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. 

SPLC and CAIR Report: Hate Free Philanthropy - Identifying Opportunities and Obstacles to Safeguard the Sector

This white paper aims to help decision-makers accelerate existing efforts to address the complex problem of hate-funding in philanthropy — efforts that are slowly converging in different parts of the country and that demonstrate varying degrees of progress. This effort is, admittedly, the first…

SPLC 2020 Year in Hate and Extremism Report

The Southern Poverty Law Center released its annual Year in Hate and Extremism report, identifying 838 active hate groups across the United States in 2020. 

PEAK Grantmaking: Resources for How to Tie Values to Funding Practices

PEAK Grantmaking calls on funders to thoughtfully examine how their values are reflected in their practices and ensure consistency between what they say and what they do.

Amalgamated Foundation 'Hate is Not Charitable' Campaign: Sign-On Campaign for Foundations and Organizations to Pledge to End Hate Funding

As leaders of philanthropic institutions, donor advised fund providers, and individual philanthropists, we are joining together to take a stand against the twisted use of charitable funds to support organizations that foment hatred. We are deeply concerned that donors, acting anonymously, through…

Innovia Foundation Anti-Hate Funding Policy alongside Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies

Innovia Foundation has made an intentional commitment to advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in everything they do. In 2019, the Foundation designed its Strategic Framework with these three values in mind: Innovative | Inclusive | Collaborative. 

Seattle Foundation Sample Blog Post Announcing a Process to Develop Policy around Anti-Hate and Anti-Harms

This update seeks to provide the latest information about Seattle Foundation's ongoing work to review its current grantmaking policies, and consider ways the Foundation can ensure these policies align with its collective commitment to address the widening disparities in our region.

Amalgamated Foundation Comprehensive Policy that Applies to all Grants, both Discretionary and Donor-Advised

Special Note regarding the Foundation’s prohibition on “hateful activities.”  As discussed throughout this Guide, decisions regarding grant distributions made from a donor-advised fund, and the investment of assets, are made at the sole discretion of Amalgamated Foundation in furtherance of…

Borrego Valley Endowment Fund Sample Policy with "Do No Harm" Approach

By expanding its purview beyond an exclusive focus on healthcare in Borrego Springs, the BVEF Board has made a strategic decision to expand the focus of the Fund and will partner with other nonprofit organizations to create maximum beneficial impact that is community-wide, self-sustaining, and…

Brooklyn Community Foundation DAF Anti-Hate Policy

Brooklyn Community Foundation includes an anti-hate policy for donors when establishing a donor advised fund.

East Bay Community Foundation Due Diligence Policy FAQ

As part of its continuous improvement process, EBCF periodically reviews and updates its policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance as well as adherence to industry best practices. EBCF shares these updates with fund holders, grantees, and the wider community as part of our commitment to…

East Bay Community Foundation Due Diligence Policy for Grantmaking

The East Bay Community Foundation Due Diligence Policy for Grantmaking ensures that grants are made in compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of our philanthropic goals of eliminating structural barriers, advancing racial equity, and transforming political, social, and…

Resources on the Rise of Hate Funding — Values-Aligned Philanthropy

External Resource
Atlanta Daily World: Major charity distances itself from donations to controversial groups Fidelity and Schwab Ban Gifts From Donor-Advised Funds to NRA-Affiliated Charities ‘Hate Groups’ Received Millions From 351 Charities and Foundations, Chronicle Review Finds Opinion: How Philanthropy Can…

Resources on Neutrality Paradox, Free Speech, and Related Issues — Values-Aligned Philanthropy

External Resource
501(c)(3)s and Public Policy Violation: A Fresh Look at Doctrine Alliance Magazine: Should corporate philanthropy be neutral? GlobalGiving: A Journey Into The Neutrality Paradox GlobalGiving: Trump Is Right—And Wrong—About Section 230 Horizon Forum: What Do the Experts Say: The Free…

‘You Get Proud by Practicing’: The Path to Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy

Workplaces across the globe are in flux—and many are changing for the better. With more remote offerings, flexibility, and accommodations, we face a generational opportunity to codify accessibility and inclusion in institutions that have been exclusive for far too long. Despite these changes, our…

Further Reading — Values-Aligned Philanthropy

External Resource
U.S. Academic Centers for the Study of Hate and Extremism Bard College Center for the Study of Hate California State University, San Bernardino, Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism Gonzaga University Institute for Hate Studies The International Network for Hate Studies

Career Pathways 2022 Program Information Session

  The Career Pathways program is a highly selective pipeline expansion opportunity open to individuals from diverse backgrounds who are currently employed in philanthropic institutions. This leadership preparation course is designed for mid-career professionals and was developed in…
Subscribe to Community Foundations