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. 

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services

As part of Member Week 2021, the Council welcomes all community foundation staff who are philanthropic advisors or involved in donor stewardship to join a peer-led discussion. This is a space to create new connections and discuss ways to support donors, explore gift options, and keep donors engaged…

Community Philanthropy Update - October 2021

You may have started your career in philanthropy knowing that community foundations not only impact the neighborhoods they serve, but also inspire a commitment to the greater good across counties, states, and the country — or you may have learned this along the way. Community Foundation Week,…

Public Policy Action Network

What is the Council’s Public Policy Action Network? The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive.…

Washington Snapshot: Talks Ongoing on Democrats' Legislative Priorities

What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week... News From the Council Talks Ongoing on Democrats' Legislative Priorities U.S. Department of Education Revamps Public Service Loan Forgiveness USDA's Equity Commission Nomination Happening in the States News from the Council Join the…

Career Pathways 2022 Program Information - Office Hours

  Join us for the 2022 Career Pathways Program Information Office Hours to answer any questions you have about the program, application, Waldman scholarship, etc.! The 2022 Career Pathways program is expanding! We will host a spring cohort from February to June 2022 and a fall…

New Member Orientation - Member Benefits & Networking

Is your organization a new Council member or are you new to the Council community? Please join us (virtually) to celebrate you, our newest members, during our 2021 Member Week. This interactive session will help you take advantage of exclusive Council member benefits, while also connecting with…

Aligning Endowments & Investments with Foundation Values

  As philanthropy continues to support nonprofits and invest in local communities, foundations across the country are looking beyond their grantmaking to better leverage their endowments and investments to further their mission. The recent 2020 Study of Investment of Endowments for…

2021 Membership Week

Celebrate, Convene, Connect In 2021, the Council hosted a series of virtual events that offered members the opportunity to hear directly from Council leaders and peers on some of philanthropy’s most important challenges and opportunities. These free events provided connection, insight, and…

Ask Me About the Council's Strategy with Kathleen Enright and Council Leaders

Ask Kathleen & Council Leaders about our 2021 - 2025 Strategic Direction and beyond! Send in your questions about the future of the Council, maybe you are curious about the Council's three strategic areas of focus: Embrace Better Ways of Operating Within Organizations Build Common…

2021 Member Week - Ask Me Anything FAQs

What is the Philanthropy Exchange? The Philanthropy Exchange is a peer-to-peer platform that connects Council members around shared interests, topics, or resources. The Exchange is a member-only benefit open to Council members and invited guests. To help you get started on the Exchange, here is a…

Legal Office Hours for Community Foundations: December 2021

As part of our Member Week programming, Council attorney Ben McDearmon will host Legal Office Hours for Community Foundations. This members-only Q&A discussion will address your legal questions, trends in community philanthropy, and latest concerns around foundation best practices.   

PhilEx Live: Return to Office Vaccine Policies

Developed out of a trending conversation on the Philanthropy Exchange (PhilEx), the Council invites you to join a member-only peer-led discussion of how foundations are approaching COVID-19 vaccine policies in their return-to-office planning. Join peers from across the country in a discussion…

Washington Snapshot: Senate Approves Short-Term Debt Ceiling Fix

What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week... News From the Council Senate Approves Short-Term Debt Ceiling Fix Welcoming Afghanistan Nationals: Resettlement Needs USDA Announces Intent to Establish an Equity Commission, Solicits Nominations for Membership White House Announces 2022…

SDG Learning Community for Community Foundations - Learning from Vital Signs

Join us for the November meeting of our new Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically for community foundations who are working on advancing the Sustainble Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work. Meeting Topic: Learning from Vital Signs…

SDG Learning Community for Community Foundations - What the UN Wants Community Foundations to Know About the SDGs

Join us for the October meeting of our new Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically for community foundations who are working on advancing the Sustainble Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work. Meeting Topic: What the UN Wants…

National Standards Monthly Zoom Session

CFNSB is relaunching its monthly conference call to offer community foundation staff a venue to voice questions or concerns related to the National Standards program. The input of community foundation staff is critical to the success of the program. Additionally, this call provides an opportunity…
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