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. 

Testimony for Senate Committee on Finance on “Tax Tools for Local Economic Development”

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony for the record on the subject of “Tax Tools for Local Economic Development.” We commend the Committee for holding a hearing on this pivotal topic as communities around the country continue to recover from the pandemic, natural disasters,…

Meet the Council Expert! Q&A with Yoo-Jin Kang, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs

Yoo-Jin considers herself bi-coastal with roots in the Pacific Northwest and the D.C./DMV area. In addition to her work with the Council, she’s currently working towards a Master’s degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley. Her focus is on how racism impacts health, especially in the workplace. She…

Peer Benchmarking for Community Foundations: A Guided Tour of CF Insights

Since CF Insights went live at the Council one year ago, over 50% more community foundations have started using this peer benchmarking tool. Attendees watched a guided demonstration to learn how their community foundation could benefit from the only dataset of its kind.  During this…

Community Philanthropy Update - July 2024

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August Recess 2024 Packet

Community Foundation Resources Find resources for private foundations instead. This packet contains what you need to set up, prep for, and attend a meeting with your Member of Congress and/or their staff. We’ve included resources about key legislation, data about the sector, and template letters…

August Recess 2024 - Additional Resources

Foundations work on a variety of issues, only some covered by this packet. Below, find additional resources on policy issues the Council has been working on this Congress. You may find them helpful to prep your team, bring to a meeting, or share with an office after the fact.  Understanding…

Retreat for New Community Foundation Executive Leaders - October 2024

This retreat is an opportunity to step away from the challenges of your day-to-day and find renewed energy and motivation in fellowship with other new CEOs. This event is the Council's annual retreat for early-tenure community foundation chief executives. Hosted by Fred Blackwell and the San…

2024 UN General Assembly Philanthropic Side-Events

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For Community Foundation of the Ozarks, impact lies in collaboration

In the heart of West Plains, Missouri, marked by its segregation-era past, stands a forgotten schoolhouse, the Lincoln School, that was once reserved for Black children. Today a community-driven effort is breathing new life into its weathered walls. Meanwhile, the emergence of the Springfield Daily…

2024 Annual Member Meeting

Join us for the Council's Annual Member Meeting. The virtual Member Meeting will: Feature the State of the Council address from Kathleen Enright, President and CEO, Council on Foundations; Approve nominations for the Board of Directors. In advance, please also register to participate in the…

Community Philanthropy Update - June 2024

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Summary of 11th Circuit Ruling in American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund

Background  On August 2, 2023, American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) filed a complaint against Fearless Fund claiming their Fearless Striver Grant Contest grant program violates Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. According to the official rules listed on Fearless Fund’s website…

Council & CEONet | Community Foundation CEO Roundtable - July 2024

Strategies for Navigating the Fiscal Cliff's Effects on Individuals and Nonprofits During the pandemic, federal aid played a vital role in bolstering nonprofits, ensuring their survival, and providing essential support like food, childcare, and housing to those in need. However, federal…

Maintaining a Commitment to Equitable Giving Strategies Amid Legal Challenges

How can philanthropic organizations maintain a commitment to race-conscious and identity-based giving strategies in an evolving legal landscape?  Join us to explore the practical steps you can take to maintain your foundation’s commitment to race-conscious and identity-based programs. With…

Considerations for Working With 501(c)(3) NIL Collectives

Legal Compliance Guidance
More than 120 “NIL collectives” have been established in the U.S., many of them as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, to raise funds and enter into agreements that compensate student-athletes at specific higher-education institutions in exchange for using the student-athlete's name,…

Philanthropy's Response to 2024 US Storms

Overview Throughout the United States, severe weather events are expected throughout the year. However, unusually warm temperatures have caused increased storm systems, often resulting in catastrophic severe weather events. As various local, state, and regional community foundations and…
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