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. 

Better Stories, Better Language: Showing Our Work

How do we show we’re making a difference? How can you evaluate your narrative strategy? Metrics provide tangible evidence of the effectiveness of your communications efforts, which is crucial, especially if your efforts are underfunded. They hold you accountable to your strategy by tracking…

Better Stories, Better Language: Making the Case

You understand the value of better stories and better language, but you may not have the support and resources you need to engage in this work long-term. This workshop will help you identify your specific needs in terms of resources, skills and support, as well as the people who control those…

Better Stories, Better Language: Stories of Value and Values

Learn to tell fascinating, compelling stories about how change happens and how the charitable sector works with communities to make a difference on today’s most pressing issues. We’ll discuss how narratives are formed, the essential elements of stories that build trust and understanding, and how to…

Community Philanthropy Update - July 2025

This month's Community Philanthropy Update announces the beginning of the Fiscal Year 2024 CF Insights survey. Participate before the October 3, 2025 deadline! 

SDG Learning Circle for Foundations - August 2025

Join us for this peer-led event dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work. Connect with foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development…

Leading Locally All Year Long - 2025

Leading Locally All Year Long Even though the conference is over, the learning continues! Our Leading Locally All Year Long webinar series explores topics designed specifically for community foundations and place-based funders, including some of our most popular sessions from Leading Locally 2025…

Washington Snapshot: H.R.1 signed into law

Last week, both the House and Senate passed the budget reconciliation package. President Trump signed it into law on July 4. We outline the key provisions that impact philanthropy. Plus Texas floods, IRS and churches, relocating HUD, Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals, new state…

The Role of Community Philanthropy in Advancing Immigrant Inclusion

Local foundations play a critical role in fostering welcoming environments for immigrants. Leaders from the Walder Foundation and Welcoming America will share examples, lessons learned, and strategies for advancing immigrant inclusion — providing actionable insights for attendees to implement in…

Investing in Constructive Journalism

Constructive Journalism, a method from Denmark, offers a way to center community needs while fostering civic dialogue. By funding this approach, philanthropy empowers journalism that helps people hear each other and find local solutions. This webinar will explore how the Community Foundation for…

Philanthropy's Response to Texas Floods

Overview Extreme rainfall in central Texas led to unprecedented, catastrophic flooding. At least 120 people have died and rescuers are still working to find dozens of missing people. Flash flood warnings are still in effect for parts of central Texas and a Major Disaster Declaration has been…

Washington Snapshot: One Big Beautiful Bill in the Senate

How does the Senate's version of the budget reconciliation bill affect the philanthropic sector? Find out in this budget reconciliation-focused edition of Snapshot.

Community Philanthropy Update - June 2025

This month's Community Philanthropy Update announces our new Legal Support Fund and expanded legal resources for community foundations will help you navigate growing legal and regulatory threats.

Designing a Foundation for Both Place-Based and Systems Change

In 2024, the Best Buy Foundation took an audacious leap. Building on its history of place-based work in its hometown of Minneapolis-St. Paul, it launched a national systems change effort around economic mobility for young people. This created a tension between its local and national strategies that…

How Foundations Can Affect Family Economic Stability Through Advocacy

How can funders drive lasting, systemic change in their communities? In this session, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and The Pew Charitable Trusts will highlight recent collaborative efforts in Tennessee to reform court-enforced debt collection practices. Through real-world…

Leading Locally 2027

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Expanded Legal Support - Center for Community Foundations

Legal Compliance Guidance
After listening, research, and consultation with the field, the Council on Foundations is expanding legal support to help community foundations prepare for—and respond to—threats that could shape the future of the sector.  The resources presented on this page provide additional analysis,…
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