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. 

Community Philanthropy Update - January 2026

Here's what you can look forward to with National Standards in 2026, including a review committee to examine all 26 standards.

Coming Together, Not Apart: Publications

Publication
Coming Together, Not Apart, is a three-publication series exploring philanthropy's involvement in developing the heartset, mindset, and skillset to lead collaboratively across differences. Specifically:Part 1: How Philanthropy Supports Connection in a Time of Dangerous DivisionComing…

Washington Snapshot: Foundations on the Hill

Foundations on the Hill 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for the philanthropic sector. Plus, new legislation targeting nonprofits, federal government funding, and more.

Better Stories, Better Language: A Communications Workshop Series 2026

After a year of research, the Council and the University of Florida’s Center for Public Interest Communications released “Philanthropy’s New Voice: Building Trust With Deeper Stories and Clear Language" in April 2024. As the largest study of narratives in philanthropy, it offers science-backed…

Coming Together, Not Apart: Building the Hearts, Minds, and Skills for Leading Across Differences

Publication
Coming Together, Not Apart: Building the Hearts, Minds, and Skills for Leading Across Differences is the third of three Council on Foundations publications exploring philanthropy's involvement in developing the heartset, mindset, and skillset to lead collaboratively across differences. It discusses…

Scholarship Exchange: Peer Event

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarship Exchange: Peer Event

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarship Exchange: Peer Event and Book Club

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarships Exchange: Book Club

This peer space is curated for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs, designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you are new to managing…

Scholarships Exchange: Peer Event & Book Club

Topic: Supporting Students Beyond the AwardJoin this peer event to explore how scholarship programs can support beyond the financial award through mentorship, networking, and wrap around services that address real-life challenges. Together, we will share creative strategies for building meaningful…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - December 2026

Topic: Growing Unrestricted Assets, A Practice-Based Conversation Get ready to roll up your sleeves! In this interactive session on growing unrestricted assets, we will dive into hands-on, practice-based discussions and role-playing exercises. You’ll explore strategies for having donor…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - October 2026

Topic: From Frustration to Function: Real-World CRM Solutions for Donor Services Featured Speaker: Jason Arbacheski, CAP, Senior Philanthropy Planning Officer, Chester County Community FoundationJoin fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a virtual meet-up focused on CRM…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - August 2026

Topic: Mapping the Journey - Creative Approaches to Donor Services Featured Speakers: Bea Thomas, Donor Services Officer and Becca Root, Senior Donor Services and Gift Planning Officer, Pittsburgh FoundationDonor stewardship isn’t just a checklist – it’s a journey. Join this peer discussion on…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - June 2026

Topic: Endowment Funds and Nonprofit Endowments Join fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a virtual meet-up focused on endowment funds and nonprofit endowments. This peer-to-peer discussion will explore common challenges and practical approaches to structuring, managing…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - April 2026

Topic: Speaking the Same Language: Partnering with Professional Advisors From referrals to relationships, working effectively with professional advisors such as CPAs and Attorneys can bolster donor services opportunities. This conversation will explore what successful advisor partnerships look…

Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services - February 2026

Topic: Donor Engagement StrategiesHow do you make donors feel truly seen and valued without getting lost in the logistics of providing touchpoints at scale? Join your fellow community foundation donor service professionals for a peer discussion on donor engagement and stewardship, exploring how…
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