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. 

A New Way to Engage for Community Foundations

Access the Recording Hear first-hand accounts of the Heart & Soul Community Development Model from foundation leaders experiencing profound new donor relationships, community partnerships, and long-term transformation in their work. Increasingly, philanthropic organizations are thinking more…

Washington Snapshot: Senate Votes to Pass Budget, Brings Tax Reform a Step Closer

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot Tax Reform Update: Senate to vote on legislation that would lay the path for tax reform Repealing the Johnson Amendment Remains a Target A reflection on executive and regulatory activity in the Trump Administration In the States: Elected official fundraising…

Community Foundation Update - October 2017

From Charlottesville to Las Vegas, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and now the California fires, it has been a devastating couple of months. The Council will continue to activate our support networks and national reach to provide greater scope in backing the community foundations in affected areas.…

Northern California Fires: Join Local Foundation Leaders and Experts for a First Hand Report

Join a webinar with leaders of the community foundations and disaster response experts to hear how they're doing, what they know so far, and what kind of support is most helpful at this stage of the emergency. Speakers Andrea Zussman (Moderator) Manager, Regional Vibrancy and Sustainability, …

From Athletes to Role Models and Philanthropists

As the NFL season has officially kicked off, I am reminded of the positive ways that so many athletes are effecting change off the field. Indeed, the area of sports philanthropy is becoming increasingly common. At the Council on Foundations’ recent Leading Together conference, the growing trend…

Belonging: My Biggest Takeaway from Career Pathways

Editorial Note: David Daniels is one of 24 members of the 2017 cohort of Career Pathways. He and other Pathways participants have been sharing their experiences on the Council on Foundations blog. Applications for the Career Pathways program are currently being accepted until October 20. For five…

Digital Divide: Public-Private Partnership for Funders

There is no way to achieve the American dream without being connected to the Internet. In August, 30 communities were selected to participate in ConnectHomeUSA, an important program working in partnership with your city’s leadership and housing authority to help some of your community’s most…

Statement On Introduction of the Universal Charitable Giving Act of 2017

On October 11, 2017, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill: “Earlier this morning, the Council met with congressional staff to discuss the introduction of the Universal Charitable Giving Act of 2017(HR 3988). This proposal places the…

Veterans Philanthropy Exchange's Mid-Year Convening: An Inside Look at the Reality of Veterans Employment and Career Development

Expert thought leaders and practitioners in veterans employment and mainstream workforce development helped inform discussions to help attendees develop a deeper understanding of the status and quality of veterans’ employment. At this event, peer sharing focused on what has worked and what didn't…

Noah Atencio of Community First Foundation Awarded 2017 Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking

During the ceremony for the Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking, a panel of former Scrivner winners shared their thoughts on identifying grant projects that are innovative and make a difference.  The panel included Geri Mannion (2009 recipient, Carnegie Corporation of New York…

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…

Washington Snapshot - October 5, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot Tax Reform Update: Budget Consideration Maintains Tax Reform Momentum HHS Secretary Price Resigns IRS Changes 1023-EZ Form In the States: Oregon Supreme Court Upholds Portland Arts Tax News from the Hill So, What's Up with Tax Reform? In the coming months…

Webinar Recording: National Trust for Historic Preservation: African American Cultural Heritage Fund

Recording
  The events in Charlottesville and the subsequent debates regarding the treatment of monuments and memorials to Confederate leaders and heroes has contributed to further divisions within our society. Many of our communities are grappling with these issues and seeking ways to bridge the…

Why I Needed the Career Pathways Program

Editorial Note: Pooja Joshi O’Hanlon is one of 24 members of the 2017 cohort of Career Pathways. Over the next week, she and other Pathways participants are sharing their experiences in the Council on Foundations blog. Applications for the Career Pathways program are currently being accepted until…

Global Philanthropy Update - September 2017

September represents the start of a new school year, and at the Council our global program has been incredibly busy this month, from disaster response to major programming alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During this 2017 hurricane season, we have witnessed several storms…

New Safe Harbor Procedures for Equivalency Determinations

Tax practitioners love “safe harbors” or specific guidelines that can be followed to ensure a taxpayer or exempt organization is in compliance with applicable tax law. For charitable organizations making grants internationally, September 14, 2017 was a good day because the IRS issued Revenue…
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