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. 

We Stand with ABFE

The Council on Foundations joins with other national philanthropy serving organizations to stand in solidarity with ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities in their call for philanthropy to take action on anti-Black racism. ABFE is the oldest affinity group in the country, borne out…

COVID-19: Support for Mental Health, Bereavement and Grief

With COVID-19 there seem to be more questions than answers, particularly for funders who want to respond effectively and efficiently. The Council is a co-sponsor of the COVID-19 webinar series from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), which brings expert panelists together to address some of…

COVID-19: Managing a Global Response

View the Recording With COVID-19 there seem to be more questions than answers, particularly for funders who want to respond effectively and efficiently. The Council is a co-sponsor of the COVID-19 webinar series from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), which brings expert panelists together…

Career Pathways Alumni | Community Building Hour

The Council on Foundations’ Career Pathways program (CP) has strengthened and expanded the capacity of philanthropic professionals within the leadership pipeline who are considered, appointed, and retained in senior and executive philanthropic leadership positions. The Council is committed to…

Washington Snapshot: Analysis of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020

The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard How Philanthropy Can Respond: Center for Disaster Philanthropy Council on Foundations: COVID-19 Resource Hub List of COVID-19 Response Funds Council's Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide…

Career Pathways 2020 | December Community Building Hour

Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give the Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector…

Career Pathways 2020 | September Community Building Hour

Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector solutions…

Career Pathways 2020 | August Community Building Hour

Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give the Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector…

Career Pathways 2020 | June Community Building Hour

Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector solutions…

Increasing Giving During COVID-19: Thoughts for Philanthropy

In response to the COVID-19 health crisis and Philanthropy’s Commitment Pledge, funders around the globe have committed to loosening grant restrictions, converting grants to general operating support and more. However, many foundations have questions about if they should and can increase giving…

Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010)

External Resource
Bill #5 – Enacted June 5, 2020 Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide for the Charitable Sector This is a summary of the fifth bill Congress passed to help with the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. This guide highlights the specific provisions of that bill that may impact the charitable…

European Philanthropy at the Nexus of Disability and the SDGs

External Resource
This publication, jointly developed by Fundación ONCE and Philea (formerly the European Foundation Centre), focuses on how the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals are serving as a framework for foundations to develop their action on disability inclusion. The publication includes key…

Washington Snapshot: The Senate passed The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020

The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard How Philanthropy Can Respond: Center for Disaster Philanthropy Council on Foundations: COVID-19 Resource Hub List of COVID-19 Response Funds Council's Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide…

Community Foundation CEO Virtual Roundtable: July 2020

  The Council and CEONet as we reconvened CEOs and Executive Directors of community foundations for a third virtual roundtable in support of the continued efforts by the field to respond and adapt to the challenges of COVID-19. Executives explored in an open format pressing matters and…

Legal Office Hours for Community Foundations

Members View the Recording Over the past weeks, COVID-19 has changed most community foundation's disaster and crisis management plans by the hour. As primary local funders throughout this pandemic, many are launching local response funds, shifting to immediate operational and unrestricted grants,…

Webinar Recording: Legal Office Hours for Community Foundations May 28, 2020

 
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