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FEATURED EVENT
Practice and Purpose of Policy
A Training for Community Foundation Leaders
July 30 and August 6, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Virtual
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.
Grantmakers and Governments: The Possibilities of Partnership
While both governments and philanthropic organizations in Canada are committed to community investment, the two sectors do not often partner on projects. This paper is intended to help philanthropic funders understand more about the context for working with government in Canada, as well as the…
Washington Snapshot: Brady Releases Year-End Tax Package, Congress Faces Dec. 7 Deadline to Fund Government
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Senators Ask Treasury for UBIT Delay
Chairman Brady Releases Lame Duck Tax Package
Congress Faces Dec. 7 Deadline to Pass Spending Legislation
Sen. Grassley Chooses Finance Gavel
Cindy Hyde-Smith Wins Election in Mississippi
State Spending Trends Analyzed…
Global Philanthropy Report
This report prepared by the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government examines the vitality and impact of global institutional philanthropy.
Philanthropy in Brazil
A working paper from Alliance magazine, WINGS, and Philanthropy Network for Social Justice analyzing terms and trends of philanthropy and social investment in Brazil. This report examines the political atmosphere for philanthropy, as well as current challenges for the sector.
Getting Started with Grantmaking in Brazil
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in Brazil, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
Local community foundations
You…
Webinar Recording: Spurring Opportunity: Entrepreneurship and Community Foundations
Community Foundations are part of the fabric for creating vibrant communities across the United States. They cultivate relationships by connecting people to what matters locally. Given that past work, never has there been a better time for community foundations to play a lead role as a…
National Standards Conference Call
The purpose of this monthly call is 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 for National…
National Standards Conference Call
The purpose of this monthly call is 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 for National…
National Standards Conference Call
The purpose of this monthly call is 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 for National…
National Standards Conference Call
The purpose of this monthly call is 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 for National…
Don't Be Caught Off-Guard This Tax Season: A Guide for Navigating the New UBIT Rules
Recording
Does your organization provide parking/transportation benefits to employees or do you already file the Form 990-T? If you answered yes to either of those questions, your organization will owe taxes for 2018 and the filing process is going to be different than it was last year. The Council’s…
Global Philanthropy Update - November 2018
Although votes in some races are still being counted, we know the results of the US midterm election will lead to changes in Washington in the new year that may impact global grantmakers. From changing Congressional committee leaders to upcoming reviews of US foreign assistance and the 2020 budget…
Immediate and Emerging Needs Arising from the California Fires
Philanthropy California is offering funders an up-to-the-minute briefing on the fires, local and state agency responses, and how to aid local efforts and avoid fraud.
As impacted communities in Northern and Southern California continue to grapple with the devastation resulting from the Camp,…
A Primer for Funders on CDFI’s: Co-Investing in Opportunity Zones and Inclusive Community Development
Members, View the Recording
With the passage of last year’s tax code overhaul, Congress created Opportunity Zones—areas in low-income census tracks designated by governors, where private equity investors can invest capital gains in new development ventures in exchange for tax forgiveness after 10…
Washington Snapshot: Republicans Vote on Leadership for the 116th Congress, Council Submits UBIT Siloing Comments to Treasury
Please be advised: Washington Snapshot will be taking a break next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish all of our readers a safe and happy Thanksgiving and will return with Snapshot on Nov. 29!
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
House Leadership Elections Taking Place Over Next Few…
Community Foundation Update - November 2018
Yesterday, my day began with a news alert of another mass shooting outside Los Angeles. My mind quickly turned to the Ventura County Community Foundation, about to be inundated with requests to provide support to their community after the 307th mass shooting in 311 days. Later in the day, I also…
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