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. 

Restoring Local Connection: Land, Water, and Culture at Owamniyomni

This session is offsite. Space on the bus is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Alternatively, the 1.7-mile walk would take approximately 40 minutes each way. Join us for an immersive education session at Owamniyomni, the Dakota name for the sacred site of the Mississippi…

Summer Member Policy Briefing - August 2025

The Council is hosting a series of Member Policy Briefings as a forum for philanthropic leaders to navigate the shifting landscape. This briefing is exclusively for leaders from Council members, including Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors to stay informed and exchange perspectives on how…

Summer Member Policy Briefing - July 2025

The Council is hosting a series of Member Policy Briefings as a forum for philanthropic leaders to navigate the shifting landscape. This briefing is exclusively for leaders from Council members, including Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors to stay informed and exchange perspectives on how…

Washington Snapshot: Ongoing budget reconciliation

In this edition of Washington Snapshot we share additional budget reconciliation updates after the Ways and Means Committee approved the tax bill component of the broader reconciliation bill along party lines early Wednesday morning. Plus, resources to reach out to your members of Congress about…

Briefing on the Tax Bill: Post Ways & Means Mark-up

Please note that the content of this webinar was recorded on May 15, 2025, and is subject to change. Please see the Latest Updates & Resources Page for the most current information.  The House Committee on Ways and Means formally announced last week that it will mark up its tax…

The Council Opposes Tax Increase That Would Hurt Local Nonprofits and Communities

Congress should protect philanthropy’s ability to support causes from food pantries to disaster relief. Today, House Republicans released the updated text of a tax package, which includes a proposed increase in the excise tax on net investment income for private foundations. In addition to a…

One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy

With many of the provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) (P.L. 115-97) expiring at the end of 2025, the 119th Congress is crafting tax legislation through the reconciliation process that will extend the TCJA and included the Republican majorities’ priorities. Read more about the budget…

The Charitable Sector Urgently Needs Your Voice

The charitable sector urgently needs your voice. On Tuesday, May 13, Congress will begin considering a tax package that will likely include a substantial increase to the excise tax on net investment income for private foundations. For the largest private foundations, it may expand to as much as 10…

Tell Your Members of Congress to Protect Philanthropy

Find your member of Congress and their contact information We're asking you to reach out to your Member of Congress to voice concerns with provisions in the tax bill that could impact philanthropy. You may only have a couple of minutes to make your point as staff will be receiving similar requests…

Washington Policy Brief

With shifts and pivots coming almost daily, we’ve been keeping an eye on the news out of Washington and its impact on the charitable sector. This policy briefing will provide a space for the Council staff to brief attendees on the latest policy changes and to identify ways for funders to take…

From Community to Movement: How collective action for social change starts and grows

Social movements are responsible for most of the positive changes in our politics, economics, and culture. But the process of building one – with real people struggling with real problems – can be mysterious. In this session, participants will learn how to recognize a movement and how its elements…

Puppy Room

Need we say more? Start your morning off right by visiting our puppy room and hugging a lovable, adoptable pup. We are partnering with Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue to bring the joy of puppies to Leading Locally 2025.  Sponsored by Prebys Foundation

Puppy Room

Need we say more? Start your morning off right by visiting our puppy room and hugging a lovable, adoptable pup. We are partnering with Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue to bring the joy of puppies to Leading Locally 2025.  Sponsored by Prebys Foundation

Washington Snapshot: More budget reconciliation updates

In this edition of Washington Snapshot we share additional budget reconciliation updates as several House Committees began markup. Plus, House oversight agenda, "skinny" budget, Executive Order roundup, pending state legislation, and more.

Losing Tax-Exempt Status

Legal Compliance Guidance
It is extremely rare for an organization to lose its tax-exempt status. When it happens, it's typically the end result of a three-step process: (1) The IRS conducts an examination of the tax-exempt organization; (2) the IRS issues a letter to the organization proposing revocation; then (3) the…

Risk Management Resources

Legal Compliance Guidance
Internal Risk Management for Foundations In response to the ongoing changes to the legal and policy landscape, it has become increasingly important for foundations and charitable nonprofits to engage best practices for mitigating their potential legal and operational risks. We worked with outside…
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