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. 

Washington Snapshot - March 23, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Philanthropic and charitable leaders join the Philanthropy Caucus for a reception Tax Reform Update: House expected to vote on repealing the ACA today, tax reform hangs in the balance Gift substantiation bill reintroduced in the Senate Council, National…

From Jamaica to Virginia: Initial Thoughts About My Atlas Corps Journey

Excited, relieved, eager, anxious—those were some of the feelings I experienced when I found out I was selected as an Atlas Corps Fellow to serve at the Council on Foundations. I was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Jamaica when I received the confirmation email…

Global Philanthropy Update — March 2017

How did you celebrate International Women’s Day this year? Council staff wore red in solidarity with the “A Day Without a Woman” campaign. Are you worried about how proposed cuts to USG development funding might impact your international grantmaking? I recently spoke to the Chronicle about what we'…

Washington Snapshot - March 16, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Meet our team! Tax Reform Update: ACA repeal faces obstacle following the release of a CBO report East coast snow storm prompts a bipartisan road trip from Texas to D.C. The President’s budget is released President Trump issues new executive order In the…

Philanthropy as Catalysts for Collaboration

This post also appeared on SDG Philanthropy Platform's blog on March 14, 2017. What do Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the U.S. have in common, when it comes to helping implement the Sustainable Development Goals? In all four countries, philanthropy associations are working with local networks of…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Webinar Recording: Council Member Update - Spring 2017

 
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