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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.
When Corporations Come Knocking – Working with Corporate Donors and Employer-Related Funds
Members, Access the Recording
The Council’s Senior Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, Suzanne Friday, and Director of Community Philanthropy, Brad Ward, explored funds that come from corporate donors.
Tackle issues with employer-related scholarships, disaster funds, employee hardship…
Community Philanthropy Update — March 2017
In my humble opinion, this month ushers in some of the greatest occasions: March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, and the first day of spring. What more could you ask for?
How about renewing your membership with the Council before the April 30 deadline?
To take advantage of all the Council has to offer…
Council Contributions to Recent Legal Cases
As part of its advocacy work, the Council may weigh in on, or participate in, important legal cases when significant issues arise that will impact our members and the field. The Council’s participation is often as Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) whereby the Council, although not a party to the…
2017 Annual Conference - Networking Events
Networking Events
#COFAnnual is the place to connect with leaders in philanthropy, government, and other sectors — and to create future opportunities for collaboration. While every minute at #COFAnnual is an opportunity to network, these events are tailored for you to socialize…
What Happens When the U.S. Sanctions U.S. Charities?
Do you know what happens when the U.S. sanctions U.S. charities? If you answered no, you wouldn’t be alone. It can lead to funds being frozen indefinitely, despite tax rules requiring that they be distributed for charitable purposes when a charity shuts down.
Cherie L. Evans of Evans & Rosen…
Washington Snapshot - March 9, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Council and other foundation leaders meet with Members of Congress
Tax Reform Update: Bill to repeal ACA is introduced, tax reform to follow
The Council files amicus briefs in recent legal cases
In the States: California Speaker establishes select committee on…
Keynote Address on Partnerships and the SDGs at Global Partnerships Week 2017
Good afternoon. Thank you, Tomas, for that warm welcome and introduction. I am honored to join all of you today to continue the discussion on how partnerships can help achieve the universal Sustainable Development Goals, and share what I’ve learned about how philanthropy is engaging in this shared…
Celebrating International Women's Day
Today is International Women’s Day (IWD). Celebrated on March 8 of every year, IWD celebrates women around the world and their achievements. IWD has been observed since the early 1900s and the International Women’s Day website documents the evolution of this global celebration. At a time when there…
2017 Pennsylvania Foundations Public Policy Conference: Amplifying the Voice of the Sector
Each year, Pennsylvania’s philanthropic sector invests more than $2.6 billion in grant making in the Commonwealth. Uncertainty about national and State public policies and budget realities will make philanthropy’s investments critically important, especially on behalf of vulnerable populations in…
Collaborate & Innovate: Equalizing the Playing Field of Black Business Ownership in the U.S.
Collaborate & Innovate: Equalizing the Playing Field of Black Business Ownership in the U.S.
This event is a preconference session at the 2017 Annual Conference. It is the first in a series of three sessions focused on entrepreneurship within the Black community.
With America growing…
A Voice for Philanthropy: What the Council Means to Me
In April, my tenure as chair of the Council on Foundations’ Board of Directors will end, and I will near completion of my board service, a term bounded by two historic presidential elections and begun when our country experienced an economic collapse rivaled only by the 1929 market crash and the…
Washington Snapshot - March 2, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: President Trump addresses Congress, Secretary Mnuchin speaks on tax reform, Chairman Brady vows to repeal the Johnson Amendment, and the Council and colleagues speak out in defense of nonpartisanship
Legislation to invest in “opportunity zones…
Here’s the IRS’s Dirty Dozen List of Tax Scams
It’s officially tax season when the IRS releases its Dirty Dozen List of Tax Scams. We know Council members work hard to be on the right side of the law, but the below info from the IRS can be useful to review with board and staff. Don’t forget, if you ever have a question, the Council’s legal team…
2017 Annual Convening of the Veterans Philanthropy Exchange
Launched in 2014, The Veterans Philanthropy Exchange is a learning and sharing forum for philanthropic grantmakers, donors, and corporate giving programs supporting veterans and military family strategies.
Join your peers for discussions about funder collaboration and collective action, a review…
Community Foundation Business Model Disruption in the 21st Century - Memphis, TN
The Council on Foundations will be joining the AdNet Conference, an affinity group of community foundation advancement officers and development professionals, at their national convening Mar 20-22, 2017 in Memphis, TN.
Community Foundation Business Model Disruption in the 21st Century Lunch…
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