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. 

The Top 5 Reasons Your Community Foundation Should Be Accredited

In today’s environment, philanthropic organizations face scrutiny unlike ever before, from increased regulations at the state and federal level to media scrutiny from local and national outlets.. The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Accreditation Program represents a community…

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…

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…

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…

Our Nation's Giving Trends: What Does the Giving USA Report Mean for Foundations?

Members, View the Recording Charitable giving surged to $410 billion in 2017, the highest ever, according to Giving USA 2018: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2017. Foundation grants for the year grew to $67 billion. But can the growth sustain itself and how will future giving be…

Philanthropy's Role in Strengthening Democracy

View the Recording Join foundations and philanthropy serving organizations from across the country for a webinar on July 11th at 2pm EST. “Philanthropy's Role in Strengthening Democracy” is co-sponsored by Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and Nonprofit VOTE. The webinar…

Washington Snapshot: New Study Estimates Charitable Giving Faces $17 Billion Decline in 2018, House Considering New Round of Tax Cuts

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… New Study Estimates $17 Billion Drop in Charitable Giving for 2018 Tax Cuts 2.0? New UBIT Rules for Nonprofits Might be Delayed Wyden Calls for Investigation in Misuse of Charitable Organizations 2020 Census Public Comment Opportunity Marc Short Leaving…

Leading Together 2019 Conference - Networking Events

Networking Events #Leadingtogether2019 is the place to connect with leaders in philanthropy, government, and other sectors — and to create future opportunities for collaboration. While every minute at at the conference is an opportunity to network, these events are tailored for you to…

Leading Together 2019 Conference - Preconference Programming

Preconference Programming We affered three (3) preconference and three (3) site sessions for attendees interested in diving deep into hot topics impacting philanthropy now and seeing and supporting local philanthropy in action in the field. Sessions took place on Monday, April 29, 2019, from…

Where Are the Children? Family Separation Becomes U.S. Immigration Enforcement Policy

View the Recording Since October 2017, the U.S. government has forcibly separated at least 2,400 children—including hundreds who are under four years old—from their parents as they arrive on our southern border seeking refuge. Attorneys and other humanitarian aid workers are reporting significant…

Washington Snapshot: House Continues Attack on Nonprofit Nonpartisanship, Council Releases Analysis of REDUCE Act

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… House Appropriations Committee Advances Measure to Weaken Johnson Amendment New Analysis of the REDUCE Act Trump Administration to Release Plan for Reorganizing Executive Branch Primary Elections Held in ME, NV, ND, SC, and VA In the State: Blue States…

Meet the 2018 Interns

I have been eager to intern at the Council on Foundations since I received my acceptance letter. While coming into this experience, I did not know what exactly the Council was, I am excited to learn more about the sector and help achieve the organization’s goals. I am 1 of 7 interns here at CoF for…

Programming

Thursday, September 6 Opening Plenary - 9:15 am - 10:30 am Harnessing the Momentum, Finding Opportunities, Building Stronger Futures  We all wish we could predict the future. For many foundation leaders, this superpower would help them plan for and navigate global financial issues that force…

Community Philanthropy Update—June 2018

As we enter summer, it’s the time of year when many in the community foundation world may be experiencing what I used to call “the scholarship slump.” When I ran a community foundation, this is a term of endearment I used for when your team has survived the first round of scholarship activities—…

Washington Snapshot: Senate Committee Considers Tax Court Nominees, Highlights of Midterm Primary Results

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Senate Finance Committee Hearing Set to Consider Tax Court Nominees Sen. Johnson Calls on IRS to Eliminate Schedule B Start Now Helping Your Community Prepare for the 2018 Hurricane Season Primaries in CA, IA, and MT Highlight Busy Primary Day Across the…

Washington Snapshot: Charitable Giving Discussed in Senate Hearing, Attacks Against Nonprofit Nonpartisanship Continue

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Bill Targeting University Endowments and Contributions Introduced Charitable Giving Discussed at Senate Hearing Attacks Against Johnson Amendment Continue Ways and Means Announces Subcommittee Updates IRS Provides Guidance for Grantmakers and Donors…
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