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. 

Top Ten Insights for Foundation Investors in a Mature Market

Last week I had the honor of moderating a panel at the 2017 Council on Foundations Endowments & Finance Summit. In the session, “Foundation Investing in Mature Markets: Challenges and Rewards,” I was joined by three esteemed colleagues, representing foundations with over $3 billion in endowed…

Inclusive Economic Prosperity in the South

What is Philanthropy's Role in Economic Development? To understand the role that philanthropy can play in inclusive economic prosperity, it helps to examine the landscape that contributes to a healthy economic ecosystem that is both equitable and innovative. The Council on Foundations and our…

Community Foundation Marketing Toolkits

Toolkit
Through partnership and with the leadership of Council of Michigan Foundations, the Council on Foundations is excited to share customizable marketing tools repackaged from the original portfolio created by the National Marketing Action Team (NMAT).   Whether you need to jumpstart your…

Efficient Impact Frontier

Members, View the Recording Are you curious how to balance impact with risk and return? Join us for a conversation with Michael McCreless, Senior Director of Strategy & Impact at Root Capital, an agricultural impact investor that grows rural prosperity in environmentally vulnerable areas in…

Mexico City: An Opportunity to Think Big, Together

The Council on Foundations is thrilled to co-host the first-ever North American Community Foundations Summit in Mexico City. I am excited to think creatively and collaboratively with philanthropy peers from across North America to ensure that our changing communities leave no one behind. There are…

The Success of the 2017 Endowments and Finance Summit

We just concluded the third Council on Foundations Endowments and Finance Summit, where more than 100 foundation CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, board members and other leaders met to consider the future of the philanthropic sector. Based on post-event buzz and input from participants, it seems to have been our…

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…
Subscribe to Community Foundations