountability on Board

Increasing personal accountability is probably the most effective way to enhance the performance of board members. Here are a few suggestions. by James E. Klusman "Life's a lot more fun when you're not responsible for your actions." So says Calvin, in the cartoon "Calvin and Hobbes," as he…
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