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. 

Council on Foundations Statement on the House Passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill: “Just minutes ago, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. A once-in-a-generation opportunity for tax reform has been missed. The negative impacts of this bill on…

#CFWeek: Community Foundations: An Innovative Model With a High Code of Conduct

During this year’s Community Foundation Week, I’m reflecting on the innovative model of philanthropy that is the community foundation. When I joined the Council in April 2016, I was new to the philanthropic sector. However, coming from an organization where I was providing direct legal…

#CFWeek: Community Foundations Crack the Code Books with Creativity, Innovation, and Goodwill

This month marks my 20-year anniversary of passing the bar and becoming an attorney, and sometimes I think I’ve heard it all when it comes to nonprofit law.  Thank goodness for the Council’s community foundation members, who continually challenge me with unique and interesting questions, and…

National Standards: What You Need to Know About the New Process

The majority of community foundations in the U.S. are accredited via the National Standards program, highlighting each’s accountability, integrity, and overall commitment to excellence in community philanthropy. However, with a relatively high turnover rate among community foundation staff, keeping…

Joint Statement of the National Council of Nonprofits and the Council on Foundations

The Council on Foundations and the National Council of Nonprofits stand united in opposing H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, because of significant changes to proven tax policies that have served the American people well, most notably the following: Severely Cutting Back Charitable Giving:…

This #CFWeek, We Celebrate More than 25 Years of Local Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of blogs to mark Community Foundation Week, which occurs November 12 – 18. We encourage community foundations to engage with the Council all week via social media using #CFWeek. Be sure to tag us @COF_ so we can retweet your stories of local impact! For…

Washington Snapshot: TAKE ACTION NOW to Protect Charitable Giving

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot House marks up tax reform bill; Action in the Senate imminent New Report Details Recommendations for Combatting the Opioid Crisis In the States: Election Day 2017 results, New Mexico alleges solicitation violations on behalf of nonprofits News from the Hill…

With Innovation Breakfast Series, Foundation Finds New Approach to Economic Development

Since 1978, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has facilitated philanthropic efforts to respond to critical needs in our region. In more recent years, however— especially since the launch of our Innovation Fund in 2012—the Community Foundation has also worked to seed new, innovative…

Statement on the Joint Committee On Taxation’s Charitable Deduction Analysis

On November 8, 2017, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill: “The Joint Committee on Taxation has released an analysis of the impact of the recently introduced tax reform bill on charitable deductions for fiscal year 2018 which finds…

Community Foundation Update – November 2017

November ushers in the giving season and time to reflect on achievements met or unmet, and new aspirations for the coming year. Yet, this particularly November, turbulence across America continues. We are living with new American realities—a recent shooting in a small town outside San Antonio on…

Washington Snapshot: BREAKING NEWS - House Unveils Long-Awaited Tax Reform Bill

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot House GOP Leaders Release Tax Reform Bill Treasury Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Named Acting Commissioner of IRS Congress Must Raise Debt Limit by January 2018 In the States: Locals Focus on Supporting Community Nonprofits and Volunteers, North Carolina…

Council on Foundations Statement on House Tax Reform Legislation

Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill: “For nearly 70 years, the Council on Foundations has worked to inspire and expand a culture of charitable giving and enhance philanthropy’s ability to contribute to vibrant, healthy and…

Data: Not Another Four Letter Word

Members, View the Recording This is the first part of a webinar series on digitalization and its impact on community foundations — Digitalization and the Community Foundation Business Model: Data and Transperancy. Data can be overwhelming. But is it possible to harness your foundation’s data and…

Webinar Recording: Navigating the 2018 Federal Budget Landscape

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Measuring the State of Disaster Philanthropy 2017

Every year, billions of dollars are distributed in response to disasters and humanitarian crises. How much of this comes from foundations? What are other sources of funding? How much funding addresses long-term recovery and disaster risk reduction, in addition to emergency response and immediate…

Washington Snapshot: Release of Tax Reform Bill Imminent

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot Tax Reform Update: House votes on key measure to advance tax reform; tax bill expected next week IRS releases 2017-2018 Priority Guidance In the States: Elected official fundraising for nonprofits under review in the states News from the Hill So, What's Up…
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